HI HR4

Hawaii needs 65,000 new housing units over the next 10 years to meet growing demand, but Honolulu's building permit approval process averages more than 17 months, the longest wait time in the nation.

Lengthy permitting delays increase housing costs, discourage construction, and raise barriers for entrepreneurs and residents trying to build accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and ohana units.

The resolution urges the City and County of Honolulu to reduce building permit approval times to less than six months and streamline the permitting process for ADUs and ohana units rented for more than 180 days.

Bureaucratic delays in permitting are identified as a major factor contributing to low housing elasticity and unaffordable housing, with developers often forced to hire private third-party companies to navigate code compliance.

Certified copies of the resolution are directed to be sent to the Mayor of Honolulu and the Director of the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting.