Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup
Key FactsOrdinance TextFull BreakdownViolationsFAQSourcesMore in Hawaii County

Hawaii County, HI Animal Ordinances: Microchipping (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

General mandate
None for ordinary pets
Trigger
Conviction under § 4-4-32
Cost
Owner-paid, § 4-4-35(a)(5)
Reporting
Chip number to animal control agency
Also required post-conviction
State license under HRS § 143-2

Summary

Hawai'i County has no general microchip mandate for pets. The one place chipping is required is HCC § 4-4-35(a)(5): a dog whose owner is convicted of negligently failing to control a dangerous dog under § 4-4-32 must be microchipped at the owner's expense unless already chipped, with the number reported to animal control.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Hawaii County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(5) Unless already identified by microchip, the dog shall be permanently identified, at the owner's expense, by injecting into the dog an identification microchip using standard veterinary procedures and practices. The microchip identification number of the dog shall be provided to the County animal control and protection agency.

View official code

Full Breakdown

There is no county-wide microchipping law in Hawai'i County; owners of ordinary pet dogs and cats are never required to chip them. § 4-4-35(b) separately lets a court add discretionary conditions on the same dog, such as mandatory confinement, muzzling, liability insurance of at least $50,000, or humane destruction, but those are optional add-ons; unlike them, the microchip requirement in subsection (a) is automatic on conviction, not left to the judge's discretion.

Violations & Fines

Failing to comply with the mandatory § 4-4-35(a) conditions, including the microchip requirement, is enforced as part of the underlying § 4-4-32 sentence; a police officer may arrest the owner or issue a summons and citation for a subsection (a) violation under § 4-4-35(d). There is no separate flat fine for the chip requirement alone; noncompliance is treated as a sentencing or probation violation tied to the original offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to microchip my dog in Hawai'i County?
Not as a general rule; there's no county-wide chipping mandate for pets. Chipping only becomes mandatory under HCC § 4-4-35(a)(5) if the dog's owner is convicted of negligently failing to control a dangerous dog under § 4-4-32.
Who pays for the microchip if it's court-ordered?
The dog's owner, at their own expense, per § 4-4-35(a)(5). The section also requires the owner to report the resulting microchip identification number to the County's animal control and protection agency, so the dog can be tracked if it changes hands or location.
What else must a convicted dog owner do besides microchip the dog?
Under § 4-4-35(a), they must give animal control their name, address, and phone number, disclose the dog's location, report any ownership change, further attacks, lawsuits, or the dog's death, and obtain a State dog license under HRS § 143-2 if it isn't already licensed.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Hawaii County

Parking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsDog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsChickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsCat RulesSome RestrictionsPet Groomer RulesSome RestrictionsVeterinary Clinic ZoningSome RestrictionsBeekeepingLight RestrictionsCoyote ManagementHeavy RestrictionsBreed RestrictionsSignificant RestrictionsMandatory Spay/NeuterLight RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Amplified Music & Outdoor SoundSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome Restrictions

All Hawaii County rules

Compare Hawaii County to another location·View the Hawaii animal ordinances overview

Get notified when Microchipping in Hawaii County, HI changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.