Bill 7 Ordinance 19-8 Overview:

For the people that have lived on Oahu for generations, grown up on Oahu, or made Oahu their home, the state has created incentives to provide more affordable housing options by introducing Bill 7 and signing it into office as Ordinance 19-8. This legislature provides property tax exemptions and allows higher-density buildings in various zones that would otherwise restrict apartment heights and capacities. This action inspires the removal of outdated, dilapidated, or uninhabited structures giving Oahu space to look toward the future. Encouraging private landowners to provide good quality rentable space on Oahu is critical to the island’s rapid growth rate.

A client-based approach

From feasibility, if the project meets client needs and site restrictions, we provide full design services and see your project through permitting all the way to completion. As design professionals, we make connections with engineers, construction managers, developers, contractors, material vendors, and more to ensure our clients have access to the resources they need. To see a comprehensive list of our services, visit our Studio Page.

The Need

Nationwide, the need for updated affordable housing has been addressed as a topic of concern. Every human deserves access to shelter and it is proven that the quality of said shelter affects the overall health and wellness of its inhabitant.

In our article What does it mean to live in Hawaii in the 21st Century? , we address a few different factors of living in this beautiful place. Many people ask Hawaii locals, “Isn’t it so expensive to live in Hawaii?” The short answer is, YES but that does not mean it has to be.

Where to Begin

At Polyline, we enjoy dedicating our time to understanding the parameters of Bill 7. As with any building codes and state regulations, there are many ins and outs to Bill 7. We are here to provide answers to questions and help our clients envision their new buildings. We hope to reach as many clients as possible to implement better housing for our ohanas, keiki, and kupuna.

To begin the process, we typically provide feasibility studies for our clients looking to update their land with the benefits of Bill 7. These feasibility studies look at the current state of each property and assess what can be done with the area we have. Based on our findings, the project may proceed such as in the case of the Ala Wai Apartments and the Wahiawa Apartments shown above. To learn more about feasibility studies, see our news post by clicking the link below.

Interested?

As Bill 7 becomes more known and understood, we are already in the works of providing guidance and design solutions for different landowners in Hawaii. If you are interested in learning more about if your property is eligible for Bill 7 Zoning or if you are ready to get started on a multi-family housing project, please get in touch and see why we are the right architects for you!