Retaining Walls: East Honolulu vs Pearl City
How do retaining walls rules compare between East Honolulu, HI and Pearl City, HI?
East Honolulu and Pearl City 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 →Pearl City, HI
Honolulu County
Pearl City retaining walls on the Pearl City Highlands and Manana hillsides fall under ROH 21-4.40, capping fill-bearing walls in required yards at 6 feet and combining terraced heights.
View full Pearl City rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | East Honolulu | Pearl City |
|---|---|---|
| Yard max height | 6 feet | 6 feet |
| Terraced rule | Heights combined | Heights combined |
| Code section | ROH 21-4.40 | ROH 21-4.40 |
| Engineering trigger | Above 30 inches | - |
| Drainage review | - | Chapter 14 |
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.
Pearl City FAQ
How tall can a Pearl City retaining wall be?
Walls with fill in a required yard cap at 6 feet under ROH 21-4.40. Terraced walls are measured as combined height, and engineering review is required above the 30-inch permit threshold on hillside lots.
Do hillside walls need extra review?
Yes. Pearl City Highlands and Manana hillside sites typically require geotechnical and drainage review, engineered drawings, and Chapter 14 grading coordination alongside the 21-4.40 retaining wall rules.
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