Honolulu County, HI Fence Regulations: Material Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Barbed/razor wire fences
- banned by default
- Exempt uses
- utilities, industrial, zoos, jails
- Required exception height
- at/above 6 ft
- Livestock pasture fences
- barbed wire allowed
Summary
Honolulu's building code prohibits barbed or razor wire on any fence, with narrow exceptions for utilities, hazardous-material industrial sites, zoos, jails, government security sites, and livestock pasture fencing.
431.2 Barbed or razor wire fences. Barbed or razor wire must not be used for construction of any fence. Exceptions: 1. Barbed or razor wire may be used in fences enclosing the following premises; provided that barbed or razor wire must be placed along or above the height of 6 feet from the ground, subject to the approval of the fire department
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-10: Supplement 10, 12-2025 Ordinance No. 25-40 through Ordinance No. 25-56).
Full Breakdown
Section 431.2 of the building code, adopted by ROH § 16-1.1, bars barbed or razor wire from fence construction citywide. Exceptions allow it only on fences for public utilities, industrial sites handling hazardous materials or in the I-2/I-3 districts, zoos, jails and law-enforcement or military facilities, and state-operated airports, harbors, and other secure government premises, and it must sit at or above 6 feet with fire department approval. Barbed wire is also allowed on fences enclosing land used for pasturing cattle or raising swine.
Violations & Fines
Installing barbed or razor wire on an ordinary residential or commercial fence violates the building code; the Department of Planning and Permitting can require its removal before a permit is finalized.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put barbed wire on my fence in Honolulu?
What height must exception wire be placed at?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Honolulu County
Compare Honolulu County to another location·View the Hawaii fence regulations overview
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