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HRS §111-8.5

How the state gets paid for code violations

When someone breaks a code, the state agency sends a written bill for the amount owed. If the property owner is responsible and doesn't pay within 60 days, the state can put a lien on the property. Paying the bill does not cancel the need to follow the state's orders to fix the violation.

landownersstate agenciestenants

The statute, as written — Reimbursement procedure

(a) The state agency shall make a written demand for the amount due under this chapter from any person responsible for a code violation. Such amount shall be recoverable by the state agency in the same manner as a debt due. (b) If the owner of real property from which persons are forced to move because of code enforcement is the person responsible for the code violation, and the owner fails to pay the state agency within sixty days after written demand, the state agency may claim a lien against the real property from which persons are displaced. This lien shall be in addition to any other remedy the state agency may have. Such lien may be foreclosed in the same manner as liens for state taxes and in accordance with sections 231-61 to 231-68. (c) Payments in accordance with this section to the state agency by the party responsible for the code violation shall not relieve the party from complying with the notices ordering compliance with codes issued by the state agency.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

Sections this one refers to

§231-61 When one co-owner pays the taxes, they can get a lien

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.