HOA Restrictions: Honolulu vs Pearl City
How do hoa restrictions rules compare between Honolulu, HI and Pearl City, HI?
Honolulu and Pearl City have similar restriction levels.
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu County
Honolulu County defers to HRS Sec. 196-7, which preempts HOA bans on solar devices for single-family dwellings and townhouses across Oahu, voiding contrary lease or association provisions.
View full Honolulu rules →Pearl City, HI
Honolulu County
Pearl City HOAs and condo associations cannot prevent solar installation on single-family dwellings or townhouses owned by homeowners under HRS Sec. 196-7 state preemption.
View full Pearl City rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Honolulu | Pearl City |
|---|---|---|
| Statute | HRS Sec. 196-7 | HRS Sec. 196-7 |
| Efficiency limit | Max 25% reduction | No more than 25 percent loss |
| Cost limit | Max 15% increase | No more than 15 percent increase |
| Covered homes | Single-family and townhouse | - |
| HOA fees | Prohibited for solar | - |
| Scope | - | Single-family and townhouse |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Honolulu FAQ
Can my HOA ban rooftop solar panels in Honolulu County?
No. HRS Sec. 196-7 voids any HOA rule that prevents solar device installation on single-family dwellings or townhouses owned by the homeowner.
Can my HOA charge fees for solar installation?
No. HRS Sec. 196-7 prohibits HOA fees for placement of solar devices and bars restrictions that meaningfully reduce system efficiency or raise costs.
Pearl City FAQ
Can my Pearl City townhouse HOA deny solar?
No. HRS Sec. 196-7 voids HOA provisions preventing solar device installation on a townhouse or single-family home you own.
Does state preemption cover Pearl City condominium units?
HRS Sec. 196-7 squarely covers single-family and townhouse units. Stacked condos share roofs, so installations usually require board coordination for common elements.
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