East Honolulu, HI Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Code Section
- ROH Sec. 21-4.30(c)
- Standard max (any required yard)
- 6 feet
- Front yard (business/industrial districts)
- Fences prohibited in required front yard
- Public utility fences
- 8 ft (9 ft with security wire)
- Agricultural-dedicated land
- Up to 10 feet
Summary
In East Honolulu, which is governed by the City and County of Honolulu Land Use Ordinance, walls and fences (other than retaining walls) up to 6 feet may enclose or project into any required yard. Public-utility fences may reach 8 feet (9 feet with security wire), and fences on agriculturally dedicated land may reach 10 feet.
(c) Other than retaining walls, walls and fences up to a height of six feet may project into or enclose any part of a required yard, except that:
(1) They shall be prohibited in front yards in business, business mixed use, industrial, and industrial-commercial mixed use districts.
(2) Walls and fences constructed by public utilities may be up to eight feet in height, and may be topped with security wire to a total height of nine feet.
(3) Special district regulations under Article 9 may provide for other restrictions.
(4) Fences located on land dedicated for agricultural use pursuant to Section 8-7.3 may be up to ten feet in height.
Full Breakdown
East Honolulu is an unincorporated community within the City and County of Honolulu, so the Honolulu Land Use Ordinance (LUO), Chapter 21 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu, controls fence and wall heights. 30(c) provides that, other than retaining walls, walls and fences up to a height of six feet may project into or enclose any part of a required yard. 3 may be up to ten feet. Because most of East Honolulu (Hawaii Kai, Aina Haina, Niu Valley, Kuliouou, Waialae-Kahala) is in residential zoning districts, the practical limit for a homeowner's fence or wall in any required yard, including the front yard, is six feet. 60).
Violations & Fines
Fence and wall height violations are enforced by the City and County of Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP). A structure exceeding the six-foot limit can trigger a notice of violation, a civil fine, and an order to lower or remove the structure. Building a fence over six feet (or a wall over 30 inches) without the required building permit is a separate violation under ROH Chapter 18.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall a fence can I build around my Hawaii Kai home?
Does the six-foot limit apply to the front yard too?
Can I build a taller fence on agricultural land?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in East Honolulu
How East Honolulu compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare East Honolulu to another location·View the Hawaii fence regulations overview
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