Honolulu County's LUO Section 21-4.30 sets front, side, and rear yard setbacks for every zoning district across Oahu, with companion residential standards in ROH 21-3.70-1.
ROH/LUO Section 21-4.30 is the primary Land Use Ordinance section on required yards and street setbacks for all zoning districts on Oahu. Residential districts such as R-5 typically require a 10-foot front setback, 5-foot side yards, and a 5- to 10-foot rear yard depending on lot configuration. Corner lots carry two street setbacks. District-specific residential standards are cross-referenced to ROH 21-3.70-1. Certain permitted projections are allowed into required yards, including eaves, bay windows, and limited-height fences. Shoreline setbacks under ROH Chapter 23 and flood hazard rules impose additional limits in coastal and floodplain areas. Accessory dwelling units and ohana units must also comply.
Setback encroachments trigger LUO enforcement including stop-work orders, required demolition or relocation of the encroaching portion, civil fines that can exceed $1,000 per day, and a notice of violation recorded against the property title.
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu protects designated 'exceptional trees' under Revised Ordinances of Honolulu (ROH) Chapter 40, Article 8. Removing or destroying any exceptional tre...
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu has no city ordinance restricting lawn ornaments on residential property. HOA and condo covenants under HRS 421J and 514B commonly regulate ornament...
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu has no city ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Size and blower noise are governed by HOA and condo covenants under HRS 42...
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu has no municipal ordinance regulating residential holiday lights. Display timing, brightness, and animation are governed by HOA and condo covenants ...
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu requires DPP building permits for outdoor kitchens with gas line plumbing, electrical wiring, plumbing fixtures, or structural roofs/pergolas. Stand...
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu has no smoker-specific ordinance. Hawaii Department of Health air pollution rules under HAR Chapter 11-60.1 apply to large commercial sources, not r...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Honolulu County.
See how other cities in Honolulu County handle setback rules.
See how Honolulu's setback rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.