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HCC §25-3-3

How zoning districts are created and which maps control

Read the official text at hawaiicounty.gov ↗

This section explains how the County creates or changes zoning districts. Districts are set up using a surveyor's map and a written boundary description, and the official zoning map is kept for public viewing. If there is a conflict, the written ordinance or the later ordinance wins.

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The ordinance, as written (Hawaiʻi County) — Method and effect of establishment of districts

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.

(a) Any of the districts listed in sections 25-3-1 and 25-3-2 shall be established for any portion of the County by being described by metes and bounds and in map form as prepared by a licensed surveyor; except that, when deemed appropriate by the director, other means of description may be used in lieu of metes and bounds to establish any district under section 25-3-2. In case of conflict between a zoning map and metes and bounds description delineating district boundaries, the latter shall control. In case of conflict between a zoning map, and any summary of ordinances as provided by subsection (d) below on one hand, and duly enacted ordinance on the other, the provisions of the ordinance shall be authoritative. As between ordinances, the provisions of an ordinance enacted later in time shall control. (b) The zone maps in article 8 of this chapter, adopted by ordinance numbers 74 (1967), 109 (1967), 110 (1967), 111 (1967), 187 (1968), and 190 (1969), and any amendments to these maps by ordinance shall constitute the zoning map of the County. An up-to-date copy of the zoning map shall be kept for public display in the office of the director. (c) The zoning map and all notations, references, data and other information shown thereon are incorporated by reference and made a part of this chapter. The adoption of or the change in the boundary of any district shall be by ordinance and shall constitute an amendment to this chapter; provided, that nonsignificant changes to the boundary of any district may be administratively approved by the director as provided under section 25-2-45. (d) The contents of an ordinance or any portion thereof concerning the adoption of or a change in the boundary of any district need not be set out in full in any codification or recodification of, or supplementation to this chapter so long as a summary of the ordinance is included in this chapter or in an appropriate annex to this chapter. The summary which shall be maintained and updated by the director shall include at a minimum the following information: (1) Ordinance number and effective date; (2) General location of land affected or tax map key; (3) Original district designation; and (4) Final district designation. (1996, ord 96-160, sec 2; ratified April 6, 1999; am 2025, ord 25-64, sec 1.)25-3-3
Read the official text at hawaiicounty.gov ↗as published Jul 16, 2026our copy taken Aug 21, 2026

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.