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TINY HOUSES IN HAWAII

Tiny house friendliness:
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Tiny house builders in Hawaii

Tiny House Regulations and Zoning Requirements in Hawaii

When it comes to being tiny house friendly, Hawaii falls somewhere in the middle.
The concept has not fully been embraced by the laws, but there are clear initiatives to change this, owing to the fact that the state relies a great deal on tourism.

Statewide, tiny houses fall in the category of trailers, and are regulated by the DMV.

Hawaii allows house trailers to be used as dwellings on private property. However, it gets very tough on public property. Living or sleeping in a trailer on public land is strictly forbidden at night. This however excludes designated public parks or camps.

Here’s what the law states:

§291C-112 Certain uses of parked vehicles prohibited between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.; definition; exceptions.

(a) No person shall use any vehicle for purposes of human habitation, whether or not the vehicle is designed or equipped for that purpose, while the vehicle is parked on any roadway, street, or highway or other public property between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. or while the vehicle is parked on private property without authorization of the owner or occupant authorizing both the parking of the vehicle there and its use for purposes of human habitation.

(b) As used in this section “purposes of human habitation” includes use as a dwelling place, living abode, or sleeping place.

(c) This section does not apply to the parking of vehicles and their use for purposes of human habitation in parks, camps, and other recreational areas in compliance with law and applicable rules and regulations, or under emergency conditions in the interest of vehicular safety.

(d) The department of health shall promulgate rules and regulations, pursuant to chapter 91, necessary for the administration of this section. [L 1972, c 48, pt of §2]

The fact that there is no statewide definition or classification of tiny houses, other than those on wheels or chasis, can at times complicate matters.
For example, it makes no sense having your tiny home on a permanent foundation licensed by the DMV.

There is however one specific consideration in the state. Farm dwellings on agricultural lots, with at least 220 square feet are specifically mentioned and allowed in the laws.

These are encouraged in an initiative that was launched to help solve the shortage of farm worker housing.

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