Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Honolulu County, HI

Airbnb listings are allowed in Honolulu County, HI, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals (STRs) are restricted to resort-zoned areas and specific apartment-zoned areas for stays under 30 days. Bed & Breakfasts (B&Bs) require a resident to be present and are limited to two rooms with two adults each, while Transient Vacation Units (TVUs) are unhosted whole-home rentals limited to two adults per room. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are restricted to resort-zoned areas and specific apartment-zoned areas for stays under 30 days. Bed & Breakfasts (B&Bs) require a resident to be present and are limited to two rooms with two adults each, while Transient Vacation Units (TVUs) are unhosted whole-home rentals limited to two adults per room.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Honolulu County. 1. Verify property eligibility using the official STR Eligibility/Compliance map. 2. Submit a Statement of Compliance and required registration forms through the DPP portal. 3. Ensure the unit meets zoning and safety standards and display the registration/NUC number in all advertisements.

1. Verify property eligibility using the official STR Eligibility/Compliance map. 2. Submit a Statement of Compliance and required registration forms through the DPP portal. 3. Ensure the unit meets zoning and safety standards and display the registration/NUC number in all advertisements.

Vrbo is permitted in Honolulu County, HI under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Honolulu County are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Honolulu County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.