Maui County, HI Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

020 of the Maui County Code defines a 'hazardous tree or shrub' as any tree or shrub that overhangs or encroaches onto a sidewalk, street, or other public place in a way that impedes or interferes with pedestrian or vehicular traffic, or that obstructs a street lamp, traffic-control device, or utility line other than an electric power line. 090 puts the trimming duty on the property owner: any hazardous tree or shrub planted on private property must be trimmed by the owner of the premises so the hazard ceases.

A tree or shrub that interferes with utility lines but is not on private property must be trimmed by the affected utility company, except that private owners remain responsible for trimming growth that interferes with lines crossing their own property, other than electric power lines. If an owner does not trim a hazardous tree or shrub, the director of public works, once notified of the condition, can send the owner of record a written notice by certified mail describing the hazard and setting a 'reasonable time' to fix it, defined in the chapter as no more than fourteen calendar days from the mailing date.

If corrective steps are not taken within that window, the County may abate the condition itself to the extent necessary and assess the cost to the responsible owner; that cost becomes a lien on the property that runs with the land, enforceable the same way as a delinquent property-tax lien.