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Maui County, HI Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

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

Key Facts

Approval needed
Director of public works sign-off
Planting guide
Landscape planting plan, § 12.24A.040
Owner duty
Water, fertilize, weed planting strip
County duty
General maintenance of designated street trees
Subdivisions
Street-tree rules set under Title 18
Penalty
Up to $500 for neglecting strip

Summary

Maui County's Landscape Planting and Beautification chapter puts street-tree planting and upkeep under the director of public works. A landowner may plant a tree in the County right-of-way abutting their property only with the director's approval, and abutting owners must water, fertilize, and weed the planting strip themselves.

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

A.The director of public works shall be responsible for overseeing and coordinating the planting and maintenance of trees in rights-of-way of streets in the County.B.The landowner abutting a street, avenue, road, or highway under the jurisdiction of the County may plant a street tree within the County right-of-way abutting the landowner's property with the approval of the director of public works subject to reasonable conditions consistent with the landscape planting plan's recommendations relating to planting methods, irrigation, and types of trees. ... E.The department of public works shall be responsible for all general maintenance of street trees that are designated to be maintained by the County except that the property owner abutting any planting strip shall be responsible for watering and occasional fertilizing. The property owner abutting any planting strip shall also be responsible for the maintaining and weeding of the planting strip.

Full Breakdown

070 of the Maui County Code, part of the Landscape Planting and Beautification chapter, assigns the director of public works responsibility for overseeing and coordinating the planting and maintenance of trees within street rights-of-way countywide. A landowner abutting a street, avenue, road, or highway may plant a street tree in the County right-of-way fronting their property, but only with the director's approval and subject to conditions consistent with the landscape planting plan's recommendations on planting methods, irrigation, and tree species; any other person may likewise plant a street tree there with the same director approval.

For new subdivisions, street-tree requirements are set instead under title 18 of the code. Maintenance responsibility is split: the department of public works handles general maintenance of street trees the County has designated for County upkeep, but the property owner abutting the planting strip is responsible for watering and occasional fertilizing, plus maintaining and weeding the strip itself. 040 and must include an official list of approved street trees and guidance on which species suit each part of the County. 100(B), punishable by a fine of up to $500.

Violations & Fines

Failing to water, fertilize, or weed an abutting planting strip as section 12.24A.070(E) requires is a violation under section 12.24A.100(B), punishable by a fine of up to $500 upon conviction. Planting a street tree in the right-of-way without the director of public works' approval also runs afoul of section 12.24A.070(B)-(C).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I plant a tree in the road right-of-way in front of my Maui County home?
Yes, but only with approval from the director of public works under section 12.24A.070(B); the tree must also fit the landscape planting plan's recommended species, planting methods, and irrigation for that right-of-way.
Who waters and weeds the strip in front of my property?
You do. Section 12.24A.070(E) makes the abutting property owner responsible for watering, occasional fertilizing, and weeding the planting strip, even though the County's public works department handles general maintenance of the street trees themselves.
What happens if I don't maintain the planting strip?
Failing to water, fertilize, or weed the strip as section 12.24A.070(E) requires is a violation under section 12.24A.100(B), carrying a fine of up to $500 on conviction, and repeated neglect can prompt a written notice similar to the hazardous-tree process in section 12.24A.090.
Do new subdivisions have different street-tree rules?
Yes. Section 12.24A.070(D) defers to title 18 of the Maui County Code, the subdivision ordinance, for the street-tree planting requirements that apply when a new subdivision is developed.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Maui County

All Maui County rules

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