Can you keep backyard chickens in Hawaii?
Hawaii's counties zone land use by ordinance (HRS 46-4), so check yours. Raising pigeons or aviary game birds needs a state permit; whether chicken keepers must register wasn't established.
Read from 8 official sources38 passages quotedChecked October 26, 2026
At a glance
Registering your flock
Where hens can live
Bird-flu housing orders
Welfare rules
Who decides where hens can live
The state law we read gives a named local body its own powers over where hens can live. What the checked sources say:
- Counties zone by ordinance, within a long-range comprehensive general plan. Their ordinances may cover, among other things, the areas in which agriculture may be conducted, the areas in which residential uses may be regulated or prohibited, areas in which particular uses face special restrictions, and the time, place, manner and duration of uses of land.
- The council of each county prescribes the rules and procedures for enforcing its zoning ordinances.
No statewide permission or prohibition on keeping chickens is established by this finding. Your county zones land use by ordinance, so check with it. This page doesn't cover the State land use law (HRS chapter 205), county charters or county codes.
The law's own words are quoted under state rules on keeping poultry below.
How to check: Look up the local rules where you live (the ordinances, bylaws or zoning of the body named here), or ask that office, before you get hens.
A sourced reading of Hawaii's state law, not legal advice. Local ordinances and zoning, HOA rules, and any local rooster or coop limits aren't covered here yet: check your local code before you get hens.
Keeping your flock
These findings cover the national or state scope stated below. They do not determine whether chickens are allowed at a particular home. City zoning, property restrictions and other local rules are outside this research.
Registering as a poultry keeper
Conditions apply to this finding
Jurisdiction: Hawaii
Applies to: Hawaii’s Pigeon/Aviary Game Bird Permit (HAR 4-28-13, in the Poultry and Birds rules), read in the department’s posted copy of the rules, in effect from January 16, 2004; later amendments were not checked.
Outside this finding's scope
- The permit covers people who raise pigeons (rock doves) or aviary game birds (which include rare pheasant species raised for ornamental and aesthetic purposes, but not birds raised for food, fighting, baiting or similar commercial purposes); under these rules both are poultry. No permit or registration for keepers of chickens, or of poultry other than pigeons and aviary game birds, was found in these rules or in HRS 142-1, 142-2, 142-3, 142-6 and 142-9 and the chapter 142 table of contents, as read; this is not proof that none exists.
What the checked sources say
- Any person who raises pigeons or aviary game birds must obtain a Pigeon/Aviary Game Bird Permit, renewed every three years from the date of first registration.
Authority: Not established from the sources checked.
Fee: Not established from the sources checked.
The official wording
(a) Any person that raises pigeons or aviary game birds shall obtain a “Pigeon/Aviary Game Bird Permit” (Form DC-48, 8/03), that is a part of this chapter, shall be renewed every three years from the anniversary date of the initial date of registration.
HAR 4-28-13(a), first sentence · Checked
"Pigeon" means rock doves (Columbia livia).
HAR 4-28-2, "Pigeon" · Checked
"Aviary game bird" includes the various species of pheasant which are of rare nature and are generally propagated and raised for ornamental and aesthetic purposes, but does not pertain to birds raised for food, fighting, baiting, or for similar commercial purposes.
HAR 4-28-2, "Aviary game bird" · Checked
"Poultry" means ducks, geese, pigeons, and birds of the Order Galliformes such as chickens, turkeys, guinea fowls, peafowl, pheasants, grouse, partridges, and quail, including their eggs for hatching.
HAR 4-28-2, "Poultry" · Checked
[Eff JAN 16 2004 ]
HAR 4-28, effective-date note (e.g. after 4-28-12, 4-28-13) · Checked
Bird-flu housing orders
Current status needs rechecking
Check the official current-status pageOrders can change between checks. A missed check or an expired order does not establish that no order applies.
Housing-order finding as checked on 2026-10-26
The scope and conditions below are a dated record, not confirmation of today's position.
