Bill > HB1734

This bill aims to address housing affordability by prohibiting counties from imposing certain restrictive lot size and dwelling specifications for residential properties within urban districts, which are areas designated for development. Specifically, it limits the minimum lot size to 1,200 square feet, the minimum width to 30 feet, and the minimum depth to 40 feet, and also restricts setback requirements, the number of parking spaces, and the amount of open space. Additionally, it allows dwellings to have up to three stories. However, these new rules do not apply to areas designated as special management areas, flood hazard zones, tsunami evacuation zones, or other hazard areas, nor do they affect shoreline areas. The bill also allows for a petition process where neighborhoods or contiguous areas can request to retain or establish specific requirements if 75% of parcel owners agree, and it clarifies that this act does not override essential public health and safety standards like wastewater, water availability, stormwater management, or fire safety, though these cannot be used to enforce larger lot sizes than permitted by this bill.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1734&year=2026