To help HBR members and owners of rental properties, here is how the City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP), defines short-term rentals (STRs).
STRs are also known as vacation rentals and are lodgings that provide guest accommodation for less than 30 consecutive days.
In order to preserve housing for long-term residents, STRs are only permitted in resort-zoned areas and a couple of specific apartment-zoned areas.
There are two types 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.
"Grandfathered" STRs that have been in operation since prior to October 22, 1986, and were issued a nonconforming use certificate (NUC), must renew their NUC every year to continue operating. New NUCs are not being issued.
How are STRs regulated? STR regulations are imposed by the Land Use Ordinance, as amended by Ordinance 22-7, which includes maps of the apartment-zoned areas where STRs are permitted. Anyone selling real property must provide the buyer with a short-term rental disclosure form stating whether the property may be legally used for STRs. The STR must be registered to be in compliance with law.
Questions: Email [email protected] or call the short-term vacation rental (STVR) line at (808) 768-STVR (7887).
Source: Short-Term Rentals. (2023, December 22). City and County of Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting website, accessed 7 February 2024. https://www.honolulu.gov/dpp/permitting/short-term-rentals.html
