Honolulu's Land Use Ordinance limits residential fences to 6 feet in side and rear yards and 4 feet in front yards. Fences over 6 feet require a Department of Planning and Permitting building permit.
Under LUO § 21-4.30 (Yards and Street Setbacks), walls and fences up to 6 feet may enclose any required yard in residential districts. Front yards in residential zones are limited to 4-foot fences. Fences and retaining walls 30 inches or under need no permit; those between 30 inches and 6 feet may qualify for the city's streamlined online permit. Fences exceeding 6 feet require a full building permit and DPP approval. Retaining walls containing fill in required yards cannot exceed 6 feet measured from existing grade under § 21-4.40. Properties near the shoreline in Special Management Areas face additional review requirements.
Violations result in DPP notices, fines, and mandatory removal orders. Enforcement is complaint-driven through the code enforcement division.
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu protects designated 'exceptional trees' under Revised Ordinances of Honolulu (ROH) Chapter 40, Article 8. Removing or destroying any exceptional tre...
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu has no city ordinance restricting lawn ornaments on residential property. HOA and condo covenants under HRS 421J and 514B commonly regulate ornament...
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu has no city ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Size and blower noise are governed by HOA and condo covenants under HRS 42...
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu has no municipal ordinance regulating residential holiday lights. Display timing, brightness, and animation are governed by HOA and condo covenants ...
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu requires DPP building permits for outdoor kitchens with gas line plumbing, electrical wiring, plumbing fixtures, or structural roofs/pergolas. Stand...
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu has no smoker-specific ordinance. Hawaii Department of Health air pollution rules under HAR Chapter 11-60.1 apply to large commercial sources, not r...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Honolulu County.
See how other cities in Honolulu County handle height limits.
See how Honolulu's height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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