Fire Regulations in Honolulu County, HI (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Honolulu County, Hawaii.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Pits & Backyard Fires
Honolulu's Fire Code, ROH § 20-1.1 adopting NFPA 1 with local amendments, treats a backyard fire pit as regulated open burning. Before lighting a recreational, decorative, or ceremonial fire anywhere on Oahu you need the property owner's written permission, a letter approved by the fire department at least 14 days ahead, and a 15-minute heads-up call the day of the burn.
Honolulu Recreational Fire Pit Permission Rule
Some RestrictionsROH § 20-1.1 (amending NFPA 1 Fire Code §§ 10.10.1, 10.10.1.1(2), 10.10.1.2-.3)
10.10.1 Open Burning Fires. Open burning shall be conducted in accordance with this section and may be prohibited when the AHJ determines such fires are a hazard. 10.10.1.1 Compliance. Open burning shall comply with the following: ... 2. Fires for Recreational, Decorative, or Ceremonial Purposes. Obtain written permission from the property owner. Submit a letter to the AHJ for approval at least...
Fireworks
ROH § 20-6.2 bans possessing, using, or exploding any consumer fireworks, aerial devices, articles pyrotechnic, or display fireworks anywhere in the City and County of Honolulu, and bans importing, storing, or selling fireworks, unless you hold a fire department license and permit under §§ 20-6.4, 20-6.12, or 20-6.13.
Honolulu Fireworks Ban and Permit Rules
Heavy RestrictionsROH § 20-6.2; § 20-6.9 (Article 6: Regulation of Fireworks)
§ 20-6.2 Prohibitions—Permitted uses. Except as otherwise provided in this article: (1) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess, use, explode, or cause to explode any consumer fireworks within the city; (2) It shall be unlawful for any person to possess, use, explode, or cause to explode any aerial device, articles pyrotechnic, or display fireworks within the city; and (3) It shall be un...
Outdoor Burning
The Honolulu Fire Code lets people burn outdoors only under listed conditions, and the fire department's Authority Having Jurisdiction can prohibit any open fire it judges hazardous anywhere on Oahu.
Honolulu Open Burning Needs AHJ Approval
Some RestrictionsROH § 20-1.1 (amending NFPA 1 Fire Code § 10.10.1)
10.10.1 Open Burning Fires. Open burning shall be conducted in accordance with this section and may be prohibited when the AHJ determines such fires are a hazard. 10.10.1.1 Compliance. Open burning shall comply with the following: 1. Fires for Cooking Food. Persons responsible for such fires not contained within an appliance, such as an imu, shall notify the HFD’s Fire Communication Center (“...
Smoke Detectors
When an addition is made to a Group R or I-1 building on Oahu, the existing structure must get single-station smoke alarms under the county's amended Existing Building Code.
Honolulu Smoke Alarm Rule for Additions
Some RestrictionsROH § 16-9.1 (amending Hawaii State Existing Building Code § 502.6)
502.6 Smoke alarms in existing portions of a building. Where an addition is made to a building or structure of a Group R or 1-1 occupancy, the existing building shall be provided with smoke alarms in accordance with Section 502.6.1 through 502.6.3 of this code. (11) Amending Section 502.6. Section 502.6 is amended by adding Sections 502.6.1 through 502.6.3 to read: 502.6.1 Single- and multi-s...
Propane Storage
Installing, dispensing or maintaining an LP-gas container on Oahu requires a Honolulu Fire Department permit under the city's amended Fire Code § 69.1.2.1, unless the tank is a portable container or interconnected set under 125 gallons water capacity. Permits are non-transferable, and distributors cannot fill an unpermitted tank.
Honolulu LP-Gas Tanks Need a Permit
Some RestrictionsROH § 20-1.1 (amending NFPA 1 Fire Code § 69.1.2.1)
69.1.2.1 Permits and Plans. A permit is required to install or dispense LP-Gas or maintain an LP-Gas container (tank). EXCEPTION: A permit is not required to install or maintain a portable container or the aggregate of interconnected containers of less than a 125-gallon water capacity. Permits shall not be transferable, and any change in use, occupancy, operation, ownership, vendor, or capacity...
Fire Regulations by City in Honolulu County
1 cities in Honolulu County have their own fire regulations rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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