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Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Honolulu, HI

Last verified: March 2026 · Report an update

Zoning & Conditions

Short-term rentals (STRs) are restricted to Resort Districts and specific mapped apartment-zoned areas. All units must be registered with the Department of Planning and Permitting, and existing nonconforming units must maintain a valid Nonconforming Use Certificate (NUC).

How to Obtain a Permit

1. Submit an initial application form to the DPP including a title report, GET/TAT licenses, insurance coverage, and a 'Statement of Compliance'. 2. Provide an informational binder and evidence of association approval if applicable. 3. Renew the registration certificate annually between three months and one month prior to expiration.

Regulatory Updates — Honolulu

Proposed and recent legislation

PassedOctober 2023

Oahu Residential Zone STR Ban — Effective October 2023

Honolulu City Council Ordinance 22-7 took effect October 23, 2023, banning new short-term rentals in all R-zoned (residential) properties on Oahu. Properties that did not hold a valid STR permit before the ordinance took effect cannot operate as STRs. The ordinance was designed to address Oahu's acute housing affordability crisis, which activists linked to the conversion of residential units to vacation rentals.

Official source
PassedOctober 2023

$10,000 Per Day Fine Schedule

Violations of Honolulu's STR ordinance carry fines of up to $10,000 per day per violation — among the highest in the country. The Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) actively investigates complaints and cross-references platforms to identify unlicensed listings. Multiple violations can result in criminal referrals in addition to civil penalties.

Under ReviewMarch 2025

Hawaii State STR Legislation — Under Discussion

Hawaii's state legislature has considered bills that would impose additional statewide restrictions on STRs, including requirements that all STRs be owner-occupied and that hosts obtain a state-level permit. While no comprehensive statewide bill has passed as of 2025, the political momentum in Honolulu mirrors state-level sentiment. Operators should monitor the Hawaii state legislature during each session.

Official Resources

Official Honolulu STR regulation source

Local Resources & Advocacy

Hawaii Legal Short-Term Rental AllianceLocal

Oahu-based advocacy organization representing legal STR permit holders and challenging aspects of the residential zone ban through legal proceedings.

Aloha STR CoalitionStatewide

Statewide Hawaii coalition of vacation rental owners and managers advocating for reasonable STR regulations that balance housing concerns with the tourism economy.

Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA)National

National trade association tracking Hawaii's STR regulations as a leading example of restrictive STR policy, with resources for affected operators.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are short-term rentals allowed in Honolulu, HI?
Short-term rentals (STRs) are restricted to Resort Districts and specific mapped apartment-zoned areas. All units must be registered with the Department of Planning and Permitting, and existing nonconforming units must maintain a valid Nonconforming Use Certificate (NUC).
Is a permit required to operate a short-term rental in Honolulu?
Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Honolulu. 1. Submit an initial application form to the DPP including a title report, GET/TAT licenses, insurance coverage, and a 'Statement of Compliance'. 2. Provide an informational binder and evidence of association approval if applicable. 3. Renew the registration certificate annually between three months and one month prior to expiration.
How do I get a short-term rental permit in Honolulu?
1. Submit an initial application form to the DPP including a title report, GET/TAT licenses, insurance coverage, and a 'Statement of Compliance'. 2. Provide an informational binder and evidence of association approval if applicable. 3. Renew the registration certificate annually between three months and one month prior to expiration.
Can I legally rent my Oahu home on Airbnb?
Only in very limited circumstances. If your property is zoned apartment (A-zoned) and you have a valid STR permit, you can continue operating. If your property is in a residential (R-zoned) area and did not hold a valid permit before October 23, 2023, you cannot legally operate a short-term rental. Operating illegally in a restricted zone exposes you to fines of up to $10,000 per day. Always verify your property's zoning with the Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) before listing.
What zones on Oahu still allow short-term rentals?
Short-term rentals are generally permitted in apartment-zoned (A-zoned) properties on Oahu, and in properties holding a valid nonconforming use certificate (NUC) from before the residential zone ban. Resort and hotel zones (resort-mixed use) also permit STR activity. Residential (R-zoned) areas — which cover most of Oahu's housing stock — are off-limits to new STRs. Certain properties in rural and agricultural zones have additional complexities; consult the DPP for your specific parcel.
What is the difference between an STR permit and a B&B permit in Honolulu?
Honolulu distinguishes between bed-and-breakfast (B&B) homes — where the owner lives on-site and rents rooms while present — and unhosted vacation rentals (the traditional Airbnb model). B&B permits have historically been available in more zones and require owner-occupancy. The 2023 ordinance primarily targeted unhosted vacation rentals in residential zones; B&B operations with valid permits have somewhat greater protection. However, very few B&B permits are issued each year and existing permits rarely become available.
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Disclaimer

This information is for general reference only and may not reflect the most current regulations. STR regulations change frequently. Always verify requirements with official local government sources before operating a short-term rental.

Last verified: March 2026 · Suggest a correction