Kailua's Parking Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles parking rules a little differently. In Kailua, Hawaii, there are 7 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

RV & Boat Parking

Kailua's Windward boating community faces strict on-street storage limits under ROH 15-16.6, which bars extended curbside parking of RVs, campers, and boat trailers across neighborhoods near Kailua Beach and Kaelepulu.

Key details: Code Section: ROH 15-16.6. Signs Required: No. Abandonment: After 24 hours. Enforcement: HPD and DCS.

Citation, tow at owner expense, and storage fees. Abandonment status triggers after 24 hours.

Compared to other cities, Kailua takes a harder line on rv & boat parking. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Driveway Rules

ROH 15-14.1 bars parking in front of driveways or within four feet on either side, a rule that affects Kailua's narrow beachside streets in Lanikai, Kalama, and Coconut Grove where curb frontage is tight.

Key details: Code Section: ROH 15-14.1. Side Buffer: 4 feet each side. Signs Required: No. Enforcement: HPD.

Parking citation and possible tow for driveway obstruction or repeat blocking.

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions

Kailua bars on-street storage of commercial vehicles under ROH 15-16.6, with off-street residential parking governed by LUO 21-6.20, affecting contractors and surf-industry operators across Kaelepulu and Kalama.

Key details: Code Section: ROH 15-16.6. Off-Street Rule: LUO 21-6.20. Residential Parking: Generally restricted. Signs Required: No.

Citation, tow, and DPP zoning referral for recurring residential violations.

Compared to other cities, Kailua takes a harder line on commercial vehicle restrictions. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Street Parking Limits

Kailua Beach Park, Lanikai, and Kailua Town corridor streets carry signed no-parking and tow-away zones under ROH 15-14.5 Schedule XXII, with curb alignment enforced under ROH 15-13.5.

Key details: Code Section: ROH 15-14.5. Curb Distance: Within 12 inches. Schedule: XXII posted list. Signs Required: Yes.

Citation fine; tow plus storage for tow-away or sweep-day violations.

Overnight Parking

Kailua has no general overnight parking ban, but ROH 15-14.6 enforces posted hour limits at Kailua Beach and school zones, and ROH 15-16.6 caps continuous on-street vehicle storage at 72 hours.

Key details: Code Section: ROH 15-14.6. Citywide Ban: None. Storage Cap: 72 hours. Signs Required: Yes.

Citation during restricted hours; tow after 72 hours of continuous storage.

EV Charging

Kailua's new multi-family and commercial projects along Kailua Road and at Enchanted Lake center must include EV-ready stalls under LUO 21-6.60, with thresholds for residential and commercial development.

Key details: Code Section: LUO 21-6.60. Multi-Family Trigger: 8+ stalls. Commercial Trigger: 12+ stalls. Compact Size: Pre-Dec 2020 ok.

Permit denial until compliance; code enforcement against non-compliant operators.

Abandoned Vehicles

Vehicles unattended on Kailua streets more than 24 hours may be declared abandoned under ROH 15-13.8, with HPD or DCS authorizing tow and owners billed for storage and disposal costs.

Key details: Code Section: ROH 15-13.8. Time Threshold: 24 hours. State Overlay: HRS 290-11. Disposal Fund: ROH Ch 29 Art 20.

Tow, storage charges, disposal fees, and civil liability for any unrecovered costs.

This is one of the stricter rules in Kailua's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Kailua is tougher than many cities when it comes to parking rules. Out of the 7 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Kailua, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

These rules come from Kailua's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.