ROH Chapter 21

R-5 Residential

The most common single-family zoning designation in Honolulu. A 5,000 sf minimum lot, 50% maximum lot coverage, and 10-ft front yard define the typical suburban R-5 envelope. The 50% coverage limit and 10-ft front yard are the two standards most frequently flagged in DPP plan check on R-5 additions.

Common locations: East Honolulu (Hawaii Kai, Aina Haina, Niu Valley), Manoa, Kaimuki, St. Louis Heights, Aiea, Pearl City, Mililani, and most post-war suburban subdivisions.

Development standards

Standard	Requirement
Minimum lot area	5,000 sf
Front yard	10 ft min
Rear yard	5 ft min
Interior side yard	5 ft min
Street-side yard	10 ft min
Max lot coverage	50%
Max building height	30 ft
FAR limit	None

No explicit FAR limit. Residential height limit is 30 ft measured from average grade; a sloped roof at 4:12 or steeper pitch may reach 30 ft while a flat or low-pitch roof is limited to 25 ft under ROH §21-4.70.

Source: ROH §21-3.10-2 (R-5 district standards), ROH §21-4.70 (height), ROH §21-3.120 (parking)

Sample calculation

Lot area5,200 sf

Max coverage (50%)2,600 sf

Existing house + garage1,550 sf (29.8%)

Proposed addition250 sf

New total coverage1,800 sf (34.6%) — PASS

Coverage headroom remaining800 sf

Common DPP plan-check violations

1Lot coverage exceeding 50% — most commonly from proposed covered lanai or garage addition

2Front yard setback deficiency on second-floor additions that project beyond the first floor

3Construction type inconsistency: V-A listed on cover sheet with unprotected framing in structural notes

4Parking compliance table absent from site plan — 2 stalls required per ROH §21-3.120

5Fixed egress window in sleeping room — must be operable with 5.7 sf net clear opening (IBC §1030)

Key exceptions and reliefs

—Accessory structures 200 sf or less and 15 ft or less in height: rear setback reduced to 3 ft, side to 3 ft

—Roof overhangs up to 18 in from exterior wall face: exempt from setback and coverage calculations

—Open-top trellises and pergolas without solid roofing material: not counted as lot coverage

—Stairways and uncovered ramps under 30 in above grade: may project up to 3 ft into required yard

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← All zoning districts

Development standards are based on ROH Chapter 21 as of May 2026. Verify all values against the current DPP-adopted code before relying on them. Overlay districts (SMA, flood zone, historic), special area requirements, and neighborhood-specific provisions may impose additional standards not reflected here.