Bill > SB2948

This bill aims to address Hawaii's housing shortage and rising costs by allowing for more residential development in areas zoned for commercial use, as well as the adaptive reuse of existing commercial buildings for residential purposes. Specifically, the bill: 1) Beginning January 1, 2025, permits residential uses, including multifamily housing, in areas zoned for commercial use, with some exceptions. 2) Requires counties to adopt or amend ordinances by January 1, 2026 to allow for the adaptive reuse of existing commercial buildings for residential purposes. This includes provisions to allow for micro units, meet International Building Code requirements, exempt from additional parking or park dedication requirements, and facilitate compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The bill seeks to increase housing supply, reduce commute times, lower carbon emissions, and preserve Hawaii's natural and agricultural lands by allowing more residential development in already developed commercial areas rather than on undeveloped land.