Noise Ordinances in Hawaii County, HI (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Hawaii County, Hawaii.
Verified from official government sources
Quiet Hours
Hawaii County has no separate city curfew because the county is the only local government. Statewide DOH rules (HAR 11-46) drop the nighttime noise limit to 45 dBA in residential (Class A) areas from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Quiet Hours on Hawaii Island (the Big Island)
Some RestrictionsHAR 11-46-4
Class A: 55 dBA daytime (7 a.m.-10 p.m.), 45 dBA nighttime (10 p.m.-7 a.m.). Noise levels shall not exceed the maximum permissible sound levels for more than ten per cent of the time within any twenty minute period.
Barking Dogs
A dog that barks continuously for 10 minutes, or intermittently for 20 minutes within any 30-minute span, is a 'noisy dog' under HCC § 4-4-25, a declared public nuisance regardless of whether it's on private property. § 4-4-26 requires the complainant to warn the owner first, then escalating fines up to $400 apply if the barking isn't abated.
Noisy Dog Rules in Hawai'i County
Some RestrictionsHawai'i County Code §§ 4-4-25, 4-4-26(c)
(a) No person shall keep any dog which barks, bays, cries, howls or makes any other noise continuously or incessantly for a period of ten minutes or barks, bays, cries, howls or makes any other noise intermittently for a period of twenty minutes within a thirty-minute period of time to the disturbance of any person at any time of day or night and regardless of whether the dog is physically situ...
Leaf Blower Rules
State law (HRS 342F-30.8) makes it unlawful to run a leaf blower or similar powered equipment outside 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Monday-Saturday, or outside 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. on Sundays and holidays, when within or within 100 feet of a residential zone.
Leaf Blower and Powered Yard Equipment Hours
Some RestrictionsHRS 342F-30.8
Unlawful when the activity occurs outside the hours of 8:00 am - 7:00 pm, Monday through Saturday, or outside the hours of 9:00 am - 7:00 pm on Sunday and/or a State/Federal Holiday, AND within a residentially zoned area OR within 100 feet (30.48 meters) of a residentially zoned area.
Amplified Music & Outdoor Sound
Hawai'i County bans playing a radio, speaker, or other sound-reproducing device on public property, or in a vehicle on a public street, if it's audible fifty feet away, under HCC §14-18. A first offense tops out at $100; a third within a year can cost up to $1,000 or forfeiture of the sound equipment.
Amplified Sound Rules in Hawaii County
Some RestrictionsHawai'i County Code §§ 14-18, 14-19.3
Section 14-18(a): It shall be a violation of law for any person or persons to play, use, operate, or permit to be played, used, or operated, any radio, tape recorder, cassette player, or other machine or device for reproducing sound, if: (1) Such machine or device is located in or on: (A) Any public property, including any public street, highway, building, sidewalk, park, or thoroughfare; or (B...
Decibel Limits
Industrial and agricultural equipment, generators, compressors, and AC units are stationary noise sources under HAR 11-46. On agricultural or industrial (Class C) land the limit is 70 dBA day and night; near homes the lower Class A limits apply at the property line.
Industrial and Stationary Equipment Noise
Some RestrictionsHAR 11-46-4
The maximum permissible sound levels ... apply to stationary noise sources; and equipment related to agricultural, construction, and industrial activities. Class C - 70 dBA daytime and nighttime.
Vehicle Noise
Hawaii County law requires every motor vehicle on a public highway or street to run a muffler in constant operation, sized to stop excessive or unusual noise. Modified exhausts, dummy mufflers and cut-out by-pass devices are all banned under HCC Chapter 24, enforced islandwide by county police.
Vehicle Muffler and Exhaust Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsHawai'i County Code § 24-109
No person shall operate a motor vehicle on a public highway or street unless the motor vehicle is equipped, at all times, with a muffler or mufflers in constant operation and of such length and size or of sufficient capacity for the motor and exhaust system to prevent the escape of excessive or annoying fumes or smoke, and excessive or unusual noise. Excessive or unusual noise as used in this d...
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