Kailua property owners must consult ROH Sec. 18-3.1 to determine when a fence or wall requires a City and County of Honolulu building permit. Retaining walls and riprap walls 30 inches or less are exempt, but most taller structures require permits.
ROH 18-3.1 lists the permit thresholds that apply in Kailua and across Oahu. Retaining or riprap walls 30 inches or shorter (measured from the bottom of the footing) are exempt from building permits, but most fences exceeding 6 feet or any structural masonry walls require permits from the Department of Planning and Permitting. Coastal Kailua lots near shoreline setback areas may face additional Special Management Area (SMA) review. Permit applications require site plans showing property lines, proposed height, materials, and distance from structures. Inspections are required before final approval.
Building without a required permit results in stop-work orders, after-the-fact permit fees, and potential civil penalties per ROH Chapter 18.
Kailua, HI
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Kailua, HI
Kailua follows the state juvenile curfew under HRS Sec. 577-16, which bars children under 16 from public places between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. without a pa...
Kailua, HI
Kailua residents participate in the islandwide curbside recycling program established by the Director, which requires collection of at least two recyclable m...
Kailua, HI
Kailua residents must schedule appointment-based bulky waste pickup and set out items within strict windows, or face public nuisance charges and cost recovery.
Kailua, HI
Kailua carts and bins must be placed safely at the curb with proper clearance and timing under Honolulu's refuse ordinance, or collection may be refused.
Kailua, HI
Kailua residents must prepare and place refuse and recyclables for curbside collection following city rules on timing, bundle weight, and green waste dimensi...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Honolulu County.
See how other cities in Honolulu County handle permit requirements.
See how Kailua's permit requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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