Retaining Walls: Kaneohe vs Pearl City
How do retaining walls rules compare between Kaneohe, HI and Pearl City, HI?
Kaneohe and Pearl City have similar restriction levels.
Kaneohe, HI
Honolulu County
Kaneohe's rolling terrain makes ROH Sec. 21-4.40 retaining wall rules especially relevant. Fill-retention walls in required yards cannot exceed 6 feet, and terraced walls are combined for height calculation.
View full Kaneohe 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 | Kaneohe | Pearl City |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| Yard max height | - | 6 feet |
| Terraced rule | - | Heights combined |
| Code section | - | ROH 21-4.40 |
| Drainage review | - | Chapter 14 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Kaneohe FAQ
My lot drops 10 feet to the neighbor. Can I build one tall wall?
Not a single wall in a required yard; you would need terraced walls with drainage, stamped engineering, and permits.
Are rock-and-riprap walls treated differently?
Riprap walls up to 30 inches are permit-exempt, but larger or engineered rip rap typically needs permits and drainage design.
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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