Water Restrictions: Honolulu vs Pearl City
How do water restrictions rules compare between Honolulu, HI and Pearl City, HI?
Honolulu and Pearl City have similar restriction levels.
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu County
Honolulu's Board of Water Supply (BWS) may declare mandatory water-conservation stages restricting outdoor irrigation timing and volume. The Land Use Ordinance also requires permanent irrigation systems for required landscaping on development sites.
View full Honolulu rules →Pearl City, HI
Honolulu County
Pearl City follows ROH Chapter 30 water management rules plus Board of Water Supply shortage stages that apply to all leeward and central Oahu properties during drought.
View full Pearl City rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Honolulu | Pearl City |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation authority | Board of Water Supply (BWS) | - |
| Irrigation system required | Yes, for LUO-required landscaping | - |
| Restriction levels | Voluntary to mandatory stages | - |
| Violation penalty | Misdemeanor, daily fines | - |
| Code | - | ROH Sec. 30-2.3 |
| Shortage authority | - | Board of Water Supply |
| Shortage stages | - | Four graduated levels |
| Rebates | - | BWS rain barrel and xeriscape |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Honolulu FAQ
Are there currently mandatory outdoor watering restrictions in Honolulu?
Restrictions vary; the BWS may activate mandatory conservation stages during drought. Check the BWS website or call (808) 748-5000 for the current status.
When is outdoor irrigation recommended to avoid waste?
BWS recommends watering before 9 AM or after 5 PM to minimize evaporation. Weather-based irrigation controllers are also encouraged year-round.
Does new construction need a permanent irrigation system?
Yes. ROH § 21-4.70 requires all required landscaping on development sites to have a permanent irrigation system installed.
Pearl City FAQ
Are there always watering day restrictions in Pearl City?
No. Day-of-week schedules activate only when the Board of Water Supply declares a numbered shortage stage for Oahu.
Do military-family rentals have to follow BWS shortage rules?
Yes. Civilian-service BWS accounts at rental addresses are subject to shortage stages, even when tenants rotate frequently.
Compare other topics
See how Honolulu and Pearl City compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool