SB 2423 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO ZONING.

Summary

Prohibits the counties from imposing certain lot requirements on lots zoned for housing on parcels of land located within the urban district for purposes of subdivision, development, or the issuance of a building permit, with certain exemptions. Allows the counties to establish a petition process for neighborhoods, subdivisions, or other geographically contiguous areas to establish or retain certain requirements or specifications. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Issues: ✓ Housing

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 22, 2026 Last action Mar 10, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB2423 → SB2423_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill significantly relaxes zoning rules in Hawaii's urban districts to allow for smaller, more affordable starter homes. It removes strict minimum lot sizes and dwelling specifications that previously forced developers to build larger, more expensive properties. The changes aim to increase housing supply and affordability by permitting smaller lots, reduced setbacks, and lower parking requirements.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed by adding a new eligibility criterion: the new lot size restrictions now only apply to parcels specifically zoned for housing, rather than all land within the urban district. Additionally, the effective date of the law was extended from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2050.

REQUIREMENT

Minimum lot size requirement increased from 1,200 square feet to 2,500 square feet, which actually reduces the ability to build small lots compared to the previous version.

Parking requirements were modified to allow for more than one parking space per unit and off-site parking, removing previous prohibitions.

New restrictions were added to limit accessory dwelling units to less than 1,250 square feet and restrict solid fences in side or back yards to a maximum of 7.5 feet.

ELIGIBILITY

The prohibition on lot requirements now only applies to lots zoned for housing, excluding other urban district land uses.

TIMELINE

The effective date of the Act was delayed from July 1, 2026, to July 1, 2050.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted, as amended (SD 1) and recommitted to JDC.

upper

Feb 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 02-27-26 10:30AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Reported from WLA/HOU (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2684) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WLA were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Inouye, Chang, Lamosao, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on HOU recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HOU were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Chang, Hashimoto, Elefante, Rhoads, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 13, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WLA/HOU has scheduled a public hearing on 02-17-26 1:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 12, 2026

Committee

Re-Referred to WLA/HOU, JDC.

upper

Jan 28, 2026

Committee

Referred to WLA/HOU/EIG, JDC.

upper

Jan 22, 2026

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors