If the repair is yours to pay
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Default rule and exceptions
When the city reconstructs or repairs a sidewalk, curb, or driveway because the need for repair is attributable to the property owner's action, the full cost including overhead plus 7% annual interest is charged to the owner. The city may perform the work itself and bill afterward.
| Party | What they are responsible for |
|---|---|
| Property owner | Revised Ordinances of Honolulu Sec. 14-3.5(c): "the cost thereof, including overhead costs, plus accrued interest at the rate of 7 percent per year shall be charged to the owner," triggered when the need for repair "is caused by action or actions attributable to the owner." |
| City / public agency | The city performs the reconstruction/repair work itself; cost recovery from the owner is conditional on owner-caused damage, not automatic. |
| Exceptions | Damage not attributable to the owner: cost recovery provision does not apply |
What the source says
Last verified against the primary source on Sep 5, 2026.
the cost thereof, including overhead costs, plus accrued interest at the rate of 7 percent per year shall be charged to the owner,
is caused by action or actions attributable to the owner.
City rules rest on state law. Read Hawaii's sidewalk statute, quoted verbatim, or see all 50 states in one table.
Common questions
Who pays for sidewalk repair in Honolulu, HI?
Responsibility is shared. Revised Ordinances of Honolulu Sec. 14-3.5(c): "the cost thereof, including overhead costs, plus accrued interest at the rate of 7 percent per year shall be charged to the owner," triggered when the need for repair "is caused by action or actions attributable to the owner."
Are there exceptions in Honolulu, HI?
Damage not attributable to the owner: cost recovery provision does not apply
Is there any cost help for sidewalk repair in Honolulu, HI?
Damage not attributable to the owner: cost recovery provision does not apply
What is this based on for Honolulu, HI?
This verdict is sourced to Revised Ordinances of Honolulu Sec. 14-3.5 (owner billed only for owner-caused damage, with interest) and 3 sources in total, each independently re-checked before publication.
Sources
- Revised Ordinances of Honolulu Sec. 14-3.5 (owner billed only for owner-caused damage, with interest)official · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-27
- City and County of Honolulu official government siteofficial · verified-official · accessed 2026-09-05
- Revised Ordinances of Honolulu Sec. 14-3.5 (owner billed only for owner-caused damage, with interest)official · verified-primary · accessed 2026-09-27
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