A jump in the number of approved pre-check forms for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) is being attributed to the recent completion of the Kaneohe-Kailua Wastewater Conveyance and Treatment Facilities project.

City officials reported that since the sewage tunnel project increased sewage capacity in Kaneohe in June, 46 ADU pre-check forms from have been granted for applicants within the area. Those pre-check forms were previously rejected due to a lack of sewer capacity.

A homeowner seeking an ADU is asked to submit a pre-check form to determine if the property meets the minimum qualifications for a second dwelling, including whether it is in a neighborhood the city determines has sufficient infrastructure to accommodate another housing unit.

City officials said that the 46 pre-check forms are among 132 applications that were initially denied due insufficient sewage capacity. After the KK tunnel project began operations, the city sent letters to those owners suggesting they resubmit their form for possible approval.

An ADU is essentially a second dwelling that’s allowed on a residential lot normally reserved for a single-family dwelling. It is considered accessory to the main dwelling, and must have its own kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Its size limit depends on the size of the lot.

Mayor Kirk Caldwell introduced ADUs as a means of increasing Oahu’s rental housing stock during a time of limited offerings.

The city reported 467 building permits have been issued since ADUs first became legal in 2014. An additional 51 approved ADU permits are waiting for pickup. There are 240 applications under review, the city said.

On the pre-check side, the city said it has approved 1,961 pre-checks out of 3,197 forms submitted. There were 637 pre-check forms denied and 293 applications are pending review, city officials said.

For more on ADUs, go to the Department of Planning and Permitting website at bit.ly/2ypgn0d.