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Kauai County Unincorporated
City Zoning Code

ARTICLE 15

Additional Dwelling Unit

§ 8-15.1 Additional Dwelling Unit on Other Than Residentially Zoned Lots.

(a) 
Additional Dwelling Unit. Notwithstanding other provisions to the contrary, for any lot where only one single family residential dwelling or farm dwelling is a generally permitted use or is allowed through a Use Permit, one additional single family residential dwelling unit (attached or detached) or farm dwelling may be developed, provided:
(1) 
All applicable County requirements, not inconsistent with Section 46-4(c), Hawai'i Revised Statutes and the County's zoning provisions applicable to residential use are met, including, but not limited to, building height, setback, maximum lot coverage, parking, and floor area requirements.
(A) 
If the additional dwelling unit is to be built in a Special Treatment District or Constraint District, all requirements of such district shall be met.
(B) 
Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, for lots in the Urban and Rural State Land Use Districts which were rezoned from Residential to Open District after September 1, 1972, the maximum lot coverage shall be the same as the Residential District requirement.
(2) 
The provisions of this Subsection shall not apply to lots developed under a project development, or other multi-family development, or similar provisions where the aggregate number of dwelling units for such development exceeds the density otherwise allowed in the zoning district.
(3) 
For lots on which an additional dwelling unit is developed, guest house allowances shall be governed by Section 8-1.4(i).
(4) 
The following public facilities are found adequate to service the additional dwelling unit:
(A) 
Public sanitary sewers, an individual wastewater system (or cesspool), or a private sanitary sewer system built to County standard and approved by the Department of Health.
(B) 
For sewered areas, the availability and capability of a public sewer system shall be confirmed in writing by the Department of Public Works. The availability of a private sewer system shall be confirmed in writing by the Department of Health.
(C) 
The availability of water shall be confirmed in writing by the Department of Water.
(D) 
Approval in writing from the Kaua'i Fire Department is required for all parcels.
(5) 
Facilities clearance may be obtained prior to application for Building Permit. Forms for facilities clearance will be available from the Building Division, Department of Public Works. The form, approved by all agencies, shall be submitted with the Building Permit application. Where complete plans and specifications are submitted for Building Permit application processing, the submission of the facilities clearance form shall be attached with the Building Permit and processed concurrently.
(6) 
Nothing contained in this Section shall affect private covenants or deed restrictions that prohibit the construction of a specified number of dwelling units on any lot.
(b) 
Expiration. Subsection (a) of this Section is hereby repealed December 31, 2006. No Building Permit shall be granted for an additional dwelling unit under Subsection (a) after such repeal date, except as provided in Subsection (d).
(c) 
Upon expiration of Subsection (a), any additional dwelling unit built pursuant to a valid Building Permit obtained under Subsection (a) shall thereafter be considered a conforming structure and use, notwithstanding Article 13 of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance relating to nonconforming structures and uses.
(d) 
Notwithstanding the expiration of Subsection (a), and subject to compliance with all applicable legal requirements and conditions, a Building Permit for an additional dwelling unit shall be granted for a lot in existence as of December 31, 2006 which, up to December 31, 2006, was eligible to apply for an additional dwelling unit under Subsection (a) and for which an ADU Facilities Clearance Form is certified as complete by the Planning Director as of June 15, 2007, or for which an ADU Facilities Clearance form was signed by the authorized employees of all agencies or departments listed in the ADU Facilities Clearance Form and submitted with a Building Permit application prior to November 22, 2006, provided that:
(1) 
The term "lot in existence as of December 31, 2006," as used in Subsection (d) shall not apply to any lot created by the relocation of a kuleana lot by consolidation and resubdivision pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 9, Kaua'i County Code 1987, as amended ("Subdivision Ordinance"), where such consolidation and resubdivision occurs after December 31, 2006.
(2) 
All applicable County requirements not inconsistent with Sec. 46-4(c), Hawai'i Revised Statutes, and the County's zoning provisions applicable to residential use are met, including, but not limited to, building height, setback, maximum lot coverage, parking, and floor area requirements.
(A) 
If the additional dwelling unit is to be built in a Special Treatment District or Constraint District, all requirements of such district shall be met.
(B) 
Notwithstanding any other provision to the contrary, for lots in the Urban and Rural State Land Use Districts which were rezoned from Residential to Open District after September 1,1972, the maximum lot coverage shall be the same as the Residential District requirement.
(3) 
The provisions of this Subsection shall not apply to lots developed under a project development, or other multi-family development, or similar provisions where the aggregate number of dwelling units for such development exceeds the density otherwise allowed in the zoning district, or where additional dwelling units are specifically prohibited by zoning ordinance.
(4) 
For lots on which an additional dwelling unit is developed, guest house allowances shall be governed by Section 8-1.4(i).
(5) 
The following public facilities are found adequate to service the additional dwelling unit:
(A) 
Public sanitary sewers, an individual wastewater system (or cesspool), or a private sanitary sewer system built to County standards and approved by the Department of Health.
(B) 
For sewered areas, the availability and capability of a public sewer system shall be confirmed in writing by the Department of Public Works. The availability of a private sewer system shall be confirmed in writing by the Department of Health.
(C) 
The availability of water (including, but not limited to, source, transmission, and storage lines/facilities) shall be confirmed in writing by the Department of Water.
(D) 
Approval in writing from the Kaua'i Fire Department is required for all parcels.
(6) 
An ADU Facilities Clearance Form as prescribed by the Planning Director shall be completed prior to application for a Building Permit and shall be submitted with the Building Permit application. Completion of the ADU Facilities Clearance Form shall not guarantee the issuance of a Building Permit. All requirements and conditions on the completed ADU Facilities Clearance Form shall be met prior to issuance of a Building Permit based on legal requirements at the time of Building Permit issuance. The Planning Director shall certify the ADU Facilities Clearance Form as complete, only if every signature blank on the Form has been signed by the respective department or agency, and the applicant has signed an affidavit prescribed by the Planning Director verifying: (A) that there is no restriction or covenant applicable in any deed, lease, or other recorded document which prohibits the construction or placement of an additional dwelling unit on the applicable lot; and (B) that the applicant understands that completion of an ADU Facilities Clearance Form does not guarantee or vest any right to a Building Permit, and that all conditions and requirements in existence at the time of Building Permit application shall be met before a Building Permit can be issued. The Planning Department shall keep a record of all ADU Facilities Clearance Forms that are issued and shall retain the original affidavits and the original ADU Facilities Clearance Forms that are certified as complete by the Department.
(7) 
The applicant shall obtain a re-certification from the Planning Department certifying that applicant has met the requirements set forth in Sec. 8-15.1(d)(6). A regulatory fee of Two hundred fifty dollars shall be charged upon registration for a re-certification. If the applicant fails to obtain a re-certification by June 30, 2017, the entitlement to the additional dwelling unit shall be deemed terminated and no building permit shall be issued for the additional dwelling unit. The Planning Director shall notify the applicant in writing that the entitlement to the additional dwelling unit has been terminated. The applicant may appeal the termination to the Planning Commission in accordance with the Rules of Practice and Procedure of the Planning Commission.
(8) 
Where a regulatory fee has been paid, the fee payment shall be deposited to the "ADU Re-certification Fund." There is hereby established and created a fund to be known as the "ADU Re-certification Fund." The fees collected pursuant to this subsection are hereby deemed appropriated upon receipt, and may be expended by the Department of Planning for the hiring of persons employed on a fee, contract, or piecework basis, or independent contractors to assist in conducting inspections. The maximum number of persons that may be hired with these fees shall be determined by the Budget Ordinance. The fees may also be expended for materials, supplies, and equipment that facilitate inspections, and for payment of overtime to conduct inspections.
(9) 
Nothing contained in this Section shall affect private covenants or deed restrictions that prohibit the construction of a specified number of dwelling units on any lot.
(10) 
Notwithstanding any law to the contrary:
(A) 
It is the applicant's responsibility to resolve any outstanding conditions with the respective governmental agencies; and
(B) 
New assessments may be applicable to the property that is the subject of the ADU Facilities Clearance Form."
(Ord. No. 935, November 14, 2012; Ord. No. 981, December 24, 2014; Ord. No. 1003, June 15, 2016; Ord. No. 1006, October 5, 2016; Ord. No. 1118, July 7, 2022; Ord. No. 1166, October 25, 2024)

