HCC §5B-1-5
Rules for older buildings that were already allowed
Read the official text at hawaiicounty.gov ↗This section says that buildings that were legally allowed to be used when the county adopted this chapter can keep being used that way, as long as they are safe for people. If you change, fix, add to, or change the use of such a building, you must follow the county's existing building code.
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The ordinance, as written (Hawaiʻi County) — Existing buildings
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) Permitted buildings in existence at the time of the adoption of this chapter may have their existing permitted use or occupancy continued if such use or occupancy was legal at the time of the adoption of this chapter, provided such continued use does not constitute a hazard to the general safety and welfare of the occupants and the public. (b) Alteration, repair, addition, and change of occupancy. Alteration, repair, addition, and change of occupancy to a building or structure in existence at the time of the adoption of this chapter shall comply with the requirements of the existing building code, chapter 5C, Hawai‘i County Code. (2021, ord 21-61, sec 1.) 5B-1-5
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.