Honolulu's Land Use Ordinance prohibits any exterior signage indicating a home is used for a business. Under ROH § 21-5.350, home occupations must be invisible from the street — no signs, displays, or advertising may be mounted on or near the dwelling.
ROH § 21-5.350 (Home Occupations) states that there shall be no exterior sign that shows the building is used for anything other than residential purposes. This applies to all home occupations in residential and country zoning districts. The broader sign regulations in ROH Chapter 21, Article 7 (§ 21-7.40) allow only one non-illuminated identity sign up to 4 square feet per lot in residential districts for permitted non-dwelling uses, but this exception does not extend to home occupations, which must remain outwardly indistinguishable from standard residences. Violations may be reported to the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting.
Violations of ROH § 21-5.350 may result in DPP notices of violation, fines, and required removal of signage; continued non-compliance can escalate to permit revocation for the home occupation.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Honolulu County.
See how other cities in Honolulu County handle signage rules.
See how Honolulu's signage rules rules stack up against other locations.
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