Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules in Hawaii County, HI (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated Hawaii County, Hawaii.
Verified from official government sources
Sidewalk Repair
HCC § 22-4.6(b) puts abutting landowners on the hook, at their own expense, for repairing sidewalk damage caused by their own abuse or failure to maintain it; § 22-4.7 requires that repair work follow the chapter's construction standards.
Who Repairs a Sidewalk on Hawaii Island
Some RestrictionsHawai'i County Code § 22-4.6(b); § 22-4.7
All landowners shall, at their own expense, be responsible for the repair of all damages to the sidewalk area that are attributed to the owner's abuse or failure to provide proper maintenance. The director shall determine the extent of repair or maintenance required and whether damages were caused by a lack of maintenance or abuse. ... All repair work shall be performed in accordance with the r...
Obstruction Rules
HCC § 22-2.4 bars anyone from knowingly or recklessly rendering a County street or sidewalk impassable, or from creating an unreasonable risk of harm to people or property on it. This is the general obstruction rule, separate from the commercial-activity and encroachment-permit provisions in the same chapter.
Obstructing a Sidewalk in Hawai'i County
Some RestrictionsHawai'i County Code § 22-2.4
(a) No person, without a legal privilege to do so, shall knowingly or recklessly render impassable, without unreasonable inconvenience or hazard, any County street, whether alone or with others. (b) No person shall knowingly or recklessly engage in conduct which creates an unreasonable risk or harm to any person or property on any County street.
Encroachment Permits
Placing benches, planters, garbage receptacles, or other private items on a County sidewalk requires a Sidewalk Use Permit from the Department of Public Works. HCC § 22-3.7 sets the application requirements and § 22-3.8 limits items to four feet in height, requires four feet of clear sidewalk width, and caps the permit at one year.
Sidewalk Use Permits in Hawai'i County
Some RestrictionsHawai'i County Code § 22-3.8
Unless otherwise prohibited, the director may issue a sidewalk use permit for a period not to exceed one year if all of the following criteria are met: (1) The items do not exceed four feet in height. (2) The use or item will leave a clear width of at least four feet of sidewalk. (3) The applicant has submitted evidence that demonstrates that the use is for noncommercial purposes and will promo...
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