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HCC §3-58

Sign size and lettering limits for different sign types

Read the official text at hawaiicounty.gov ↗

This section sets the maximum sizes for different kinds of signs, like directory, ground, marquee, projecting, wall, and window signs, based on the lot's street frontage. It also limits the height of letters and symbols on signs. Special rules apply in certain areas like Kailua Village Core and Kailua Industrial Subdivision.

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The ordinance, as written (Hawaiʻi County) — Sign area/size and lettering size

A copy, taken August 21, 2026. The version published by Hawaiʻi County is the one that governs, and it may have changed since. Check it before relying on anything here.

(a) Unless otherwise provided, the maximum permitted surface area/size of any sign oriented to any public street, park, other public place or pedestrian way shall be: (1) Directory sign. (A) If the lot frontage is up to thirty lineal feet, a directory sign may not exceed twelve square feet, except that no wall directory sign may exceed the lesser of twelve square feet or fifteen percent of the wall area on which it is located. (B) If the lot frontage is greater than thirty lineal feet, a directory sign may not exceed twenty-two square feet, except that no wall directory sign may exceed the lesser of twenty-two square feet or fifteen percent of the wall area on which it is located. (C) A directory sign, either wall or ground sign, shall not exceed sixteen square feet in the Kailua Village Core. (2) Ground sign. (A) If lot frontage is up to thirty lineal feet, a ground sign shall not exceed twelve square feet for any building or portion of a building under separate management or control and not exceed six feet in elevation from the ground. (B) If lot frontage is greater than thirty lineal feet, a ground sign shall not exceed twenty-two square feet for any building or portion of a building under separate management or control and not exceed eleven feet in elevation from the ground. (3) Marquee sign. (A) A sign attached to the underside of a marquee (hanging sign) for each business conducted on the premises shall not exceed nine square feet in area, and the lower edges must be at least seven and one-half feet above the ground. (B) A sign attached to or otherwise displayed upon the face of the marquee shall not exceed a total sign area of twenty-two square feet or fifteen percent of the marquee area on which it is displayed, whichever is less. (4) Projecting sign. (A) A projecting sign for each business conducted on the premises, stating the name and the nature of the business, may only occur on an exterior wall without an overhang and shall not exceed sixteen square feet. (5)Wall sign. (A) If lot frontage is up to thirty lineal feet, a wall sign shall not exceed fifteen percent of the total exposed area of the wall, associated with the business on which the sign is displayed, or twelve square feet, whichever is less. A sign on the face of the building for each business conducted on the premises shall not exceed fifteen percent of the area of the face of the building actually occupied by the business, or twelve square feet, whichever is less. (B) If lot frontage is greater than thirty lineal feet, a wall sign shall not exceed fifteen percent of the total exposed area of the wall, associated with the business for which the sign is displayed, or twenty-two square feet, whichever is less. A sign on the face of the building for each business conducted on the premises shall not exceed fifteen percent of the area of the face of the building actually occupied by the business or twenty-two square feet, whichever is less. (C) In the Kailua Industrial Subdivision, the maximum wall sign area shall not exceed seventy-five square feet or fifteen percent of the wall, whichever is less. (D) The total area of any wall covered by signage shall not exceed fifteen percent of the total area of the wall on which it is located, whether used by single or multiple businesses. (6) Window signs and painted window signs. (A) For any business, the total area allowed to be covered by one or more window signs fronting any street shall be no more than fifteen percent of the total combined area of windows or twenty-two square feet, whichever is less. (b) In any case, the total area allowed shall not exceed twelve square feet for any sign not fronting a public street or vehicular access or for any sign located within the Kailua Village Core. (c) Any lettering or symbol, including free-standing letters, shall not exceed nine inches in height, except as noted in (1) below. (1) In the Kailua Industrial Subdivision, any lettering or symbol, including free- standing letters, shall not exceed eighteen inches in height. (2005, ord 05-62, sec 3.)3-58
Read the official text at hawaiicounty.gov ↗as published Jul 16, 2026our copy taken Aug 21, 2026

Published by the County of Hawaiʻi Office of the County Clerk.

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