Conditions apply to this finding
Uses housing orders in this scope: Yes, according to the checked evidence, within the limits listed under “Outside this finding’s scope” below.
Jurisdiction: Hawaii
Applies to: The quarantine powers of Hawaii’s Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (HRS 142-2, 142-3 and 142-6, as published by the Legislature in files dated January 2026; Acts of the 2026 session were not checked) and the state veterinarian’s hold and quarantine orders for poultry and birds (HAR 4-28-12, read in the department’s posted copy of the rules, in effect from January 16, 2004).
Outside this finding's scope
- These powers do not in terms require birds to be kept indoors, and this finding does not establish that any quarantine, hold order or embargo applies now.
What the checked sources say
- The department may quarantine any animal known to be affected with, exposed to or susceptible to a contagious, infectious or communicable disease, and destroy it, when it judges this necessary to prevent the spread of the disease; it may also require disinfection of premises and materials contaminated by or exposed to disease. It may make rules for the quarantine of animals and the premises used with them at any time or place within the State.
- Under the Poultry and Birds rules, the state veterinarian may place a hold or quarantine order on any premise, district or island of the State, or an embargo on moving poultry and birds, whenever needed to prevent the spread of transmissible diseases to poultry, birds or humans. Quarantine there means the secure isolation and confinement of poultry or birds on a premise or in a designated area. No poultry or birds may be removed from or added to a quarantined premise or area except by permit, and a quarantine order lasts until the state veterinarian rescinds it.
- As checked on 26 October 2026, the department’s avian influenza page asked people to report sick or dying poultry to its Animal Industry Division at (808) 483-7100 or (808) 837-8092.
- Current mandatory housing status remains unconfirmed; check the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity’s avian influenza page.
- Checked
- Recheck due
Historical evidence, as checked
These quotations record what was checked on the dates shown. They do not confirm an order's current status.
(a) The department of agriculture and biosecurity shall have charge, direction, and control of all matters relating to the inspection of animals, including brand inspection, and the prevention and eradication of contagious, infectious, and communicable diseases among animals and of all matters relating to the animal industry within this chapter.
HRS 142-3(a) · Checked
The department of agriculture and biosecurity may quarantine any animal known to be affected with, to have been exposed to, or to be susceptible to, any contagious, infectious, or communicable disease, and destroy the same, when in the opinion of the department, such measure is necessary to prevent the spread of the disease.
HRS 142-6, first sentence · Checked
The department of agriculture and biosecurity may also require disinfection of premises and materials contaminated by or exposed to disease,
HRS 142-6, second sentence, first part · Checked
Subject to chapter 91, the department of agriculture and biosecurity may make and amend rules for the inspection, quarantine, disinfection, or destruction, either upon introduction into the State or at any time or place within the State, of animals and the premises and effects used in connection with the animals.
HRS 142-2, first sentence · Checked
The state veterinarian may deny permits for entry or movement of poultry, birds, day-old birds, and hatching eggs, or place a hold or quarantine order on any premise, district, or island of the State,
HAR 4-28-12, first part · Checked
or place an embargo on the movement of poultry and birds within the State or from another state or territory of the United States,
HAR 4-28-12, middle · Checked
whenever action is necessary to prevent the spread of transmissible diseases to poultry, birds, or humans. No poultry or birds shall be removed from or be added to a quarantined premise or area except by permit from the division.
HAR 4-28-12, end of first sentence and second sentence · Checked
A quarantine order shall remain in effect until rescinded by the state veterinarian.
HAR 4-28-12, last sentence · Checked
[Eff JAN 16 2004 ]
HAR 4-28-12, effective-date note · Checked
"Quarantine" means the secure isolation and confinement of poultry or birds on a premise or premises, or in an area designated by the state veterinarian.
HAR 4-28-2, "Quarantine", first sentence · Checked
No poultry or birds may be removed
from or added to these premises or areas except as permitted by the state veterinarian.
