OCCUPANCY GUIDELINES
DEC 01 2003
In determining the appropriate dwelling unit size for assistance, the following criteria shall be applied:
1. The smallest unit suitable for the household shall be considered and each bedroom shall be occupied by at least one person.
2. The dwelling unit shall permit up to the maximum number of persons to occupy the unit in accordance with prevailing zoning, and county building, health, and fire codes.
3. Residential Occupancy Standards shall be:
I. City and County of Honolulu (Oahu) Revised Ordinances of the City and County of Honolulu, 1990, Chapter 27, Housing Code, Sec. 27-4.3(b) and (c)
A. One (1) or more rooms
1. A room for living purposes (minimum 120 square feet (sq. ft.))
2. Other habitable room (minimum 70 sq. ft.) excludes kitchen
3. Add 50 square feet for each occupant in excess of two.
For example:
floor area (sq. ft.) | # of Occupants |
70 | 2 |
120 | 3 |
170 | 4 |
220 | 5 |
270 | 6 |
330 | 7 |
B. Efficiency Units (Studios)
1. A living room (minimum 220 sq. ft.) -must have a separate closet, kitchen sink, cooking appliance, separate bathroom and refrigeration facilities; each having a clear working space of not Less than 30 inches in front, and
2. Add 100 sq. ft., for each occupant in excess of two.
For example:
Floor Area (sq. ft.) | # of Occupants |
220 | 2 |
320 | 3 |
420 | 4 |
520 | 5 |
II. County of Maui (Maui, Lanai and Molokai) County of Maui, Chapter 16.08 Housing Code, Sec. 16.08.080 (B) and (C)
A. One (1) or more rooms
1. A room for living purposes -(minimum 120 sq. ft.)
2. Every room used for both cooking/living or living/sleeping purposes shall have a room used for sleeping purposes (minimum size is 120 sq. ft.).
3. Every other room used for sleeping purposes (minimum 70 sq. ft. for 1st occupant) .
4. And add 50 sq. ft. for each additional occupant.
For example:
Floor Area (sq. ft.) | # of Occupants |
70 | 1 |
120 | 2 |
170 | 3 |
220 | 4 |
B. Efficiency Units (Studios)
1. A living room (minimum 220 sq. ft.) -must have a separate dressing closet, kitchen sink, bathroom, kitchenette (no less than 3x5 feet in size and equipped with a tenant-operated electric exhaust fan connected to the outside air, sink, cooking appliance and refrigeration facilities.
2. Add 100 sq. ft., for each occupant in excess of two.
For example:
Floor Area (sq. ft.) | # of Occupants |
220 | 2 |
320 | 3 |
420 | 4 |
520 | 5 |
III. County of Kauai (Kauai)
Kauai County Code, Title V. Building and Construction Regulations, Chapter 12, Building Code, adopted 1997 Uniform Building Code (1997 UBC)
A. Dwelling units and congregate residences
1. One room (minimum 120 sq. ft.)
2. Other habitable rooms (excludes kitchen) (minimum 70 sq. ft.) .
Note: 1997 UBC does not address # of occupants allowable per square footage .
B. Efficiency Units (Studios)
1. A living room (minimum 220 sq. ft.) -must have a separate closet, kitchen sink, cooking appliance, separate bathroom, and refrigeration facilities; each having a clear working space of not less than 30 inches in front); and
2. Add 100 sq. ft., for each occupant in excess of two.
For example:
Floor Area (sq.ft.) | # of Occupants |
220 | 2 |
320 | 3 |
420 | 4 |
520 | 5 |
IV. County of Hawaii (Big Island)
Adopted 1991 Uniform Building Code, Occupant Load, Sec. 3302
8. A. Occupancy Loan factor - 300 sq. ft. per person based on grossnsquare footage of unit.
Haw. Code R. tit. 15, Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation, ch. 186, exh. 2