Ask the Mayor: Can a B&B Exist on an Ag Lot?

File image. By Wendy Osher.

Mayor Alan Arakawa answers some of the questions submitted to his staff.

Submit your own questions about County of Maui programs, services, operations or policies to Mayor Alan Arakawa at AskTheMayor@mauicounty.gov, 270-7855 or mail them to 200 S. High St., 9th Floor, Wailuku, HI 96793.

Questions submitted will be considered for inclusion in the “Ask the Mayor” column.

Aloha,

Q: In Ha‘ikū at the corner of Leialoha Street and Hogback Road, there is a residence that has a sign noting a bed and breakfast application.

The buildings located on the “agricultural lot” are a modest smaller house fronting the street and a massive structure with three parking bays in the rear.

The size of the rear building has had many local residents wondering for a while if a business/office was planned, especially with the separate parking bays. How is this even a possibility on agriculture-zoned land?

A: Since our records do not indicate application at the location you described, it is probably early in the application process, as the signs are required to be posted prior to the application being submitted.

If you file an official Request for Service with a TMK number, our Planning Department staff can check which buildings on the property are lawful and what they are supposed to be used for.

Keep in mind that since the land is zoned ag, the large building could be used for a variety of agricultural purposes, including a farm dwelling. Any business/office use would have to be accessory to ag. Please be assured that these issues all get examined during the B&B application process, so if there are unpermitted uses or structures, they will have to be resolved before a B&B permit can be issued.

Please be assured that these issues all get examined during the B&B application process, so if there are unpermitted uses or structures, they will have to be resolved before a B&B permit can be issued.