Honolulu County, HI Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)
Key Facts
- Removal notice
- 24 hours after posted notice
- Claim window
- 30 days before disposal
- Governing law
- ROH § 13-19.3
- Applies
- All public property, islandwide
Summary
The City and County of Honolulu bans storing personal property on public property islandwide, authorizing impoundment of encampment belongings left on sidewalks, medians, or parks after a 24-hour written notice under ROH Article 19.
No person shall store personal property on public property. All stored personal property may be impounded by the city. In the event personal property placed on public property interferes with the safe or orderly management of the premises or poses a threat to the health, safety, or welfare of the public, it may be impounded at any time by the city.
(b) Personal property placed on public property shall be stored personal property if it has not been removed from public property within 24 hours of service of the written notice required by §
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
ROH § 13-19.3 prohibits storing personal property, tents, belongings, furniture, on any city-owned street, sidewalk, median, park, or other public property. Property that interferes with safe management or poses a health or safety threat can be impounded immediately; otherwise the city posts a written notice under § 13-19.4 giving 24 hours to remove it before impoundment. Impounded items are stored and sold or disposed of if unclaimed within 30 days, with the owner billed for removal, storage, and disposal costs.
Violations & Fines
Leaving personal belongings on public property after the 24-hour notice period triggers impoundment; owners must reclaim items within 30 days or the city sells or disposes of them and bills all removal and storage costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the city remove a homeless encampment on a sidewalk?
How long before impounded belongings are thrown away?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Honolulu County
Compare Honolulu County to another location·View the Hawaii homelessness & encampment rules overview
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