HB 1500 Summary

• Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 46-4 to require general plans be "strictly enforced" and prohibit variances or exceptions to zoning ordinances except under exigent circumstances that cannot be addressed by other county means.

• Prohibits waiving or discounting fines or monetary penalties for zoning violations except by court order finding the penalty amount is arbitrary, capricious, or unconscionable.

• Limits injunctive relief from fines or monetary penalties to only the extent permitted under the statute.

• Changes zoning powers from "liberally construed" to "strictly construed" in favor of promoting orderly county development according to comprehensive general plans.

• Modifies nonconforming use provisions to clarify that amortization or phasing out of nonconforming uses does not apply to existing single-family, duplex, or agricultural uses.