Hawaii Privacy, Guests & Animal Rules
Hawaii rules on privacy, guests & animals for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: No landlord-specific statute. It is a crime to install or use, in any private place and without consent of those entitled to privacy there, a device to observe, record, amplify, or broadcast sounds or events (violation of privacy in the second degree), or to capture a person in a stage… HRS §§ 711-1111(1)(a), (d), (e); 711-1110.9; 521-53
The rules in Hawaii
| Cameras & privacy | No landlord-specific statute. It is a crime to install or use, in any private place and without consent of those entitled to privacy there, a device to observe, record, amplify, or broadcast sounds or events (violation of privacy in the second degree), or to capture a person in a stage of undress or sexual activity (first degree, a class C felony). It is also an offense to trespass for surveillance or to use an outside device to pick up sounds from a private place not ordinarily audible outside. Landlord entry generally requires at least two days' notice, during reasonable hours, and may not be used to harass. A rented home is a private place for its occupants; landlord cameras or audio devices inside a tenant's unit without consent are likely unlawful. Exterior or common-area cameras are not specifically regulated. |
|---|---|
| Guests & occupants | No statute — the lease governs guests, occupancy limits, and roommates. The Code defines a dwelling unit as used by one person or by persons maintaining a common household, and the tenant may be bound by reasonable written rules the landlord can show are needed to protect the property and people. Tenants are responsible for damage by people on the premises with their permission (§ 521-51(6)). Occupancy limits come from county codes and federal fair-housing standards. Source: HRS §§ 521-8; 521-51(6), (8) |
| Service & support animals (state law) | Refusing a reasonable accommodation needed by a person with a disability is a discriminatory practice; for an assistance animal (including service, therapy, comfort, or emotional support animals, trained or untrained, any species), reasonable restrictions may be imposed. If the disability or need is not readily apparent, the owner may request verification (e.g., a letter from the treating health care professional, mental health professional, or social worker), but may not request medical records or ask about diagnosis, nature, or severity. Online vests, tags, or registrations are not valid verification. No pet deposit may be charged for an assistance animal that is a reasonable accommodation. Knowingly misrepresenting an animal as a service animal carries a civil fine of $100–$250 (first violation) and at least $500 for later violations. Section 515-3 was last amended in 2022 (Act 154). The misrepresentation penalty (§ 347-2.6, 2018) applies to service animals, not ESAs: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/hrscurrent/Vol07_Ch0346-0398/HRS0347/HRS_0347-0002_0006.htm |
Related questions
- Can a landlord put cameras in or around a rental?
- Can a landlord limit overnight guests or roommates?
- Can a landlord deny a service or emotional support animal?
Hawaii vs. neighboring states
| State | Cameras & privacy | Guests & occupants | Service & support animals (state law) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | No landlord-specific statute. It is a crime to install or use, in any private place and without consent of those entitled to privacy there, a device to observe, record, amplify, or broadcast sounds or events (violation of privacy in the second degree), or to capture a person in a stage of undress or sexual activity (first degree, a class C felony). It is also an offense to trespass for surveillance or to use an outside device to pick up sounds from a private place not ordinarily audible outside. Landlord entry generally requires at least two days' notice, during reasonable hours, and may not be used to harass. HRS §§ 711-1111(1)(a), (d), (e); 711-1110.9; 521-53 | No statute — the lease governs guests, occupancy limits, and roommates. The Code defines a dwelling unit as used by one person or by persons maintaining a common household, and the tenant may be bound by reasonable written rules the landlord can show are needed to protect the property and people. HRS §§ 521-8; 521-51(6), (8) | Refusing a reasonable accommodation needed by a person with a disability is a discriminatory practice; for an assistance animal (including service, therapy, comfort, or emotional support animals, trained or untrained, any species), reasonable restrictions may be imposed. If the disability or need is not readily apparent, the owner may request verification (e.g., a letter from the treating health care professional, mental health professional, or social worker), but may not request medical records or ask about diagnosis, nature, or severity. Online vests, tags, or registrations are not valid verification. No pet deposit may be charged for an assistance animal that is a reasonable accommodation. Knowingly misrepresenting an animal as a service animal carries a civil fine of $100–$250 (first violation) and at least $500 for later violations. HRS §§ 515-3(a)(9), (b); 521-44(b)(1)(B); 347-2.6 |
| California | No landlord-specific camera statute. It is a crime to view or record, by camera, phone or other device, the interior of a bedroom, bathroom or other area where the occupant has a reasonable expectation of privacy with intent to invade privacy. Recording a confidential conversation requires the consent of all parties. A landlord may enter only for listed reasons and, except in emergencies, generally with 24 hours' written notice. Cal. Penal Code §§ 647(j)(1), 632(a); Cal. Civ. Code § 1954 | No statute — lease governs. California has no statewide guest-versus-tenant rule or roommate statute for private rentals. The tenant is responsible for damage caused by the tenant's guests or licensees. Cal. Civ. Code § 1950.5(b)(2) | A landlord may not refuse to rent to, or refuse to let keep, a person with a disability who uses a guide, signal or service dog; lease terms may reasonably regulate the dog, and the tenant remains liable for proven damage. For emotional support dogs, a health care practitioner may provide documentation only if licensed, in a client-provider relationship for at least 30 days (waived for verified homeless individuals), after a clinical evaluation, and after warning about the penalty for fraud. Knowingly and fraudulently representing an emotional support dog as a service dog carries civil penalties of $500, $1,000 and $2,500 for first, second and later violations. These rules do not reduce reasonable-accommodation rights under state and federal fair housing law. Cal. Civ. Code § 54.1(b)(6); Health & Safety Code §§ 122317, 122318, 122319, 122319.5 |
City rules that may add to state law
More Hawaii rental law
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Compare privacy, guests & animals in all 50 states and DC →
Hawaii Privacy, Guests & Animal Rules FAQ
Can a landlord put cameras in or around a rental in Hawaii?
No landlord-specific statute. It is a crime to install or use, in any private place and without consent of those entitled to privacy there, a device to observe, record, amplify, or broadcast sounds or events (violation of privacy in the second degree), or to capture a person in a stage of undress or sexual activity (first degree, a class C felony). It is also an offense to trespass for surveillance or to use an outside device to pick up sounds from a private place not ordinarily audible outside. Landlord entry generally requires at least two days' notice, during reasonable hours, and may not be used to harass. (HRS §§ 711-1111(1)(a), (d), (e); 711-1110.9; 521-53)
Can a landlord limit guests or roommates in Hawaii?
No statute — the lease governs guests, occupancy limits, and roommates. The Code defines a dwelling unit as used by one person or by persons maintaining a common household, and the tenant may be bound by reasonable written rules the landlord can show are needed to protect the property and people. (HRS §§ 521-8; 521-51(6), (8))
Can a landlord deny a service or emotional support animal in Hawaii?
Refusing a reasonable accommodation needed by a person with a disability is a discriminatory practice; for an assistance animal (including service, therapy, comfort, or emotional support animals, trained or untrained, any species), reasonable restrictions may be imposed. If the disability or need is not readily apparent, the owner may request verification (e.g., a letter from the treating health care professional, mental health professional, or social worker), but may not request medical records or ask about diagnosis, nature, or severity. Online vests, tags, or registrations are not valid verification. No pet deposit may be charged for an assistance animal that is a reasonable accommodation. Knowingly misrepresenting an animal as a service animal carries a civil fine of $100–$250 (first violation) and at least $500 for later violations. (HRS §§ 515-3(a)(9), (b); 521-44(b)(1)(B); 347-2.6)
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.