§ 8-15.2 Additional Dwelling Unit on Residentially Zoned Lots.

(a) 
Notwithstanding other provisions to the contrary, for any residentially zoned lot where only one (1) single-family residential dwelling is permitted, one (1) additional single-family residential dwelling unit (attached or detached) may be developed, provided:
(1) 
All applicable County requirements, not inconsistent with Section 46-4(c), Hawai'i Revised Statutes and the County's zoning provisions applicable to residential use are met, including, but not limited to, building height, setback, maximum lot coverage, parking, and floor area requirements.
(2) 
The provisions of this Subsection shall not apply to lots developed under a project development, or other multi-family development, or similar provisions where the aggregate number of dwelling units for such development exceeds the density otherwise allowed in the zoning district.
(3) 
For residentially zoned lots on which an additional dwelling unit is developed, guest house allowances shall be governed by Section 8-1.4(i).
(4) 
The following public facilities are found adequate to service the additional dwelling unit:
(A) 
Public sanitary sewers, an individual wastewater system (or cesspool), or a private sanitary sewer system built to County standards and approved by the Department of Health.
(B) 
For sewered areas, the availability and capability of a public sewer system shall be confirmed in writing by the Department of Public Works. The availability of a private sewer system shall be confirmed in writing by the Department of Health.
(C) 
The availability of water shall be confirmed in writing by the Department of Water.
(D) 
Approval in writing from the Kaua'i Fire Department is required for all parcels.
(5) 
Facilities clearance may be obtained prior to application for Building Permit. Forms for facilities clearance will be available from the Building Division, Department of Public Works. The form, approved by all agencies, shall be submitted with the Building Permit application. Where complete plans and specifications are submitted for Building Permit application processing, the submission of the Facilities Clearance Form will be attached with the Building Permit and processed concurrently.
(6) 
Nothing contained in this Section shall affect private covenants or deed restrictions that prohibit the construction of a specified number of dwelling units on any residential lot. The provisions of this Section shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 22, Kaua'i County Code 1987, as amended, Section 22-28. Limiting or Prohibiting Long-Term Rentals, Additional Dwelling Units, Additional Rental Units, and Guest Houses.
(Ord. No. 935, November 14, 2012; Ord. No. 1106, March 15, 2022; Ord. No. 1118, July 7, 2022; Ord. No. 1166, October 25, 2024)