Honolulu noise ordinance: rules and who to call

Does Honolulu have quiet hours?

Quiet hours: No city quiet hours for homes. State rules for construction and stationary equipment: 55 dBA by day and 45 dBA from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. in residential areas. Permitted construction can't go over the limits before 7 a.m. or after 6 p.m. on weekdays, before 9 a.m. or after 6 p.m. on Saturday, or at all on Sundays and holidays.
Right now: Checking the clock for Honolulu.
Who to call: Honolulu Police Department main number: 808-529-3111. Hawaii Department of Health Noise Section (construction and equipment): 808-586-4700. Emergencies: 911.
The law: Hawaii Revised Statutes § 711-1101, Revised Ordinances of Honolulu Chapter 12, Article 2, and Chapter 41, Article 6. Read the code

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We checked this against the city's code and website on November 9, 2026.

Honolulu is the one big city where the city code says little about a loud neighbor at home. The city's noise article, Chapter 41, Article 6 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu (ROH), covers sound devices on public property and in cars on public streets. Noise from a house or apartment falls under state law, and barking dogs fall under a separate city rule.

What is too loud in Honolulu?

Hawaii Revised Statutes § 711-1101 makes it disorderly conduct to make "unreasonable noise." Noise is unreasonable if it is a gross deviation from how a law-abiding person would act, given the place and the time of day or night (§ 711-1101(2)). It is also unreasonable if the person fails to heed a police officer's warning that the noise should be stopped or reduced.

The same subsection covers hosts. A renter, resident or owner-occupant who knowingly or negligently allows unreasonable noise on the premises is guilty of a noise violation.

On public property, such as streets, sidewalks and parks, and in a car on a public street, a stereo or other sound device can't be audible 30 feet away (ROH § 41-6.1).

The state's decibel limits in Hawaii Administrative Rules § 11-46-4 apply only to stationary equipment, such as air conditioners and pumps, and to construction, farm and industrial equipment. In residential areas the limit is 55 dBA from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and 45 dBA from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. In areas zoned for apartments or businesses it is 60 dBA and 50 dBA.

Barking dogs

Under ROH § 12-2.2, an animal is a nuisance if it makes noise continuously or incessantly for 10 minutes, or on and off for half an hour or more. Section 12-2.3 makes it unlawful to own an animal that does this. It is not a nuisance if someone was trespassing or provoked the animal. The city's animal control contractor, working with the police, provides a complaint form for residents (§ 12-2.6).

Construction and yard work

The Hawaii Department of Health issues noise permits for construction. Under HAR § 11-46-7(j), no permit allows construction noise over the limits before 7 a.m. or after 6 p.m. on weekdays, before 9 a.m. or after 6 p.m. on Saturday, or at any time on Sundays and holidays. The Department of Health's Noise Section handles complaints about construction, industrial and farm noise and stationary equipment, at 808-586-4700. The rules set no separate hours for lawn mowers.

How do I report noise in Honolulu?

For a loud party or music next door, call the Honolulu Police Department. Its main number is 808-529-3111. For an emergency, call 911. For construction or equipment noise, call the Department of Health Noise Section at 808-586-4700.

Fines and penalties

Disorderly conduct under § 711-1101 is a violation. It becomes a petty misdemeanor if the person keeps going after a reasonable warning or request to stop, or meant to cause serious inconvenience (§ 711-1101(3)).

For a barking dog, the fine is $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second within two years, and $1,000, up to 30 days in jail, or both for a third within two years (ROH § 12-2.10). The fines can't be suspended. An officer may send the owner a warning letter instead of a citation for a first barking offense.

A car stereo or other device heard 30 feet away on public property costs $100 for a first offense, $500 for a second within six months, and $1,000 or loss of the sound system for a third within a year (ROH § 41-6.3).

Keeping a noise log

The barking rule turns on minutes: 10 minutes straight, or half an hour on and off. Write down when the barking starts and stops. The Noisy Neighbor iPhone app logs each incident with the date, time, length and an estimated decibel level. It exports a PDF report. Phone readings are estimates.

Honolulu noise FAQ

What are the quiet hours in Honolulu?

No city quiet hours for homes. State rules for construction and stationary equipment: 55 dBA by day and 45 dBA from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. in residential areas. Permitted construction can't go over the limits before 7 a.m. or after 6 p.m. on weekdays, before 9 a.m. or after 6 p.m. on Saturday, or at all on Sundays and holidays.

Who do I call about a noisy neighbor in Honolulu?

Honolulu Police Department main number: 808-529-3111. Hawaii Department of Health Noise Section (construction and equipment): 808-586-4700. Emergencies: 911.

Where are Honolulu's noise rules?

Hawaii Revised Statutes § 711-1101, Revised Ordinances of Honolulu Chapter 12, Article 2, and Chapter 41, Article 6. There is a link to the official code at the top and bottom of this page.

Who do I call about a loud neighbor in Honolulu?

The Honolulu Police Department. Unreasonable noise is disorderly conduct under state law, HRS § 711-1101. Ignoring an officer's warning to turn it down counts as unreasonable noise.

What is the fine for a barking dog in Honolulu?

$250 for a first offense, $500 for a second within two years, and $1,000, up to 30 days in jail, or both after that (ROH § 12-2.10). An officer may send a warning letter instead of a citation for a first offense.

Sources

Last checked November 9, 2026. Laws change, so check the official code before you act. This is not legal advice.