Honolulu allows grills and small fire pits on private property. Fire pits must be 3 feet max diameter, 15 feet from structures, burn only clean firewood, and be supervised. Yard waste burning is banned.
Under the 2018 Hawaii State Fire Code Section 10.10 as adopted by Honolulu Fire Department, recreational fires are allowed on private residential property subject to these limits: maximum three-foot diameter and two feet in height, minimum 15-foot setback from any structure, fence, overhanging tree branch, or combustible material, and only clean seasoned firewood or manufactured fire logs as fuel. No trash, yard waste, leaves, treated wood, pallets, or accelerants are permitted. A responsible adult must supervise the fire continuously and have a garden hose, extinguisher, or other means of extinguishment ready. Fires are prohibited during declared red flag fire weather warnings, sustained winds over 20 mph, and within Wildland Urban Interface zones in leeward Oahu without specific HFD authorization. Gas or propane fire tables and patio heaters are exempt from the setback and size limits when CSA-certified for outdoor residential use. Condominium and HOA associations may impose stricter limits and many Waikiki high-rises prohibit all open flames on lanais. Smoke drifting onto neighbor property can trigger nuisance enforcement under ROH Chapter 29 even if the fire otherwise complies. Violations of the fire code are misdemeanors under HRS 132-14 with fines up to 1,000 dollars.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how Urban Honolulu's backyard fires rules stack up against other locations.
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