Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) — in Hawaii
April 3, 2021 | #Hawaii, #Tips, www.Hawaii.Bio, How to build a house, Modular house in Hawaii
As you walk the streets of Honolulu, Haleiwa, or almost any area of Hawaii, you may notice that some single-family homes are large, housing multiple people or families. Real estate in Hawaii is scary, so many people want to maximize their lots. Dreams of home offices, home gyms, rental income, a large family, parents moving, etc. can make a small home feel much larger.
And as more people look to maximize their lots in Hawaii, you may have heard of the term «ADU» or «accessory dwelling unit.» Building an ADU is a permitted way to make your home expansion dreams come true—as long as your site and building design meet certain requirements. Below, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about building an ADU in Hawaii.
What is an ADU in Hawaii?
Accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, were introduced in Honolulu in 2015 as one possible solution to Hawaii’s housing shortage. An ADU is another residence or «dwelling unit» on a single-family property. It includes a fully equipped kitchen with oven, bathroom, sleeping area and at least one parking space. Elsewhere, ADUs are called mother-in-law apartments or granny apartments.
An ADU can be a completely separate building, an extension of the main home, or a conversion of an existing structure. This means that the landowner of a single-family lot could build a detached small home, convert a large barn into a home, or hide an existing portion of the home, such as a garage or den, to include a kitchen and bathroom, and then create an ADU. .
Here are the three main categories of ADUs in Hawaii:
- Indoor ADU: These are located inside the main home and are often built from converted spaces, such as enclosing a porch or garage, or converting one floor of the home.
- Attached ADU: These are connected to the main house but are brand new buildings.
- Freestanding ADU: This is a separate, self-contained structure. Many people will build a brand new home on the same lot as an ADU in Hawaii, or sometimes homeowners may convert large barns into ADUs.
What is an Ohana unit?
Not to be confused with an ADU, an Ohana unit is also a permitted second home on a single-family lot. As the name suggests, they are typically designed for family members who need a place for their parents, children, aunts, uncles or other multi-generational family members.
The main difference between an ADU and an Ohana unit is that Ohana units can only have a «wet bar» or dining area with a sink, refrigerator and stove, rather than a full oven. They can also be rented to a family member only, which is agreed upon by signing a limited agreement. Ohana apartments were first introduced to Oahu around the late 1980s, and many single-family homes in Hawaii are designed for multi-generational living—some legal, some not.
Why should I build an ADU on my property?
There are many benefits to building an ADU in Hawaii, including the following:
- Rental income. Earn extra income by renting out your ADU. This income can subsidize your monthly mortgage payment. Please note that ADUs must be rented for six months or more and cannot be legally used as a vacation rental or Airbnb—unless you obtain a separate conditional use permit.
- Diversity of neighbors. If you rent, you can allow some people to live in your area who otherwise wouldn’t. Having different income levels and people from different backgrounds can create a more affluent ‘ohana area.
- Appreciation. Building an ADU increases the value of your property. Talk to your real estate agent about the potential increase in your property value if you build an ADU.
- Infrastructure. ADUs utilize existing infrastructure such as water, electricity and waste management systems, avoiding the cost of establishing and expanding utilities in undeveloped areas.
- Preservation of the country’s county. Additions to single-family homes help prevent underdeveloped rural areas from turning into urban areas with multifamily sprawl. For example, Kakaako is an urban area with a minimum number of single-family homes, or ADUS. However, Oahu’s North Shore is considered a village or rural area and therefore homeowners may want to consider building an ADU.
- Aging in place. You may not always need to live in a three-bedroom house on your property, and it may even become too large to maintain. As you get older, you might consider moving into a smaller ADU and renting out the larger house on the lot.
- Sustainable living. Because ADUs are required to be smaller, they often produce less water. Some homeowners choose to build ADUs with solar panels, efficient appliances and other sustainability features.
What are the rules for ADUs in Hawaii?
The Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) of the City and County of Honolulu issues permits for ADUs and is thus responsible for regulating them on the island of Oahu. To legally build one of these free houses, you need to follow eight basic rules:
- Your lot must be zoned one of the following: R-3.5, R-5, R-7.5, R-10, R-20, Country District.
- Your lot must be at least 3,500 square feet. For lots ranging from 3,500 to 4,999 square feet, a 400-square-foot ADU can be built. For lots of 5,000 square feet or larger, an 800 square foot ADU can be built.
- Currently, you should have one full-fledged dwelling or house on your site. An ADU cannot be built on lots that already have duplexes, an apartment building, or more than one home.
- Your property may not be landlocked, which means it must at least be connected to the road via a driveway. This driveway may also be an easement across the adjacent property.
- You must have room for one more parking space in the car park lot. This requirement is waived if your site is within one-half mile of a planned Honolulu Transit Rail station.
- The landowner or a member of the landowner’s family must reside on the property—either in the main home or in the ADU—after the ADU is completed. A non-residential building can legally be rented to non-family members.
- You do not have any covenant restrictions on your lot that prohibit ADUs. For example, if you live in a master-planned community like Ewa Beach, you may be part of a homeowners association (HOA) that prohibits the construction of ADUs. Check before applying for an ADU permit.
- Write down your agreement once the ADU is completed. Make your ADU a completely legal title with either the Bureau of Transportation or the Hawaii State Land Court. This recording also ensures that the ADU cannot be sold separately or that the lot cannot be split into two separate properties. An ADU is a legal addition to the main building on a property.
How do ADUs help with affordable housing in Hawaii?
Accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, are playing an innovative role in offering more housing in Hawaii at a reasonable price and offsetting the cost of the main dwelling unit. Land in the Hawaiian Islands is limited and there is a housing shortage in the state, especially in the city of Honolulu. A state report that measured housing demand in Hawaii from 2015 to 2025 estimated that about 65,000 more housing units would be needed between 2015 and 2025. In addition to limited housing, the cost of living in Hawaii is higher than most places. in the US, ADUs offer one option that can help make living in paradise possible.
ADUs offer one option that can help make living in paradise possible, as they often offer additional rental inventory for renters or additional income for homeowners. In addition, ADUs typically have lower rents than rental units in condominium buildings, and the State of Hawaii hopes they can continue to play a larger role in solving Hawaii’s housing shortage.
Where can I find more information about building an ADU in Hawaii?
ADUs in Hawaii are a fairly new option for landowners, and they create a tempting option for additional rental income. For more information, contact a trusted Hawaii contractor or the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting .
Добавить комментарий
Для отправки комментария вам необходимо авторизоваться.