HAR 4-28-2, "Quarantine", second sentence (end, after page break) · Checked
"Poultry" means ducks, geese, pigeons, and birds of the Order Galliformes such as chickens, turkeys, guinea fowls, peafowl, pheasants, grouse, partridges, and quail, including their eggs for hatching.
HAR 4-28-2, "Poultry" · Checked
To report sick or dying poultry, please contact the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity’s Animal Industry Division at (808) 483-7100 or (808) 837-8092.
DAB Avian Influenza Information page, reporting paragraph · Checked
Small-flock welfare minimums
Conditions apply to this finding
Jurisdiction: Hawaii
Applies to: Hawaii’s offence of cruelty to animals in the second degree (HRS 711-1109), where an animal includes every living creature except a human being (HRS 711-1100), as published by the Legislature in files dated January 2026; Acts of the 2026 session were not checked.
Outside this finding's scope
- Chickens are not “pet animals” under HRS 711-1100 (dogs, cats, domesticated rabbits, guinea pigs, domesticated pigs, and caged birds of three named orders, if not bred for consumption), so the duty not to deprive a pet animal of necessary sustenance, and the pet enclosure rules, do not reach them on these definitions; confinement of poultry raised for meat or egg production is expressly outside the pet enclosure definition. The listed acts do not cover accepted veterinary practices, scientific research under accepted standards, or licensed pest control under a written contract. No numerical space standard for poultry was found.
What the checked sources say
- A person commits this offence by intentionally, knowingly or recklessly overdriving, overloading, torturing, tormenting, beating, causing substantial bodily injury to or starving any animal, or carrying any animal in or on a vehicle in a cruel or inhumane manner.
- It is a misdemeanor, or a class C felony if it involves ten or more pet animals at once.
The official wording
"Animal" includes every living creature, except a human being.
HRS 711-1100, "Animal" · Checked
"Pet animal" means a dog, cat, domesticated rabbit, guinea pig, domesticated pig, or caged birds (passeriformes, piciformes, and psittaciformes only) so long as not bred for consumption.
HRS 711-1100, "Pet animal" · Checked
"Primary pet enclosure" means any kennel, cage, or structure used to restrict only a pet animal as defined in this section to a limited area of space, and does not apply to the confinement of any animals that are raised for food,
such as any poultry that is raised for meat or egg production and livestock, rabbits, or pigs that are raised specifically for meat production because these animals are not pets when raised for meat or egg production.
HRS 711-1100, "Primary pet enclosure", second part · Checked
(1) A person commits the offense of cruelty to animals in the second degree if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly:
HRS 711-1109(1), opening · Checked
(a) Overdrives, overloads, tortures, torments, beats, causes substantial bodily injury to, or starves any animal, or causes the overdriving, overloading, torture, torment, beating, or starving of any animal;
HRS 711-1109(1)(a) · Checked
(b) Deprives a pet animal of necessary sustenance or causes that deprivation;
HRS 711-1109(1)(b) · Checked
(e) Carries or causes to be carried, in or upon any vehicle or other conveyance, any animal in a cruel or inhumane manner;
HRS 711-1109(1)(e) · Checked
(2) Subsection (1)(a), (b), (c), (e), (f), (g), and (h) shall not apply to: (a) Accepted veterinary practices; (b) Activities carried on for scientific research governed by standards of accepted educational or medicinal practices; or
HRS 711-1109(2)(a)-(b) · Checked
(c) Pest control operations conducted pursuant to chapter 149A by a pest control operator licensed pursuant to chapter 460J, if the pest control is performed under a written contract.
HRS 711-1109(2)(c) · Checked
"Poultry" means ducks, geese, pigeons, and birds of the Order Galliformes such as chickens, turkeys, guinea fowls, peafowl, pheasants, grouse, partridges, and quail, including their eggs for hatching.
(4) Cruelty to animals in the second degree is a misdemeanor, except that if the offense involves ten or more pet animals in any one instance, then cruelty to animals in the second degree is a class C felony.
