Honolulu, Hawaii Short Term Rental Regulations

City Code of Ordinances

Short-term rentals (STRs) have been regulated in Honolulu. Ordinance 22-7 (Bill 41) limits rental bookings lasting fewer than 90 days to designated areas and is intended to help return housing inventory to long-term rental and for-sale marketplaces.  There are two kinds of STRs:

• Bed and breakfast homes (B&Bs) - The homeowner or permanent resident is present during the transient stay. Up to two rooms may be rented, with a maximum of two adult transient occupants per room.    
• Transient vacation units (TVUs) - Commonly known as whole home or unhosted rentals. A maximum of two adult transient occupants are allowed per room.  

No more than two adults may sleep in each allowable room in which sleeping accommodations are provided. The total number of adult overnight transient occupants may not exceed two times the number of rooms provided to transient occupants for sleeping accommodations.  Insurance coverage is required. The owner or operator must maintain a minimum of $1.000.000 per occurrence in commercial general liability insurance at all times. The following links lead to maps depicting the specific zoned areas as designated by Ordinance 19-18 that permit Short-Term Rentals.  This only includes land under City and County Jurisdiction. 

• Kahala       
• Waikiki       
• Ko Olina     
• Lāʻie       
• ʻEwa       
• Mākaha       
• Kuilima

Ordinance 22-7 (Bill 41) goes into effect on October 23, 2022. See the Honolulu City and County Short-Term Rentals page for more information. 

Business License Requirements

The City and County of Honolulu have adopted new short-term rentals (STR) regulations.  Ordinance 22-7 goes into effect on October 23, 2022.  Registration for New Short-Term Rentals has been temporarily suspended until further notice.  Bill 41 (21) CD2, or Ordinance 22-7, will go into effect on October 23, 2022, when registration is expected to begin.

Building and Housing Standards

The City and County of Honolulu have rules and regulations that specify minimum building, design, maintenance standards, habitability, health, and safety requirements. Some rules and regulations that apply to residential and non-residential properties may apply to your listing. Visit the City and County of Honolulu for more information.  

Tourist and Local Taxes

A valid, current State of Hawaii general excise tax license and transient accommodations tax license, and city transient accommodations tax license for the subject property. 

Other Rules

The property on which a bed and breakfast home or transient vacation unit is located may not be used for gatherings of ten or more individuals who are not registered as overnight transient occupants at the bed and breakfast home ortransient vacation unit.  The owner or operator shall create a binder that must be placed and maintained in a conspicuous location within the bed and breakfast home or transient vacation unit at all times. The binder must provide guidance to transient occupants on being respectful of neighbors and responding toemergencies.
 Transient occupants must park on-site and not on public streets near the STR. A seller of residential real property must provide the buyer a Short-term rental (STR) disclosure form stating whether or not the property may be legally used as an STR.  It is also essential to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo boards, co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable. Visit the City and County of Honolulu for more information.