Outdoor Lighting in Hawaii County, HI (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated Hawaii County, Hawaii.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Hawaii County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Dark Sky Rules

Hawai'i County Code Article 9 (Sections 14-50 to 14-55.1) requires shielding, curfews and lamp-type limits on almost every outdoor light fixture installed since September 1, 1988. Fixtures above 4,050 lumens must be fully shielded, mercury vapor lamps have been banned since August 17, 1998, and most Class II and III lights must switch off between 11:00 p.m. and sunrise. The building official enforces compliance through the electrical permit process.

Dark Sky Outdoor Lighting Rules in Hawaii County

Some Restrictions

Hawai'i County Code § 14-52(a)-(d)

(a) Standard fixture. All class types of outdoor light fixtures shall follow the requirements set forth in Table 14-A. (b) Shielding. All outdoor lights shall be shielded pursuant to the requirements set forth in Table 14-A. (c) Hours of operation. All outdoor light fixtures shall be subject to the hours of operation as required by Table 14-A. (d) Mercury vapor lights prohibited. Mercury vapor ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Billboard Lighting

Any sign wired for electricity or lit by an external source, including an illuminated billboard-style sign, must clear the county electrical inspector under Hawaii County Code Section 3-15, which checks the plans against both the electrical code and the outdoor-lighting standards in Chapter 14, Article 9.

Illuminated Sign Permits, Hawaii County

Some Restrictions

Hawai'i County Code § 3-15

A permit application for a sign which uses electrical wiring and connections or which is illuminated by an external source, shall be submitted to the electrical inspector who shall examine the plans and specifications of all wiring and connections of the sign itself to determine if they comply with chapter 5D, Hawai`i County Code, relating to the electrical code and chapter 14, article 9, Hawai...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Hawaii County ordinances

See every category we cover for Hawaii County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Hawaii County Ordinance Hub →