FEMA flood zone rules in Kailua, HI — also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules — determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.
Much of low-lying Kailua sits in FEMA-mapped flood zones, and ROH Chapter 21A sets elevation, foundation, and variance standards for development in these areas.
Chapter 21A adopts FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps under Sec. 21A-1.5 and imposes specific construction standards on properties in special flood hazard areas, including the areas around Kaelepulu Pond, Enchanted Lake, and the back-beach neighborhoods of Kailua. Section 21A-1.8 requires structures in flood fringe areas to be elevated to or above the base flood elevation, with additional requirements for venting, anchoring, and flood-resistant materials. Variances under Sec. 21A-1.12 are narrowly available. LUO Sec. 21-9.10 cross-references flood hazard standards for development approvals. Elevation certificates are typically required at permitting and closeout.
Building below base flood elevation without a variance, missing elevation certificates, or non-compliant materials can lead to permit revocation and insurance issues.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Kailua, HI
ROH §21-4.80 restricts outdoor amplified music and PA systems at Kailua commercial sites adjacent to residential districts, and §41-6.1 bars amplified sound ...
Kailua, HI
Retaining walls in Kailua follow ROH Sec. 21-4.40, which caps fill-retention walls within required yards at 6 feet. Terraced walls count toward combined heig...
Kailua, HI
Kailua households may keep no more than two chickens for noncommercial purposes, and roosters are prohibited outright. Enclosures must meet zoning setbacks a...
Kailua, HI
Kailua has no dedicated beekeeping ordinance. Beekeeping is treated as an agricultural accessory use permitted only in zoning districts that allow agricultur...
Kailua, HI
ROH 7-2.5 caps Kailua households at ten dogs or ten cats, and Hawaii state law criminalizes hoarding more than fifteen dogs and cats combined when neglect is...
Kailua, HI
Dogs in Kailua must be restrained by a leash no longer than eight feet on public streets, school grounds, and any public place, including popular beach-acces...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Honolulu County.
See how other cities in Honolulu County handle flood zones.
See how Kailua's flood zones rules stack up against other locations.
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