Honolulu's 2015 bag ordinance, dramatically tightened in 2017, prohibits all plastic checkout bags at retailers islandwide on Oʻahu, including compostable plastics, making it one of the strongest US bag laws.
ROH Chapter 9 Article 9 bans businesses from providing plastic checkout bags at point of sale. The 2015 original allowed thicker reusable plastic; Bill 59 (2017) closed that loophole effective January 2020, banning all plastic carryout bags including biodegradable and compostable plastic. Recyclable paper bags and reusable bags are permitted but most retailers must charge a minimum 15-cent fee per bag. Restaurants, produce bags, and prescription bags are exempt. Hawaii does not preempt local bag rules — all four counties enacted their own bans, making Hawaii effectively bag-free statewide via local law.
Fines start at $100 for a first offense, escalating to $500 and $1,000 per day for repeat violations of the bag ordinance.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu protects designated 'exceptional trees' under Revised Ordinances of Honolulu (ROH) Chapter 40, Article 8. Removing or destroying any exceptional tre...
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu has no city ordinance restricting lawn ornaments on residential property. HOA and condo covenants under HRS 421J and 514B commonly regulate ornament...
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu has no city ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Size and blower noise are governed by HOA and condo covenants under HRS 42...
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu has no municipal ordinance regulating residential holiday lights. Display timing, brightness, and animation are governed by HOA and condo covenants ...
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu requires DPP building permits for outdoor kitchens with gas line plumbing, electrical wiring, plumbing fixtures, or structural roofs/pergolas. Stand...
Honolulu, HI
Honolulu has no smoker-specific ordinance. Hawaii Department of Health air pollution rules under HAR Chapter 11-60.1 apply to large commercial sources, not r...
See how Honolulu's plastic bag rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.