09-09-2009, 10:31 AM
From the Tribune-Herald of September 3, 2009:
"It's now up to Mayor Billy Kenoi to decide if eligible Puna landowners may live a tent while building a legally permitted home.
A bill authorizing the use of temporary living structures for up to two years was passed unanimously Wednesday by the Hawaii County Council and will now be sent to Kenoi.
. . . . .
The bill allows a single tent or similar structure to be erected on land zoned for agriculture and located within "the geographical district of Puna."
Besides needing an active, county-issued building permit, the landowner must meet several other criteria. Those include maintaining an access lane, being at least 10 feet from any structure, keeping all flames outside of the temporary shelter, and having "adequate sanitation" -- a compost toilet or other waste-disposal system approved by the state Department of Health."
If the Council is passing a new law to allow for temporary occupation of tents during construction of a permanent residence, I would suggest further research of the Code may be warranted before one assumes that such permanent residence IS allowed.