HRS 711-1109(4) · Checked
National or state rules on keeping poultry
Conditions apply to this finding
Jurisdiction: Hawaii
Applies to: The zoning power of Hawaii’s counties (HRS 46-4), as published by the Legislature in files dated January 2026; Acts of the 2026 session were not checked.
Outside this finding's scope
- No statewide permission or prohibition on keeping chickens is established by this finding. Your county zones land use by ordinance, so check with it. This page doesn't cover the State land use law (HRS chapter 205), county charters or county codes.
What the checked sources say
- Counties zone by ordinance, within a long-range comprehensive general plan. Their ordinances may cover, among other things, the areas in which agriculture may be conducted, the areas in which residential uses may be regulated or prohibited, areas in which particular uses face special restrictions, and the time, place, manner and duration of uses of land.
- The council of each county prescribes the rules and procedures for enforcing its zoning ordinances.
The official wording
Zoning in all counties shall be accomplished within the framework of a long-range, comprehensive general plan prepared or being prepared to guide the overall future development of the county.
The zoning power granted in this section shall be exercised by ordinance, which may relate to:
(1) The areas within which agriculture, forestry, industry, trade, and business may be conducted;
HRS 46-4(a)(1) · Checked
(2) The areas in which residential uses may be regulated or prohibited;
HRS 46-4(a)(2) · Checked
(4) The areas in which particular uses may be subjected to special restrictions;
HRS 46-4(a)(4) · Checked
(12) The time, place, manner, and duration in which uses of land and structures may take place; and
HRS 46-4(a)(12) · Checked
The council of any county shall prescribe rules, regulations, and administrative procedures and provide personnel it finds necessary to enforce this section and any ordinance enacted in accordance with this section.
HRS 46-4(a), enforcement paragraph, first sentence · Checked
Bird flu right now? PoultryPal's bird-flu tracker for Hawaii has the latest we've checked.
Common questions
- Do I have to register backyard chickens in Hawaii?
- Registration: conditions apply. The finding covers: Hawaii’s Pigeon/Aviary Game Bird Permit (HAR 4-28-13, in the Poultry and Birds rules), read in the department’s posted copy of the rules, in effect from January 16, 2004; later amendments were not checked. Outside this finding's scope: The permit covers people who raise pigeons (rock doves) or aviary game birds (which include rare pheasant species raised for ornamental and aesthetic purposes, but not birds raised for food, fighting, baiting or similar commercial purposes); under these rules both are poultry. No permit or registration for keepers of chickens, or of poultry other than pigeons and aviary game birds, was found in these rules or in HRS 142-1, 142-2, 142-3, 142-6 and 142-9 and the chapter 142 table of contents, as read; this is not proof that none exists.
- Can I keep chickens in my backyard in Hawaii?
- The state law we read gives a named local body its own powers over where hens can live. Counties zone by ordinance, within a long-range comprehensive general plan. Their ordinances may cover, among other things, the areas in which agriculture may be conducted, the areas in which residential uses may be regulated or prohibited, areas in which particular uses face special restrictions, and the time, place, manner and duration of uses of land. The council of each county prescribes the rules and procedures for enforcing its zoning ordinances. No statewide permission or prohibition on keeping chickens is established by this finding. Your county zones land use by ordinance, so check with it. This page doesn't cover the State land use law (HRS chapter 205), county charters or county codes. Look up the local rules where you live (the ordinances, bylaws or zoning of the body named here), or ask that office, before you get hens.
- Do I have to keep my hens indoors for bird flu in Hawaii?
- Housing orders come and go, so we never show one as current. This page links the official status page to check today. PoultryPal's bird-flu tracker page for Hawaii has the latest we've checked.
Allowed where you live? Then keep the records.
PoultryPal tracks your birds, eggs, hatches, sales, and expenses — so you can see exactly how your flock is doing. Free to download on iOS and Android.
