Can I keep chickens in Hilo, HI?
Yes — Hilo allows backyard chickens with no permit required. Roosters are prohibited, and coops must be at least 20 ft from neighboring lines/homes. (Hawaii County Code §25-4-18 (Household Henneries); §25-1-5 (Definitions), verified June 2026)
The full rules
| Chickens allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Roosters | Prohibited |
| Permit required | No |
| Coop setback | 20 ft |
| Coop rules | Confinement area must be at least 20 ft from any non-RA residential district boundary. Non-commercial use only. |
| Code section | Hawaii County Code §25-4-18 (Household Henneries); §25-1-5 (Definitions) |
Hawaii County Code §25-4-18 (enacted via Bill 52, November 19, 2025) establishes household henneries as a permitted accessory use in RS, RD, RM, RCX, and RA zones. Hen limit scales with lot size: 2 hens for the first 3,000 sq ft, plus 1 additional hen per each additional 1,000 sq ft. Roosters are strictly prohibited; only female chickens, ducks, guinea hens, and quails are permitted. No permit required; commercial sale is prohibited.
Common questions
Can I keep chickens in Hilo?
Yes — chickens are allowed in Hilo (Hawaii County Code §25-4-18 (Household Henneries); §25-1-5 (Definitions)).
How many chickens can I keep in Hilo?
It depends on your lot. 2 hens, +1 per 0.001 sq ft above 3,000.
Do I need a permit to keep chickens in Hilo?
No — no permit is required for the base allowance in Hilo.
Are roosters allowed in Hilo?
No — roosters are prohibited in Hilo.
How far must a chicken coop be from the property line in Hilo?
20 feet minimum. Confinement area must be at least 20 ft from any non-RA residential district boundary. Non-commercial use only.
What law covers backyard chickens in Hilo?
Hawaii County Code §25-4-18 (Household Henneries); §25-1-5 (Definitions). Read the official text at the source linked on this page.
The actual law
Hawaii County Code §25-4-18 (Household Henneries); §25-1-5 (Definitions) — read the official code
“Section 25-4-18. Household henneries. [Hawaii County Code Chapter 25, enacted via Bill 52, effective November 19, 2025]” source
“2 hens for the first 3,000 sq ft of building site, plus 1 additional hen per each extra 1,000 sq ft; confinement area must be at least 20 feet from any non-RA residential district boundary. (Bill 52, enacted Nov 19, 2025)” source
“Household hennery means an outdoor site on a parcel or lot that is an accessory use to a dwelling where female chickens, ducks, guinea hens, and quails are kept, raised, and maintained for the non-commercial production and consumption of eggs.” source
Last verified June 15, 2026. Always confirm with your municipality — HOA rules can be stricter than city code. How we verify →
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