Landscaping Rules in Honolulu County, HI (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Honolulu County, Hawaii.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
You cannot trim, prune, remove or plant a tree in the public right-of-way along an Oahu street on your own say-so. ROH § 10-1.4 puts the Department of Parks and Recreation in charge of shade trees, hedges and shrubs growing in city rights-of-way, and requires a permit before any private citizen touches a street tree.
Honolulu Street Tree Trimming Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsROH § 10-1.4
The director shall adopt rules pursuant to HRS Chapter 91, relative to the planting, trimming, and maintenance of all shade trees, hedges, and shrubs within the public right-of-way on public streets of the city, and relative to the issuance of permits for the replacement, removal, planting, spraying, trimming, or pruning of street trees by private citizens.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Honolulu bans removing or destroying any tree the City Council has designated "exceptional" under Chapter 40's tree-protection article; ROH § 40-8.8(a) makes it unlawful without council approval and fines violators up to $1,000, and even trimming an exceptional tree's shape or a branch needs a Department of Parks and Recreation permit under § 40-8.8(b).
Honolulu Exceptional Tree Removal Permit Rule
Heavy RestrictionsRevised Ordinances of Honolulu § 40-8.8(a)
(a) Tree removal or destruction. It is unlawful for any person, corporation, public agency, or other entity to remove or otherwise destroy any tree in the city that has been designated "exceptional" without approval from the council, except as provided in § 40-8.9. Any person who violates this section shall be fined not more than $1,000. (b) Tree maintenance. (1) It is unlawful for any pe...
Weed Ordinances
Uncultivated, flammable weeds taller than 18 inches within 30 feet of a building in residential and apartment zoning districts are a declared public nuisance under Honolulu's Housing Code, subject to abatement citywide across Oahu.
Honolulu Caps Weeds at 18 Inches Near Buildings
Some RestrictionsRevised Ordinances of Honolulu § 16A-2.1
Uncultivated, flammable weeds in excess of 18 inches in height located within 30 feet of any building: (A) In the apartment, apartment mixed use, or residential zoning districts; or (B) In a housing project developed in another zoning district pursuant to exemptions authorized by State law;
Native Plants
Honolulu directs that new or renovated city-funded landscaping, buildings, parks, and housing developed with public money, incorporate indigenous and Polynesian-introduced plants wherever feasible, prioritizing species native to Oahu under ROH § 14-1.2.
Honolulu Requires Native Plants in City Landscaping
Light RestrictionsROH § 14-1.2
Wherever and whenever feasible, all plans, designs, and specifications for new or renovated landscaping of any building, complex of buildings, facility, complex of facilities, park, or housing developed by the city with public moneys shall incorporate indigenous and Polynesian introduced plant species, provided that: (1) Suitable cultivated plants can be made available for this purpose without ...
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