Retaining Walls: East Honolulu vs Ewa Gentry
How do retaining walls rules compare between East Honolulu, HI and Ewa Gentry, HI?
East Honolulu and Ewa Gentry have similar restriction levels.
East Honolulu, HI
Honolulu County
East Honolulu retaining walls on Kuliouou, Hawaii Loa Ridge, and Niu Valley hillsides fall under ROH 21-4.40, which caps fill-bearing walls in required yards at 6 feet with terraced heights combined.
View full East Honolulu rules →Ewa Gentry, HI
Honolulu County
ROH Sec. 21-4.40 controls retaining walls in Ewa Gentry, limiting fill-containing walls inside required yards to six feet and combining terraced wall heights for measurement.
View full Ewa Gentry rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | East Honolulu | Ewa Gentry |
|---|---|---|
| Yard max height | 6 feet | - |
| Terraced rule | Heights combined | - |
| Code section | ROH 21-4.40 | - |
| Engineering trigger | Above 30 inches | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
East Honolulu FAQ
How tall can a Hawaii Kai retaining wall be?
Walls containing fill in a required yard cap at 6 feet under ROH 21-4.40. Terraced walls are measured as combined height. Engineering review is required above the 30-inch permit threshold for hillside lots.
Do Kuliouou hillside walls need extra review?
Yes. Steep Kuliouou and Hawaii Loa Ridge sites typically require geotechnical and drainage review, engineered drawings, and sometimes grading permits under Chapter 14 alongside the 21-4.40 retaining wall rules.
Ewa Gentry FAQ
Can I build two stacked retaining walls to exceed the height limit?
No. ROH 21-4.40 combines terraced wall heights so stacking does not bypass the six-foot limit in required yards.
Do I need an engineer for a rear-yard retaining wall?
Most fill-retaining walls above the short-wall exemption require engineered drawings and a DPP permit.
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