How do I find the ordinance that applies to my notice?

Check the citation on your notice and consult the City and County of Honolulu Code of Ordinances; contact the issuing department for the exact section if the notice does not list it.

What if I cannot pay the fine by the deadline?

Contact the issuing department immediately to ask about payment plans, extensions, or abatement options. The department will explain available administrative remedies.

Can I appeal a code enforcement order?

Yes. The notice or the enforcing department will explain the appeal or hearing process and any deadlines; file the appeal within the stated timeframe or contact the department for guidance.

Honolulu Code Enforcement: Pay Fines & Request Abatement

Housing and Building Standards Hawaii 4 Minutes Read · published February 09, 2026

Honolulu, Hawaii property owners and tenants who receive municipal code enforcement notices must act quickly to pay fines or request an abatement. This guide explains the city process for code violations, enforcement roles, common penalties, appeal routes, and practical steps to resolve notices in the City and County of Honolulu.

Penalties & Enforcement

The City and County of Honolulu enforces municipal ordinances through its code and administrative processes. Specific statutory authority and ordinance text are in the City code; see the municipal code for the controlling provisions City and County of Honolulu Code of Ordinances^[1]. The Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) or other designated enforcement divisions issue notices, orders, and administrative citations for violations; procedural guidance and contact points are available on the city enforcement pages Department of Planning and Permitting^[2].

Not all fine amounts and per-day rates are listed on the cited ordinance summary pages.

Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page; consult the cited ordinance sections or the issuing notice for the precise dollar amount.^[1]
Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing offence procedures vary by ordinance; specific escalation amounts or per-day penalties are not specified on the cited summary pages.^[1]
Non-monetary sanctions: abatement orders, stop-work orders, property repair orders, and referral to court for injunctive relief or prosecution are used as enforcement tools.^[2]
Enforcer and complaint pathway: primary enforcement often handled by DPP Code Enforcement or the department named in the ordinance; file complaints or request inspections via the DPP contact pages.^[2]
Appeals and reviews: administrative appeal procedures and time limits depend on the ordinance and the issuing department; the cited enforcement pages outline appeal contacts but specific statutory time limits are not specified on the summary pages.^[2]

Common violations and typical responses:

Unsafe or illegal building work - may prompt stop-work orders and abatement notices, with civil or criminal referral.
Overgrown lots or refuse accumulation - abatement orders and administrative fines.
Illegal signage or business without license - removal orders and fines.

Applications & Forms

The issuing department typically provides a notice of violation or citation that lists required actions, forms, or payment instructions. A general code enforcement complaint form and procedural pages are maintained by DPP; where a specific form number is required it will appear on the issuing notice or the department web page. For ordinance text and any forms linked to enforcement, consult the municipal code and the DPP contact pages.^[1]^[2]

How to pay a fine or request an abatement

Follow these steps when you receive a code enforcement notice in Honolulu.

Read the notice carefully: note the alleged violation, required corrective action, payment amount if listed, and the deadline.
Contact the issuing department for clarification and to ask whether an administrative payment portal, in-person payment, or mailed payment is accepted.
If the notice requires abatement, arrange repairs or removal and document steps with dated photos and receipts.
Submit proof of correction and any required forms to the issuing office before the deadline to avoid escalation.
If you intend to contest the notice, file an appeal or request a hearing within the time limit stated on the notice; if no time limit is listed, contact the issuing department immediately for the appeal deadline.

Document every corrective step and payment to support appeals or abatement confirmations.

FAQ

How do I find the ordinance that applies to my notice?: Check the citation on your notice and consult the City and County of Honolulu Code of Ordinances; contact the issuing department for the exact section if the notice does not list it.^[1]
What if I cannot pay the fine by the deadline?: Contact the issuing department immediately to ask about payment plans, extensions, or abatement options. The department will explain available administrative remedies.^[2]
Can I appeal a code enforcement order?: Yes. The notice or the enforcing department will explain the appeal or hearing process and any deadlines; file the appeal within the stated timeframe or contact the department for guidance.^[2]

How-To

Gather the enforcement notice and any supporting documents such as photos, receipts, permits, or contractor estimates.
Call or email the issuing department to confirm the exact violation code, required corrective actions, and payment instructions.
Complete corrective work or obtain necessary permits; keep dated records.
Submit proof of correction and any appeal paperwork to the department before the deadline.
Pay any assessed fines following the department payment instructions or attend the hearing if you contest the order.

If you miss an appeal deadline, you risk loss of administrative remedies and possible escalation to court actions.

Key Takeaways

Act promptly on notices to avoid escalation and additional costs.
Document corrections and payments to support appeals or abatement confirmation.
Contact the issuing department early for guidance on forms, deadlines, and payment options.