Residential Restricted parking Zone (RPZ)
A Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ) manages the use of public street parking in residential areas through residential permits and signage. RPZs are used in areas where there is an identifiable traffic generator such as a college or hospital. This generator can cause persons who do not reside in a particular residential area to park on a public street in that residential area. This can make parking difficult for residents and can negatively impact a resident’s quality of life.
A RPZ can increase access for area residents, reduce traffic congestion, increase traffic or pedestrian safety, reduce air or noise pollution, reduce commuter parking in neighborhoods, prevent blighted areas, and promote the use of alternative modes of transportation. Adverse impacts of a RPZ can include transferring a parking problem to a different area, an inability to effectively enforce program restrictions, lack of alternative transportation modes, reduction in public access to publicly accessible areas or health care services, and availability of simpler, cheaper, or more effective solutions.
Honolulu's First RPZ: KAlihi Valley (Zone 16)
In August 2016, Resolution 16-196 was adopted by the Honolulu City Council requesting that the Department of Transportation Services (DTS) look into the best parking practices of on-street parking in high demand areas. A few months later, a Wilson Tract was established in the Kalihi Valley to educate residents on Restricted Parking Zones (RPZs). Area legislators surveyed Wilson Tract residents to solicit feedback for the RPZ, receiving many complaints. Residents said their streets and sidewalks were filled with trash, there were frequent encounters with people sleeping in their car, and there was loitering and nighttime disturbances. In addition, parking was hard to find and there were abandoned vehicles on their streets.
A RPZ pilot was launched for the Wilson Tract neighborhood, the Kula Kolea neighborhood, and the ʻAoʻao/Kono Street neighborhood on April 1, 2017. Signs were installed and permits were distributed to about 80 percent of the households. It was determined in a meeting that the RPZ hours would be from 6pm to 6am, with a one hour grace period for non-permit holders. Each household was allowed up to two residential parking permits and two visitor parking permits. The Honolulu Police Department (HPD) enforced and issued around 20 citations ($35/each) during the pilot.
In 2019, Ordinance 19-1 passed, setting up the framework for establishing RPZs in Honolulu. In May 2023, the signs in the Kalihi Valley were replaced to indicate no parking was allowed at any time for non-permitted vehicles.
In October 2023, Zone 16 was further expanded into the Kalihi Valley as part of Bill 20 (2023). This included the addition of Piliwai and Nalanieha streets. The full list of streets established in the Kalihi Valley RPZ, included as part of Bill 20, can be found in Schedule XXXIX. The Kalihi Valley RPZ boundary can be seen in the map below.
Honolulu RPZ requirements + Enforcement
The City Council passed Bill 20 (2023) in October 2023, establishing Restricted Parking Zones (RPZs) as a parking management strategy in Honolulu. Neighborhoods must have certain attributes to be considered for a RPZ designation. The neighborhood requirements, contained in Bill 20, include:
- Not within a one-half mile distance landward of shoreline
- High occupancy of on-street parking
- Little to no off-street parking available
- High number of parked vehicles not registered to residents
- There is an identifiable traffic generator
- Majority of residents in the affected area support the initiative
- Public interest will be served
Once a RPZ is operating in a neighborhood, the Honolulu Police Department (HPD) enforces the RPZ regulations and issues citations for those vehicles parked on the street without a RPZ permit.
RPZ Permits + Pricing
Once a Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ) has been established, residents can apply for annual residential or visitor permits. There are certain rules residents must follow in order to participate in the RPZ program. These rules include:
- Non-existing permit holders must fill out a new permit application.
- Existing permit holders must fill out a RPZ application each year.
- Existing permit holders must fill out a RPZ Application for modifications to the RPZ Permits issued.
- Existing permit holders that are moving or terminating their RPZ Permits must contact DTS at 768-8358 and return the issued RPZ permit.
- Transfers and trades of the RPZ Permit are strictly prohibited.
Permit Pricing
Below is a table outlining the costs for residential and visitor permits when the RPZ Program officially launches in the summer of 2024. Permit costs are established in the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu. The first permit for each dwelling unit will be provided at a base cost, with additional permits involving increased rates.
Type of Permit | Vehicle (per dwelling unit) | Fee |
Annual residential permit or annual visitor permit | 1st vehicle | $125 (base rate) |
| 2nd vehicle | $250 |
| 3rd vehicle | $375 |
| 4th vehicle | $500 |
Single day visitor permit | Not applicable | $10 |
Nonresident single-day permit | Not applicable | $10 |
Kalihi Valley (Zone 16) Residents
If you are interested in applying for a residential or visitor permit, you must fill out an application. Once the RPZ program has officially launched in 2024, you will have the option to pay online for a residential and/or visitor permit.
New RPZ Requests
Residents who are interested in having their neighborhood considered as a Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ) can email RPZ@honolulu.gov to be added to the list of neighborhoods that will receive an evaluation. As noted earlier, neighborhoods being considered must include the requirements established by City Council in Bill 20 (2023).
RPZ CONTACT
Transportation Performance and Development Division
Department of Transportation Services
City and County of Honolulu
Email: RPZ@honolulu.gov
Phone: 808-768-8358