Hawai'i County Code 25-4-13 permits a home occupation as incidental and subordinate to a dwelling, in the State Land Use Urban District and any zoning district allowing a single-family dwelling, provided it does not change the character or external appearance of the home.
Under HCC 25-4-13(a), a home occupation is allowed in any district where a dwelling is located, as long as it stays incidental and subordinate and does not change the dwelling's character or external appearance. The activity must be conducted entirely within the dwelling, or if outside, screened from public view. Only one non-household employee is permitted. Properties in the State Land Use rural or agricultural districts need a special permit (25-4-13(d)). Certain uses - contractor storage yards, auto repair/painting for hire, and commercial animal boarding - are never allowed as home occupations.
Zoning Code violations may require the operator to pay a civil fine not to exceed $500 per day for each day the violation persists (HCC 25-2-35), and unpaid fines become a lien on the property.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Hawaii County, HI
Hawai'i County has no separate hoarding ordinance; the matter is handled under state cruelty law. Depriving pet animals of necessary sustenance is cruelty in...
Hawaii County, HI
Ordinance No. 25-63 (Bill 51, 2025) makes it illegal to feed feral animals, including cats, chickens, pigs and goats, on County of Hawai'i property, to prote...
Hawaii County, HI
Home composting is allowed and encouraged in Hawai'i County. The county runs green-waste diversion at its transfer stations and recycling programs, but there...
Hawaii County, HI
The County of Hawai'i has no ordinance banning or specifically regulating artificial turf on residential yards. Installation must still meet zoning setbacks,...
Hawaii County, HI
There is no county rule requiring native landscaping, but the Big Island is ground-zero for invasive-species control. Planting or spreading state-listed noxi...
Hawaii County, HI
Rainwater catchment is legal and common on the Big Island — many Puna and off-grid homes rely on it. The County Department of Water Supply does not recognize...
See how Hawaii County's zoning restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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