Retaining Walls: Kaneohe vs Urban Honolulu
How do retaining walls rules compare between Kaneohe, HI and Urban Honolulu, HI?
Urban Honolulu has fewer restrictions than Kaneohe.
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 →Urban Honolulu, HI
Honolulu County
Urban Honolulu limits retaining walls that contain fill within required yards to 6 feet under ROH 21-4.40 and combines terraced wall heights to prevent stacking around hillside lots.
View full Urban Honolulu rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Kaneohe | Urban Honolulu |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| Max height | - | 6 feet |
| Terracing rule | - | Combined height |
| Permit trigger | - | Over 30 inches |
| Code section | - | ROH 21-4.40 |
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.
Urban Honolulu FAQ
How tall can a retaining wall be in Urban Honolulu?
Under ROH 21-4.40, retaining walls containing fill within required yards cannot exceed 6 feet. Terraced walls on hillside lots in neighborhoods like Manoa are measured as one combined wall.
Does a hillside retaining wall need a permit in Honolulu?
Yes, if it exceeds 30 inches. ROH 18-3.1 exempts only walls 30 inches or shorter. Honolulu DPP typically requires engineered plans, drainage, and guardrails for larger hillside retaining walls.
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