Animal Ordinances in Honolulu County, HI (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Honolulu County, Hawaii.
Verified from official government sources
Chickens & Livestock
Farm animals like pigs, cows, goats, sheep, horses, camels and llamas need enclosures set back 300 feet from every property line, ruling out most residential lots.
Honolulu Farm Animal Enclosure Setbacks
Significant RestrictionsROH § 12-2.5(a)
Farm animals. Enclosures for farm animals shall not be located within 300 feet of any property line. (b) Honeybees. There shall be no more than eight honeybee hives per zoning lot and the keeping of honeybees shall be in accordance with the following: (1) Colonies shall be maintained in movable frame hives, constructed to meet the specifications for “beehives” set by the American Beekeepers...
Breed Restrictions
Honolulu does not single out any dog breed as inherently dangerous. ROH § 12-7.1 defines a dangerous dog purely by conduct, an unprovoked attack on a person or animal, and states outright that a dog's breed shall not be considered in that determination, with severe consequences reserved for owners once a dog is actually adjudicated dangerous.
Honolulu's Breed-Neutral Dangerous Dog Law
Significant RestrictionsROH § 12-7.1
Dangerous Dog. Any dog that, without provocation, attacks a person or animal. A dog's breed shall not be considered in determining whether it is dangerous. ... Provocation. The attack by a dog upon a person or animal was precipitated under the following circumstances: (1) The dog was protecting or defending its owner or a member of its owner's household from an attack or assault; ... (3) The pe...
Beekeeping
Oahu beekeepers may keep up to eight honeybee hives per zoning lot in movable-frame hives, set at least 25 feet from any property line, street, sidewalk, or alley unless screened by a 6-foot solid fence or hedge or raised 8 feet off the ground.
Honolulu Backyard Beekeeping Hive Limits
Some RestrictionsROH § 12-2.5(b)
(b) Honeybees. There shall be no more than eight honeybee hives per zoning lot and the keeping of honeybees shall be in accordance with the following: (1) Colonies shall be maintained in movable frame hives, constructed to meet the specifications for “beehives” set by the American Beekeepers Federation; ... (3) Hives shall not be located within 25 feet of any property line, public street, sidew...
Cat Rules
Every cat over four months old on Oahu must wear identification or carry a registered microchip under ROH § 12-6.2(a). Cats picked up without ID sit with the animal control contractor on a strict clock, owners pay a daily impoundment fee to get them back, and unsterilized cats face a separate citation before they can be released.
Honolulu Cat ID and Impoundment Rules
Some RestrictionsROH § 12-6.2(a), (b)
(a) It is unlawful for any person to be an owner of a cat over four months of age, unless the person maintains identification for the cat. (b) This section does not apply to: (1) A cat owner who has resided in the city for less than 30 consecutive days; (2) A cat owner who does not reside in the city and is staying in the city for less than 30 days; (3) A cat owner who submits proof to the anim...
Mandatory Spay/Neuter
A stray dog impounded three or more times in 12 months in Honolulu must be spayed or neutered by animal control before its owner can redeem it.
Honolulu Repeat-Stray Dog Spay/Neuter Rule
Significant RestrictionsROH § 12-4.3(b)
In addition to the fees specified in subsection (a), an unsterilized dog, while being a stray, that is impounded by the animal control contractor at least three times within a 12 month period, must be spayed or neutered by the animal control contractor before the owner may redeem the dog, unless a licensed veterinarian certifies that the medical condition of the dog disqualifies the dog from be...
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