East Honolulu, HI Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)
Key Facts
- Code Section
- ROH Sec. 21-4.40
- Max fill retaining wall (required yard)
- 6 feet
- Wall protecting a cut
- No height limit (6 ft if also holds fill)
- Safety railing of different material
- <= 6 ft above the wall
- Permit threshold
- Walls over 30 inches (ROH Ch. 18)
Summary
In East Honolulu, retaining walls containing fill within a required yard may not exceed six feet, measured from the lower of existing or finish grade to the top of the wall. Walls protecting a cut have no height limit, and safety railings or fences on top of a retaining wall are limited so the combined height stays within prescribed limits.
(a) Retaining walls containing a fill within required yards shall not exceed a height of six feet, measured from existing or finish grade, whichever is lower, to the top of the wall along the exposed face of the wall. Heights of terraced walls or combinations of retaining walls shall be measured combining all walls located in the required yard.
(b) A retaining wall that protects a cut below the existing grade may be constructed within a required yard, up to the height of the cut. There shall be no height limit for retaining walls which protect a cut, except that a retaining wall which protects a cut and contains fill shall not exceed a total of six feet in height measured from the intersection of the wall and the existing or finish grade, whichever is lower, to the top of the wall along the exposed face of the wall.
(c) A safety railing may be erected on top of any retaining wall within a required yard. If the safety railing is generally constructed of a different material than the retaining wall, and is open at intervals so as not to be capable of retaining earth, it shall not exceed a height of six feet above the retaining wall.
Full Breakdown
40 of the Honolulu Land Use Ordinance. A retaining wall containing fill within a required yard may not exceed six feet, measured from existing or finish grade (whichever is lower) to the top of the wall along the exposed face; terraced or combined retaining walls in the required yard are measured together. A retaining wall protecting a cut below existing grade has no height limit, except that a wall that both protects a cut and contains fill is capped at a total of six feet.
A safety railing may be erected on top of any retaining wall in a required yard; if it is a different material than the wall and open at intervals so it cannot retain earth, it may not exceed six feet above the retaining wall. 2(A) and (B)). Retaining walls over 30 inches require a building permit under ROH Chapter 18.
Violations & Fines
Retaining walls that exceed the six-foot fill limit in a required yard, or combined wall-plus-fence assemblies over the allowed height, are enforced by DPP and may require redesign, lowering, or removal, plus after-the-fact permit penalties for walls over 30 inches built without a permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a retaining wall be in my yard?
Can I add a fence on top of my retaining wall?
Does a retaining wall need a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in East Honolulu
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