A California man has been fined $2,500 for illegally turning a shed into a vacation home.
A California man has been fined $2,500 for illegally turning a shed into a vacation home.
The state Board of Land and Natural Resources issued the fine against John Grace on Friday and ordered that he dismantle the structure within 120 days.
Grace turned the shed on his property in Laupahoehoe Point into a residence about 15 years ago after repeatedly being denied authorization to build a home.
His property is located within a state conservation subzone, which prohibits residential structures.
Grace, 69, said Monday that he was aware of the restriction when he purchased the property in 1991 but thought he could later receive an exemption.
After being unable to, he said he decided to build it anyway.
Grace said he used it as a vacation home once or twice a year.