KAILUA-KONA — The Leeward Planning Commission on Thursday recommended the County Council adopt an ordinance setting minimum parking requirements for accommodations occupied for less than 180 days of the year.
KAILUA-KONA — The Leeward Planning Commission on Thursday recommended the County Council adopt an ordinance setting minimum parking requirements for accommodations occupied for less than 180 days of the year.
The measure is intended to ensure adequate off-street parking at short-term and vacation rentals around the island.
The proposal, as recommended, would require owners of certain homes, including single-family, double-family and duplexes, that are occupied less than 180 days a year to provide one space for each rented bedroom plus one space for the dwelling if rooms are rented individually. If the house is rented as a whole, two parking spaces must be provided.
The county’s zoning code already requires two parking spaces per single-family, double-family or duplex housing unit, “a commonly accepted rate in other communities around the state and country,” according to a report prepared by the Hawaii County Planning Department.
However, the report says there aren’t any specific requirements when it comes to off-street parking for short-term rentals and the county doesn’t regulate such land uses.
During Thursday’s meeting, the Leeward Planning Commission unanimously agreed to send a favorable recommendation of the proposed ordinance to the County Council.
The Planning Department report also states the Department of Public Works Traffic Division gets “very few complaints associated with short-term home rentals.”
If adopted, the proposal’s parking requirements would be the strictest in the state regarding vacation rentals and short-term home rentals.
“This may have the effect of reducing the number (of) visitors to our island if these short-term rental homes and vacation rentals cannot provide sufficient parking to meet this new requirement,” the report states.
Noting short-term rentals could be supporting certain markets, such as those looking for lower-priced rentals and in areas without hotels, “the planning director suggests any changes to the off-street parking and loading requirements for vacation rentals and short-term rentals be made thoughtfully so that the safety and convenience of surrounding neighbors is balanced with the economic benefits of providing a mix of visitor accommodations,” the report states.
Staff planner Maija Jackson said the Windward Planning Commission already made a favorable recommendation for the proposal. It still must get final approval from the County Council before it can be enacted.
Email Cameron Miculka at cmiculka@westhawaiitoday.com.