Senate committees amend zoning bill to ease lot standards, allow larger ADUs and higher backyard fences

Senate Bill 2,423, a measure restricting counties from imposing certain lot requirements and dwelling specifications in urban districts, was advanced with a package of amendments intended to clarify scope and simplify compliance for counties.

The chair explained amendments that narrow the bill to housing zoning, set a 2,500‑square‑foot minimum lot size for affected provisions, remove width/depth specifications, allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) up to 1,250 square feet, and limit counties’ ability to restrict backyard fence heights below 7.5 feet. The chair also said the bill will remove open‑space and permeable‑surface requirements and minimum stories/height provisions from the targeted sections to reduce complexity.

Committee members questioned the absence of county representatives in oral testimony; the clerk noted written testimony from county councils and the City and County of Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting was on record. The committees adopted the chair’s recommended amendments and passed SB 2,423 with the clarifying language.

Next steps: SB 2,423 advances with amendments to clarify applicability to housing zoning and to standardize minimum lot size, ADU sizing and certain backyard privacy provisions; counties and planning departments may need to update local rules to conform to the statute if enacted.