Hawaii County, HI Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Who must trim
- owner of abutting land, own expense
- Area covered
- curb face to property line, incl. gutter
- Must control
- plants, weeds, trash, debris, noxious growth
- Governing section
- HCC § 22-4.6(a)
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Public Works director
- Related rule
- intersection sight-distance, § 22-2.2
Summary
HCC § 22-4.6(a) makes every owner of land abutting a County street responsible, at their own expense, for trimming, cutting, pruning and mowing landscape plants and clearing weeds, trash or debris in the sidewalk area so it does not damage the sidewalk or inconvenience pedestrians.
Every owner of land abutting on or adjoining any County street shall, at their own expense, maintain the sidewalk area and the portions of their properties that adjoin the sidewalks by trimming, cutting, pruning, mowing, sweeping or using other methods to control landscape plants, weeds, noxious growths, trash, debris or other materials that would damage the sidewalk area or interfere with or inconvenience pedestrian traffic. The sidewalk area shall include that portion of the County street between the outside face of the curb and the abutting property line. The sidewalk area shall also include the gutter when the gutter and curb are constructed as a single unit.
Full Breakdown
6(a). The duty covers landscape plants, weeds, noxious growths, trash, debris, and any other material that would damage the sidewalk area or interfere with or inconvenience pedestrian traffic, and the code requires the owner to use trimming, cutting, pruning, mowing or sweeping, whichever method controls the problem. This duty applies island-wide wherever a County-maintained street fronts private property, from Hilo neighborhoods to Kona subdivisions, because there is no municipal layer below the County; the Department of Public Works director is the official who enforces it.
2, which separately restricts anything three to eight feet tall within thirty feet of an intersection corner. If a hedge or tree limb both blocks the sidewalk and obstructs an intersection sightline, the property owner can be cited under both provisions.
Violations & Fines
Failing to trim landscape growth in the sidewalk area is a violation under HCC § 22-8.1, and the director can issue a notice of violation under § 22-8.2 ordering the owner to cut back the growth by a set date, with a civil fine of up to $1,000 plus up to $1,000 for each day the overgrowth is not corrected, appealable within thirty days to the County Board of Appeals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has to trim the hedge next to my sidewalk in Hilo?
What counts as the sidewalk area I'm responsible for?
Can I be fined for overgrown plants blocking the sidewalk?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hawaii County
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