HCC §23-15
When a property owner can get a variance
Read the official text at hawaiicounty.gov ↗This section says when the county can grant a variance from zoning rules. A variance is only allowed if the property has special problems that block its reasonable use, there is no other good option, and the change fits the county's plans and won't hurt the neighborhood.
developershomeownerslandowners
The ordinance, as written (Hawaiʻi County) — Grounds for variances
A copy, taken August 21, 2026. The version published by Hawaiʻi County is the one that governs, and it may have changed since. Check it before relying on anything here.
No variance will be granted unless it is found that: (a) There are special or unusual circumstances applying to the subject real property which exist either to a degree which deprives the owner or applicant of substantial property rights that would otherwise be available or to a degree which obviously interferes with the best use or manner of development of that property; and (b) There are no other reasonable alternatives that would resolve the difficulty; and (c) The variance will be consistent with the general purpose of the district, the intent and purpose of this chapter, and the County general plan and will not be materially detrimental to the public welfare or cause substantial, adverse impact to an area’s character or to adjoining properties.
Published by the County of Hawaiʻi Office of the County Clerk.
LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.