East Honolulu, HI Fence Regulations: Fence Permit Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Code Section
- ROH Chapter 18 (Building Code)
- Permit required - fences
- Greater than 6 feet
- Permit required - walls
- Greater than 30 inches
- Exempt
- Fences <= 6 ft; walls <= 30 in
- Permitting agency
- Honolulu Dept. of Planning and Permitting (DPP)
Summary
The City and County of Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting requires a building permit for any fence greater than 6 feet in height and any wall greater than 30 inches in height, under ROH Chapter 18. Fences at or below 6 feet and walls at or below 30 inches are exempt from the building permit requirement.
Do I need a permit to build a wall? Fences greater than 6 feet in height and walls greater than 30 inches in height require a building permit. Refer to ROH Chapter 18.
Full Breakdown
Building permits in East Honolulu are administered by the City and County of Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) under ROH Chapter 18 (Building Code). DPP's official guidance states plainly that fences greater than six feet in height and walls greater than 30 inches in height require a building permit. By contrast, a fence six feet or shorter, and a wall or retaining wall 30 inches or shorter, are exempt from the building permit requirement, though they must still comply with the Land Use Ordinance height and material rules in Chapter 21.
30(c) and the 30-inch retaining-wall fill threshold mean that, in practice, most conforming residential fences in East Honolulu do not need a building permit, but a permit is needed for taller masonry walls, retaining walls over 30 inches, and any over-height fence allowed by special exception. Permit applications are filed through DPP's Honolulu permitting system, and DPP recommends confirming the applicable threshold before construction.
Violations & Fines
Building a fence over six feet or a wall over 30 inches without a permit is a violation of ROH Chapter 18, subject to stop-work orders, civil fines, and after-the-fact permit penalties. Work done without a permit may have to be removed or brought into compliance at the owner's expense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a standard 6-foot backyard fence?
Does a low garden wall need a permit?
Who issues fence and wall permits in East Honolulu?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in East Honolulu
Compare East Honolulu to another location·View the Hawaii fence regulations overview
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