A Bed & Breakfast in the Neighborhood

Pictured Bed & Breakfast: 1896 Kalanianaole St, HI 96720

Section 25-4-7 of the Hawai`i County Code outlines requirements for all Bed and Breakfast establishments on Hawai`i Island. In effect since 1996, the rules allow their existence in almost any residential area. In a nutshell:

• Up to 5 guest rooms are allowable on lots of 15,000 square feet or greater.
• Room count may be adjusted for smaller lots.
• Up to 10 guests can be housed at any time.
• Guests may stay 30 days or less.
• The specific County permit required is based on the underlying zoning.
• Off-street parking must be provided.
• Owners are expected to live in the Bed and Breakfast dwelling.
• Only breakfast may be served.
• A Bed and Breakfast permit “runs with the land,” meaning that once it’s in place, it passes to subsequent owners.

As REALTORS®, we sometimes advertise properties that possess unique qualities that we feel might make them desirable as transient accommodations. Remember, Bed and Breakfasts are not considered short-term vacation rentals. Their rules are different.

Low Impact

At times, neighbors become concerned about the impact such an operation might have on the neighborhood. I have sold several Bed and Breakfast establishments over the years. I was surprised to learn that a Bed and Breakfast creates less impact on a neighborhood than a typical family. This makes perfect sense if you think about it. As a parent, I know how much traffic my family always created. B&B guests typically make one trip to the property and leave in the morning. They do not normally return during the day.

The Kalanianaole Street B&B has little impact on nearby Carlsmith Beach Park

Charm Included

Because pride of ownership directly affects the innkeeper’s ability to make a living, property maintenance issues are normally non-existent. From my experience, the quality of most Bed and Breakfasts meets or exceeds our local hotels. Many reflect the gracious character and charm synonymous with Hilo. What better experience for a visitor to take away from this wonderful place than the warmth of a Big Island family willing to share their home with Aloha! In my mind, there are certainly worse things that could happen to a neighborhood.

The Kalanianaole B&B has enough charm to rival any hotel chain.

Join Us!

Learn more about Bed and Breakfasts and get updates on the latest trends in East Hawai’i Real Estate at our online meetings. Just email me for the Zoom invite!