Landscaping Rules in Hawaii (2026)
22 rules on the books across Hawaii, 4 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Tree Trimming
Rules about trimming trees that overhang sidewalks, streets, or neighboring properties, and when you need permission to prune city trees.
Hawaii County
Some RestrictionsHCC § 22-4.6(a) makes every owner of land abutting a County street responsible, at their own expense, for trimming…
Read full rule →Honolulu County
Some RestrictionsYou cannot trim, prune, remove or plant a tree in the public right-of-way along an Oahu street on your own say-so. ROH…
Read full rule →Kauai County
Some RestrictionsOn Kaua'i (Kaua'i County), no one may cut, trim, mutilate or remove any tree, bush or plant growing on a public highway…
Read full rule →Maui County
Some RestrictionsMaui County requires owners to trim any tree or shrub on their property that overhangs a sidewalk, street, or public…
Read full rule →Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Permit requirements for removing trees on private property, protected and significant tree thresholds, replacement planting standards, and the penalties for unpermitted removal.
Hawaii: statewide
StatewideHeavy RestrictionsHawaii's Exceptional Tree Act protects designated exceptional trees statewide. Removing, destroying, or damaging an…
Read full rule →Honolulu County
Heavy RestrictionsHonolulu bans removing or destroying any tree the City Council has designated "exceptional" under Chapter 40's…
Read full rule →Hawaii County
Significant RestrictionsHawai'i County protects designated "exceptional trees" under County Code Article 10 (Sections 14-56 to 14-64). It is…
Read full rule →Kauai County
Significant RestrictionsOn Kaua'i (Kaua'i County), only the 24 individually named trees the County Council has designated "exceptional" under…
Read full rule →Maui County
Significant RestrictionsCutting down, digging up, mutilating, or burning a street or park tree in Maui County requires prior authorization from…
Read full rule →Weed Ordinances
Requirements to keep weeds and grass below a set height, the numeric limits (commonly 8 to 12 inches), abatement notices, and the liens cities can place after mowing it themselves.
Hawaii County
Some RestrictionsHawai'i Revised Statutes 46-1.5(12) gives Hawai'i County the power to order refuse and uncultivated undergrowth cleared…
Read full rule →Honolulu County
Some RestrictionsUncultivated, flammable weeds taller than 18 inches within 30 feet of a building in residential and apartment zoning…
Read full rule →Kauai County
Some RestrictionsKaua'i County does not set a fixed weed or grass height limit; instead County Code § 22-9.2 defines "weeds" as…
Read full rule →Maui County
Some RestrictionsMaui County requires every property owner whose land abuts a county street to keep the adjoining sidewalk or shoulder…
Read full rule →Water Restrictions
Watering schedules, drought restrictions, and limits on outdoor irrigation including which days and times you can water your lawn.
Hawaii: statewide
StatewideHeavy RestrictionsHawaii's State Water Code establishes uniform water use regulation through the Commission on Water Resource Management…
Read full rule →Maui County
Significant RestrictionsWhen the Department of Water Supply declares a water shortage, Maui County Code section 14.06A.060(B) lets the director…
Read full rule →Hawaii County
Some RestrictionsThe County of Hawai'i Department of Water Supply can restrict water use during shortages, drought, or equipment…
Read full rule →Rainwater Harvesting
Whether you can collect rainwater, how much you can store, and any permits or tank size restrictions for residential rain barrels and cisterns.
Hawaii: statewide
StatewideFew RestrictionsHawaii's Department of Health runs a statewide program under HRS §340E-4.8 that tests residential rainwater catchment…
Read full rule →Hawaii County
Some RestrictionsHawai'i County treats a catchment tank like any other plumbing fixture: Section 5-3-1(b)(7) requires a permit to…
Read full rule →Maui County
Light RestrictionsMaui County allows private water catchment systems only in agricultural, residential, and rural zoned districts under…
Read full rule →Native Plants
Incentives or requirements for using native and drought-tolerant plants in your landscaping, and rules about replacing traditional lawns.
Hawaii: statewide
StatewideHeavy RestrictionsHawaii law protects endangered and threatened native plants on all lands statewide. Taking, destroying, or possessing…
Read full rule →Honolulu County
Light RestrictionsHonolulu directs that new or renovated city-funded landscaping, buildings, parks, and housing developed with public…
Read full rule →Hawaii County
Few RestrictionsHawai'i County's zoning code encourages, but does not require, xeriscape and native Hawaiian plant species when…
Read full rule →