Home Business in Hawaii (2026)
19 rules on the books across Hawaii, 4 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Zoning & Home Occupation Permits
Which businesses you can run from home, the home-occupation permit or registration most cities require, and the conditions attached, floor area caps, signage bans, and prohibited uses.
East Honolulu
Some RestrictionsUnder the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu Land Use Ordinance (Section 21-5.50(c)(3), formerly 21-5.350), a home…
Read full rule →Hawaii County
Some RestrictionsHawai'i County Code 25-4-13 permits a home occupation as incidental and subordinate to a dwelling, in the State Land…
Read full rule →Honolulu County
Some RestrictionsHonolulu permits home occupations in dwelling units islandwide when the business stays clearly incidental and…
Read full rule →Maui County
Some RestrictionsMaui County lets residents run a business from a home in any residential district under Maui County Code Chapter 19.67…
Read full rule →Signage Rules
Whether you can put up a sign for your home business, including size limits, placement rules, and which types of signs are allowed.
East Honolulu
Heavy RestrictionsThe Revised Ordinances of Honolulu prohibit any exterior sign, display, or advertisement that shows a dwelling is used…
Read full rule →Honolulu County
Heavy RestrictionsNo onsite signs or advertisements are allowed for a home occupation anywhere on Oahu: the business must stay invisible…
Read full rule →Maui County
Heavy RestrictionsMaui County's zoning code bans exterior signage for home occupations outright: Maui County Code § 19.04.040 says no…
Read full rule →Hawaii County
Significant RestrictionsHome occupations on the Big Island can't advertise themselves outwardly at all: Hawai'i County Code section…
Read full rule →Customer Traffic Restrictions
Limits on customers and clients visiting a home business, daily visit caps, one-at-a-time rules, employee restrictions, and parking conditions that keep a home occupation from becoming a storefront.
East Honolulu
Some RestrictionsHome occupations that depend on client visits, including group instruction, must provide one off-street parking space…
Read full rule →Hawaii County
Some RestrictionsHawai'i County allows client visits at a home occupation only if you meet section 25-4-13's standards: one extra…
Read full rule →Honolulu County
Some RestrictionsHome occupations across Oahu that host client visits must provide one extra off-street parking space for every four…
Read full rule →Maui County
Some RestrictionsMaui County home businesses cannot generate more traffic than a residential neighborhood would normally see, and…
Read full rule →Cottage Food Operations
Rules for selling homemade food products from your kitchen, including what foods are allowed, labeling requirements, and annual sales limits.
Home Kitchen Operations
Permits for selling meals cooked to order in a home kitchen, which is a separate legal category from shelf-stable cottage food. Covers daily meal and gross revenue caps, health department inspection, and whether the county has to opt in before residents may apply at all.
Home Daycare
Licensing and zoning rules for running a daycare out of your home, including the number of children allowed, outdoor play area requirements, and safety standards.
Hawaii: statewide
StatewideHeavy RestrictionsHawaii requires state Department of Human Services registration or licensing for home-based child care serving…
Read full rule →East Honolulu
Some RestrictionsA family child care home is a permitted accessory use in East Honolulu under the Land Use Ordinance, allowing care for…
Read full rule →Hawaii County
Some RestrictionsA family child care home operates under the County's home occupation standards (HCC 25-4-13) plus State licensing. The…
Read full rule →Honolulu County
Some RestrictionsHonolulu allows in-home childcare as a home occupation for up to six kids, but the provider must hold a state license…
Read full rule →Maui County
Some RestrictionsMaui County treats home-based child care as a permitted use in every residential district, with the maximum number of…
Read full rule →