Retaining Walls: Ewa Gentry vs Honolulu
How do retaining walls rules compare between Ewa Gentry, HI and Honolulu, HI?
Honolulu has fewer restrictions than Ewa Gentry.
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 →Honolulu, HI
Honolulu County
Honolulu's LUO Section 21-4.40 limits retaining wall heights in required yards to 6 feet when containing fill and combines terraced wall heights for measurement purposes island-wide.
View full Honolulu rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Ewa Gentry | Honolulu |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| Max in required yard | - | 6 feet |
| Terracing rule | - | Combined heights counted |
| Permit trigger | - | Over 30 inches |
| Code section | - | ROH 21-4.40 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
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.
Honolulu FAQ
How tall can a retaining wall be in Honolulu County?
Under ROH 21-4.40, retaining walls containing fill within required yards cannot exceed 6 feet. Terraced walls are combined for measurement, so stacking shorter walls does not avoid the limit.
Do retaining walls need a permit in Honolulu?
Retaining or riprap walls 30 inches or shorter are exempt under ROH 18-3.1. Taller retaining walls require a Honolulu DPP building permit and often engineered drawings.
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