Maui County, HI Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- General fence/wall cap
- 7 ft (setback area, §19.08.050)
- Corner clearance zone
- Within 30 ft of an intersection
- Corner height limit
- 3 ft for fences, hedges, trees
- Corner violation fine
- Up to $100 plus removal order
Summary
Maui County caps residential fences and walls at 7 feet under Maui County Code Section 19.08.050, but drops that limit to 3 feet within 30 feet of any street intersection under Section 12.20.010, the county's hedges-and-fences-at-intersections law, to keep sightlines clear for approaching drivers.
No person, firm or corporation owning, occupying or having or being entitled to the possession and/or occupancy of real property at and near the intersections of any public highways in the county shall plant, maintain or permit the growth of any hedge, shrubbery, or trees or similar obstructions more than three feet in height, or construct or maintain or permit to remain any fences over three feet above the level of the road along or adjacent to any public highways within thirty feet of the intersection of the curb or property line of such highway and of any other public highway in the county. ... Walls and fences May not exceed 7 feet in height
Full Breakdown
050 lists what may sit inside a residential yard setback without a variance, and 'walls and fences' top that list at 'may not exceed 7 feet in height,' alongside separate rules for roof eaves, porches and utility equipment. That 7-foot cap is the general rule anywhere in the R-1, R-2 and R-3 setback area. 20, a much older provision carried from the county's prior code, overrides that height at intersections: no one may 'plant, maintain or permit the growth of any hedge, shrubbery, or trees or similar obstructions more than three feet in height,' or build or keep 'any fences over three feet above the level of the road,' within 30 feet of the intersection of the curb or property line of a public highway with any other public highway in the county.
The rule covers both living obstructions and fences, treating a tall hedge exactly like a tall fence for corner-visibility purposes, and it applies countywide wherever two public roads meet, from Wailuku's older grid to newer subdivisions on Maui, Molokai and Lanai.
Violations & Fines
Violating the 30-foot corner-clearance rule is punishable, upon conviction, by a fine not exceeding $100 under Section 12.20.020, and the County may also sue to force removal of the offending fence, hedge or tree. A fence over 7 feet built inside a residential yard setback is instead a Title 19 violation enforced under Section 19.530, carrying civil fines up to $1,000 plus up to $1,000 per day it remains, and criminal fines up to $1,000 for repeat offenses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my fence be in Maui County?
Is there a lower limit near a corner?
What happens if my fence or hedge is too tall at a corner?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Maui County
How Maui County compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Maui County to another location·View the Hawaii fence regulations overview
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