Planning Committee Considers Home Businesses Regulations

Don Couch. File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Maui Now Staff

A bill that seeks to regulate home businesses will surface for review before the Maui County Planning Committee during a 9 a.m. meeting today (Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014).

Committee Chair Don Couch said the bill prohibits a home business from generating greater traffic than would normally be expected in a neighborhood.

It also prohibits hours of operation that would interfere with the use and enjoyment of adjacent properties.

The item surfaced late last year during district meetings in which the committee heard concerns about noise and parking, especially for auto-repair businesses operating from home.

Couch said other protections in the bill address parking, exterior storage, signage, customer visits, and other specifications to minimize impacts to a neighborhood.

“I hope this legislation will encourage entrepreneurs in our community,” said Couch in a county press release. “Some of our country’s most successful ventures have had their start in a neighborhood garage or basement.”

“Clearly defining our laws will give communities greater guidance and improve enforcement,” he said.

The full text of the bill is available at the following direct LINK.