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Hawaii County

Hawaii · United States
Pending
Last updated: 2026-07-09  ·  Last verified: 2026-07-15  ·  Region: US

At a Glance — Hawaii County Airbnb & STR Rules

RuleDetails
Regulatory StatusProposed / pending
Permit / License RequiredUnder existing Ordinance 25-50: all TVR operators (hosted and unhosted) must register with the county; registration fees $250 (hosted) / $500 (unhoste
Night / Day CapBill 147 would extend the definition of 'short-term' to stays under 180 consecutive days (vs. current 30 days for unhosted rentals)
PenaltiesOrdinance 25-50: fines $1,000–$10,000 per violation for operating without registration; Bill 147 would add additional punitive fines (quantum not yet
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Hawaii County Airbnb & Vacation Rental Regulation Overview

Hawaii County Short-Term Rental Regulations Overview

Short-term rental regulations in Hawaii County, Hawaii are currently under development or pending approval as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Under existing Ordinance 25-50: all TVR operators (hosted and unhosted) must register with the county; registration fees $250 (hosted) / $500 (unhosted). Bill 147 would add operational standards, occu.

Hosting Rules and Restrictions in Hawaii County

Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Hawaii County include: Rental day cap: Bill 147 would extend the definition of 'short-term' to stays under 180 consecutive days (vs. current 30 days for unhost.

Penalties for Non-Compliance in Hawaii County

Hosts who fail to comply with Hawaii County's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Ordinance 25-50: fines $1,000–$10,000 per violation for operating without registration; Bill 147 would add additional punitive fines (quantum not yet finalized).

Full Regulatory Details

Regulatory Status
Pending
License / Registration
Under existing Ordinance 25-50: all TVR operators (hosted and unhosted) must register with the county; registration fees $250 (hosted) / $500 (unhosted). Bill 147 would add operational standards, occupancy limits, enforcement fines, and redefine 'short-term' as stays under 180 days.
Night / Day Cap
Bill 147 would extend the definition of 'short-term' to stays under 180 consecutive days (vs. current 30 days for unhosted rentals)
Compliance Notes
Hawaii County's Leeward Planning Commission held a four-hour special hearing on Bill 147 on June 30, 2026, and deferred its vote after significant opposition from farmstay operators. The bill would overhaul the existing regulatory framework: redefining B&Bs (hosted) vs. STVRs (unhosted), setting occupancy limits, restricting large events, requiring special use permits for agricultural-zoned rentals, and establishing punitive fines. The commission reconvenes July 16; both commissions must send recommendations to the County Council by August 8, 2026. Separately, mandatory TVR registration under Ordinance 25-50 technically took effect July 1, but the county has not launched the registration portal; Council Member Kimball plans to introduce a grace period bill (Sept 1–Dec 31) on July 22.
Effective Date
Bill 147: Pending (planning commission stage); Ordinance 25-50 registration: technically effective July 1, 2026 but portal not live
Key Notes
• Ordinance 25-50 (Bill 47) registration is technically required from July 1, 2026, but the portal is not yet live — hosts cannot yet register, though fines of $1,000–$10,000 are written into law. • Platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo) must pay a $1,000 registration fee and file monthly listing reports once operational. • Bill 147 would extend 'short-term' to stays <180 days, add B&B/STVR distinction, set occupancy/quiet-hour rules, and restrict event types. • A grace period extension to September 1–December 31 is being drafted for introduction July 22.
Penalties
Ordinance 25-50: fines $1,000–$10,000 per violation for operating without registration; Bill 147 would add additional punitive fines (quantum not yet finalized)
Additional Context
Both Windward and Leeward Planning Commission hearings on Bill 147 must be completed with recommendations forwarded to the County Council by August 8, 2026. The county economic impact study found 8,000+ active STR listings generating ~$710M in lodging revenue in 2024, with $12M in uncollected TAT and $1.6M in uncollected GET.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Airbnb legal in Hawaii County?

Short-term rental regulations in Hawaii County are currently under development. Rules may change as legislation is finalized. Hawaii County's Leeward Planning Commission held a four-hour special hearing on Bill 147 on June 30, 2026, and deferred its vote after significant opposition from farmstay operators. The bill would ov

Do you need a permit for Airbnb in Hawaii County?

Yes. Hawaii County requires the following for short-term rental operation: Under existing Ordinance 25-50: all TVR operators (hosted and unhosted) must register with the county; registration fees $250 (hosted) / $500 (unhosted). Bill 147 would add operational standards, occupancy limits, enforcement fines, and redefine 'short-term' as stays under 180 days..

What are the penalties for illegal Airbnb hosting in Hawaii County?

Hosts who operate without proper permits in Hawaii County may face enforcement. Ordinance 25-50: fines $1,000–$10,000 per violation for operating without registration; Bill 147 would add additional punitive fines (quantum not yet finalized).

What are the key STR compliance requirements in Hawaii County?

• Ordinance 25-50 (Bill 47) registration is technically required from July 1, 2026, but the portal is not yet live — hosts cannot yet register, though fines of $1,000–$10,000 are written into law. • Platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo) must pay a $1,000 registration fee and file monthly listing reports once operational. • Bill 147 would extend 'short-term' to stays <180 days, add B&B/STVR distinction, set occ

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