Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Hawaii County, HI Parking Rules: RV & Boat Parking (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
HCC § 24-199
Abandonment threshold
unattended 24+ hours on a street
Fine
$250 flat, plus removal costs (§24-199(d))
Coverage
public streets and qualifying private streets (§24-2)
Enforcing agency
Hawai'i Police Department
Disposal procedure
follows HRS chapter 290

Summary

Hawai'i County treats an RV, boat trailer, or other wheeled equipment left unattended on a public street, or a qualifying private street, for more than 24 hours as abandoned under HCC §24-199. Police can impound it immediately as a public nuisance, and an identified registered owner owes a flat $250 fine plus every dollar of removal costs.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Hawaii County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

(a) No person shall abandon any special mobile equipment, vehicle, trailer, or equipment on wheels, whether operational or nonoperational, on the public highway. (b) For the purposes of this section, any special mobile equipment, vehicle, trailer, or equipment on wheels, whether operational or nonoperational, left unattended on any public or private street or thoroughfare which is subject to this chapter for more than twenty-four hours shall be deemed abandoned and may immediately be taken into custody by the police department. All such vehicles are declared to be public nuisances. (c) Such special mobile equipment, vehicles, trailers, or equipment on wheels shall be disposed of as required by chapter 290, Hawai'i Revised Statutes, as amended. (d) Where the registered owner of the abandoned special mobile equipment, vehicle, trailer, or equipment on wheels can be located, the registered owner of such special mobile equipment, vehicle, trailer, or equipment on wheels shall be subject to a fine of $250 and all reasonable expenses incurred by such removal.

Full Breakdown

Chapter 24 is Hawai'i County's traffic code, and it treats an RV, travel trailer, boat trailer, or other piece of towed or wheeled equipment left sitting on a street the same way it treats a broken-down car: as abandoned. Under §24-199(b), leaving a trailer, RV, boat trailer, or "equipment on wheels" unattended on a public street, or on a private street or thoroughfare the chapter already covers under §24-2 (one used by the public for more than six months, or one designated by the council), for more than twenty-four hours makes it legally abandoned.

The county declares that equipment a public nuisance, and the police department may take it into custody immediately, with no waiting period beyond the 24-hour clock itself. The "special mobile equipment" and "trailer" definitions in §24-3 sweep in travel trailers, camper trailers, boat trailers, and similar towed units; only devices moved solely by human power fall outside the chapter. Once impounded, the equipment is disposed of under HRS chapter 290's abandoned-vehicle procedure per §24-199(c). If the county can identify the registered owner, that owner owes a flat $250 fine plus every dollar the county spent on removal, under §24-199(d).

This traffic-code rule reaches vehicles and trailers left on streets and thoroughfares; it does not extend to equipment parked entirely within private property such as a driveway or side yard, which falls outside the street-based scope §24-2 sets for the chapter.

Violations & Fines

Leaving an RV, boat trailer, or other wheeled equipment unattended on a Hawai'i County street for more than twenty-four hours makes it a declared public nuisance under HCC §24-199(b); the police department can impound it immediately. If the county identifies the registered owner, that owner is billed a flat $250 fine plus every dollar of the county's towing, storage, and disposal costs under §24-199(d).

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can I park my boat trailer on a Hawai'i County street?
Under 24 hours. Section 24-199(b) deems any trailer, RV, or similar wheeled equipment left unattended on a street for more than twenty-four hours abandoned and subject to immediate police impoundment.
What's the fine for an abandoned RV or trailer?
If the county identifies the registered owner, HCC §24-199(d) sets a flat $250 fine on top of every dollar the county spent removing, hauling, and disposing of the equipment.
Does this rule cover private roads too?
Yes, if the private street or thoroughfare already falls under Chapter 24 per §24-2, meaning it has been used by the public for more than six months or is designated by the county council.
Does §24-199 regulate parking an RV in my own driveway?
No. It only reaches vehicles and trailers left on a public or covered private street; it does not apply to equipment parked entirely within private property such as a driveway or yard.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Hawaii County

All Hawaii County rules

How Hawaii County compares: Cities with the Strictest Parking Rules·Compare Hawaii County to another location·View the Hawaii parking rules overview

Get notified when RV & Boat Parking in Hawaii County, HI changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.