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HR 90

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND PERMITTING OF THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO DEVELOP A COUNTYWIDE HOUSING PATTERN BOOK TO STREAMLINE PERMIT APPROVALS AND REDUCE REGULATORY BARRIERS FOR SAFE, AFFORDABLE, AND WELL-DESIGNED HOMES ACROSS OAHU.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Terez Amato and 14 co-sponsors

Hawaii requests Honolulu create a standardized housing pattern book to expedite permits and reduce barriers for affordable housing development.

Reported from HSG (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1652-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending referral to WAL.
#cityandcountyofhonolulu #housingpatternbook #streamlinedpermitting
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Bill Summary · HR 90

Legislative bill overview

HR 90 requests that Honolulu's Department of Housing and Land Management create a countywide housing pattern book—a standardized design guide that pre-approves housing types and configurations. This tool would streamline the permit approval process by allowing developers to use pre-vetted designs rather than undergoing lengthy individual reviews for each project.

Why is this important

Hawaii faces a severe affordable housing shortage, with Honolulu having among the highest housing costs in the nation. Reducing regulatory barriers and approval timelines can lower development costs and encourage construction of diverse housing types, potentially increasing supply and affordability. Pattern books have proven effective in other jurisdictions at accelerating housing production while maintaining design quality.

Potential points of contention

  • Local control concerns: Some may worry that standardized designs reduce community input or neighborhood character control over new development
  • Design quality questions: Stakeholders may debate whether pre-approved patterns ensure appropriate contextual fit or risk cookie-cutter development
  • Implementation scope: Unclear whether the pattern book would cover all housing types, density levels, and neighborhoods equally, or focus on specific areas

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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