Honolulu County, HI Animal Ordinances: Chickens & Livestock (2026)
Key Facts
- Setback required
- 300 feet from any property line
- Covered animals
- Pigs, cows, goats, sheep, horses, camels, llamas
- Chickens/peafowl
- Max 2 per household
- First-offense fine
- $50
Summary
Farm animals like pigs, cows, goats, sheep, horses, camels and llamas need enclosures set back 300 feet from every property line, ruling out most residential lots.
Farm animals. Enclosures for farm animals shall not be located within 300 feet of any property line.
(b) Honeybees. There shall be no more than eight honeybee hives per zoning lot and the keeping of honeybees shall be in accordance with the following:
(1) Colonies shall be maintained in movable frame hives, constructed to meet the specifications for “beehives” set by the American Beekeepers Federation;
(2) Hives shall be properly shaded from adjacent night lighting on adjoining properties; and
(3) Hives shall not be located within 25 feet of any property line, public street, sidewalk, or alley, except:
(A) When situated behind a solid fence or hedge at least 6 feet in height, parallel to the property line, and extending at least 15 feet beyond the hive in both directions; or
(B) When located at least 8 feet or more above adjacent ground level.
(c) Dogs. The number, four months of age or older, shall not exceed 10 per household.
(d) Chickens and peafowl. The number of chickens or peafowl shall not exceed two per household. (1990 Code, Ch. 7, Art. 2, § 7-2.5) (Added by Ord. 90-55; Am. Ord. 04-42)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-10: Supplement 10, 12-2025 Ordinance No. 25-40 through Ordinance No. 25-56).
Full Breakdown
Under ROH Chapter 12, Article 2, an owner may keep farm animals or poultry, but any enclosure housing them cannot sit within 300 feet of any property line. Typical residential lots across Oahu are far too small to satisfy that setback, which effectively confines farm-animal keeping to agricultural or country-zoned parcels. Chickens and peafowl are capped separately at two per household.
Violations & Fines
Keeping farm animals in a noncompliant enclosure is an offense: a $50 fine for a first offense, $100 for a repeat within two years, or $500-$1,000 plus possible imprisonment for later repeats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a pig or goat on a normal house lot in Honolulu?
What happens if I keep farm animals too close to my neighbor's line?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Honolulu County
How Honolulu County compares: Best Cities for Backyard Chickens·Compare Honolulu County to another location·View the Hawaii animal ordinances overview
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