Maui Home Business Bill Advances to Full Council

Councilmember Don Couch. Photo courtesy Office of Council Services.

By Maui Now Staff

The Maui Planning Committee on Friday recommended passage of a bill to provide general standards and restrictions for home businesses in Maui County.

Councilmember Don Couch, who chairs the committee and introduced the bill, said the legislation will “help to regulate an existing industry,” and will “further enhance economic opportunities in the county.”

Couch said that under the bill, hours of operation would be limited to 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; automotive repair and body shops would require a special use permit;  and only one ground or wall sign, no larger than 2 square feet would be permitted.

The measure would allow home businesses as a permitted use in the apartment, residential, and rural zoning districts, subject to certain criteria.

The bill would also allow home businesses in agricultural zoning districts with a special use permit.

The bill now advances to the full council for first reading at it’s Nov. 7 meeting.

“The law will minimize impacts home businesses have on neighborhoods,” Couch said in a county issued press release. “At the same time, I hope this legislation helps residents build their own success stories and allow them to grow their businesses into multi-million-dollar enterprises in a commercial district.”