Hawaii Backyard Chicken Laws: Permits by County and City
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How Many Chickens Can You Have in Hawaii City Limits?
Hawaii has no statewide hen cap. Counties set the rules. Honolulu allows up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household. Hawaii County allows 2 hens on the first 3,000 sq ft, plus 1 hen per additional 1,000 sq ft. Roosters are not allowed in those residential rules. Maui publishes a 20-foot dwelling setback and no hen number. Kauai has no published hen ordinance.
Official Sources
We reference Hawaii ordinances from verified platforms like ecode360.com, municode.com, and local government websites at the time of publication.
Revised Ordinances of Honolulu, Chapter 12, Article 2
HDOA Poultry and Bird Import Rules
Note: Not specified means no specific requirement was identified in the applicable municipal sources reviewed. No published ordinance means no hen, rooster, permit, or setback rule was found in the city’s published code.
⚠️Always verify with your local jurisdiction or HOA before you build your coop.
Hawaii Ordinances by County & City
Hawaii County, HI
Hilo, HI
Hen Limit: 2 hens on the first 3,000 sq ft, plus 1 hen per additional 1,000 sq ft | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: 20 ft from other residential districts
Hawaiian Paradise Park, HI
Hen Limit: 2 hens on the first 3,000 sq ft, plus 1 hen per additional 1,000 sq ft | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: 20 ft from other residential districts
Kaiminani, HI
Hen Limit: 2 hens on the first 3,000 sq ft, plus 1 hen per additional 1,000 sq ft | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: 20 ft from other residential districts
Waimea CDP, HI
Hen Limit: 2 hens on the first 3,000 sq ft, plus 1 hen per additional 1,000 sq ft | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: 20 ft from other residential districts
Waikoloa Village, HI
Hen Limit: 2 hens on the first 3,000 sq ft, plus 1 hen per additional 1,000 sq ft | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: 20 ft from other residential districts
Kahaluu-Keauhou, HI
Hen Limit: 2 hens on the first 3,000 sq ft, plus 1 hen per additional 1,000 sq ft | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: 20 ft from other residential districts
Honolulu County, HI
Honolulu, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
Kailua CDP, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
East Honolulu, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
Kaneohe, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
Pearl City, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
Waipahu, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
Mililani Town, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
Ewa Gentry, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
Kapolei, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
Mililani Mauka, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
Makakilo, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
Wahiawa, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
Ocean Pointe, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
Schofield Barracks, HI
No published ordinance
Halawa, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
Ewa Beach, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
Royal Kunia, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
Waimalu, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
Waianae, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
Nanakuli, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
Maili, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
Waipio, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
Makaha, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
Hickam Housing, HI
No published ordinance
Aiea, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
Ahuimanu, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
East Kapolei, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
Waikele, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
Ewa Villages, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
Waimanalo, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
Laie, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
Kahaluu, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
West Loch Estate, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
Waipio Acres, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
Iroquois Point, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
Heeia, HI
Hen Limit: Up to 2 chickens or peafowl per household | Roosters: Not allowed | Permit: Not specified | Setback: Side or rear yard
Kauai County, HI
Kapaa, HI
No published ordinance
Lihue, HI
No published ordinance
Wailua Homesteads, HI
No published ordinance
Hanamaulu, HI
No published ordinance
Maui County, HI
Kahului, HI
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not specified | Permit: Not specified | Setback: 20 ft from any dwelling
Kihei, HI
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not specified | Permit: Not specified | Setback: 20 ft from any dwelling
Wailuku, HI
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not specified | Permit: Not specified | Setback: 20 ft from any dwelling
Lahaina, HI
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not specified | Permit: Not specified | Setback: 20 ft from any dwelling
Waihee-Waiehu, HI
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not specified | Permit: Not specified | Setback: 20 ft from any dwelling
Haiku-Pauwela, HI
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not specified | Permit: Not specified | Setback: 20 ft from any dwelling
Pukalani, HI
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not specified | Permit: Not specified | Setback: 20 ft from any dwelling
Makawao, HI
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not specified | Permit: Not specified | Setback: 20 ft from any dwelling
Napili-Honokowai, HI
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not specified | Permit: Not specified | Setback: 20 ft from any dwelling
Kula, HI
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not specified | Permit: Not specified | Setback: 20 ft from any dwelling
Wailea, HI
Hen Limit: Not specified | Roosters: Not specified | Permit: Not specified | Setback: 20 ft from any dwelling
Selling Backyard Eggs in Hawaii
Eggs from your own hens sold only to the person who will eat them need no cottage-food permit. Mark the carton ungraded, add your name and address, and include the keep-refrigerated handling line. Sales to stores sit outside this page.
Hawaii Poultry Slaughter Rules
Birds you raise may be processed on your property for your household and unpaid guests. That meat cannot be sold. Sanitation and local nuisance rules still apply, and some residential areas block on-lot processing.
Essential Guides for Backyard Chicken Success
To combat tropical pests and maintain high airflow in Hawaii, we recommend our open-air DIY coop layout which is perfectly suited for the island climate. For ongoing care, view our Ultimate Backyard Chicken Coop Management Guide.