ADU Frequently Asked Questions

Aloha Friends!

After 15 long months seeking Department of Planning and Permitting approval and 3 months of dust and noise construction in our backyard, we finally completed our long-awaited ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit)!  I’m happy to report that my daughter, Nikki, will be able to move out of her 8’x10′ Harry Potter closet bedroom and into the 450 s.f. studio which attaches to our house by an extended patio.  As a legal ADU, we could rent this unit equipped with a tankless water heater, stacked washer/dryer and large patio area for over $2,200/month but have always intended to use this space now as extra living area for the children and later for my husband and I once the stairs in our house become a challenge- maybe sooner than we think.

During this process, I have received numerous questions and inquiries about ADUs.  What is an ADU?  How large can it be?  Can it be outfitted with a full 3-piece kitchen?  ADUs have been legal on Oahu for almost 10 years now.  There are a multitude of ways to incorporate an ADU onto an existing single family home lot.   Most importantly and if done properly, an ADU can add huge value to an existing property by creating a second dwelling with rental opportunity.  Feel free to contact me with any questions.  In the meantime, see the City and County ‘ADU Faqs’ handout for a Q&A on ADUs.

We’re Home for the Holidays!  Enjoy and stay safe and healthy this Holiday Season!

ADU Frequently Asked Questions – https://www.honolulu.gov/rep/site/dpp/csd/faq.pdf