Hawaii County, HI Outdoor Lighting: Billboard Lighting (2026)

Section 3-15, "Illuminated signs," requires that any permit application for a sign using electrical wiring and connections, or illuminated by an external light source such as a floodlight aimed at a billboard face, be submitted to the county electrical inspector rather than approved on the sign plan alone. The inspector examines the wiring and connection plans for compliance with Chapter 5D, the county electrical code, and separately for compliance with Chapter 14, Article 9, the county's outdoor lighting standards, which is the provision that actually constrains glare, spillage and fixture type for illuminated advertising displays.

is found," after which the plans return to the planning director for final action under Section 3-16's permit-application process. Because Section 3-7(a)(13) already bans billboards and outdoor advertising devices prohibited by HRS Chapter 445, Section 3-15's practical reach on Hawaii Island is to the illuminated signage that district rules in Sections 3-9 through 3-12 do permit, such as lit ground, wall, roof and marquee signs, ensuring their lighting also clears the Article 9 outdoor-lighting standards before a permit issues. This dual-clearance requirement was carried forward in the 2020 amendment (Ordinance 20-61) that updated the construction-permit cross-references in this article.