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Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Kailua-Kona, HI

Last verified: 2026-05-14 · Report an update

Zoning & Conditions

STVRs are defined as dwellings with no more than five bedrooms rented for 30 consecutive days or less. They are permitted in V (Resort), CG (General Commercial), CV (Village Commercial), and certain Residential/Commercial districts within General Plan Resort Nodes. Owners must designate a reachable person residing in Hawaii County available 24/7, adhere to quiet hours (9:00 p.m.–8:00 a.m.), and provide required off-street parking.

How to Obtain a Permit

1) Prepare required documents including the STVR Registration form, notarized Affidavit of Compliance, State tax licenses (GET/TAT), property tax clearance, and evidence of final building/electrical/plumbing approvals. 2) Submit the application and pay the $500 one-time registration fee via the Planning Department’s EPIC online submittal system. 3) If the property is outside permitted zones, apply for a Nonconforming Use Certificate (NUC) and renew it annually for a $250 fee.

Regulatory Updates — Kailua-Kona

Proposed and recent legislation

PassedNovember 2023

Hawaii County STR Permit Restrictions in Residential Zones

Hawaii County enacted ordinances restricting new short-term vacation rental permits in residential zoning districts on the island of Hawaii. New permits are available primarily in resort and commercial zones. Existing permitted properties continue to operate, but non-transferable permit policies apply in some zones.

PassedDecember 2021

Hawaii State GET and TAT Compliance

Hawaii vacation rental operators must collect and remit Hawaii state general excise tax (GET) and the transient accommodations tax (TAT). Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit these taxes on behalf of hosts for most bookings. The TAT rate was increased to 10.25% in 2021.

Official source
ProposedFebruary 2025

Hawaii Legislature Considers Additional STR Restrictions

Hawaii state lawmakers have introduced bills that would impose statewide caps on STR density and require a state-level registry for all vacation rentals, building on county-level restrictions already in place across Maui, Oahu, and Hawaii counties.

Official Resources

Official Kailua-Kona STR regulation source

Local Resources & Advocacy

Hawaii Short-Term Rental AllianceStatewide

Advocacy group representing Hawaii vacation rental operators and property managers in county and state regulatory proceedings. Monitors Hawaii County ordinance changes.

Kona-Kohala Chamber of CommerceLocal

Represents business interests on the Big Island's western coast including vacation rental operators. Tracks Hawaii County STR regulatory developments.

Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA)National

National trade association providing regulatory monitoring and compliance resources for vacation rental managers navigating Hawaii's increasingly restrictive STR landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Airbnbs legal in Kailua-Kona, HI?
Airbnb listings are allowed in Kailua-Kona, HI, but with restrictions. STVRs are defined as dwellings with no more than five bedrooms rented for 30 consecutive days or less. They are permitted in V (Resort), CG (General Commercial), CV (Village Commercial), and certain Residential/Commercial districts within General Plan Resort Nodes. Owners must designate a reachable person residing in Hawaii County available 24/7, adhere to quiet hours (9:00 p.m.–8:00 a.m.), and provide required off-street parking. 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.
Are short-term rentals allowed in Kailua-Kona, HI?
STVRs are defined as dwellings with no more than five bedrooms rented for 30 consecutive days or less. They are permitted in V (Resort), CG (General Commercial), CV (Village Commercial), and certain Residential/Commercial districts within General Plan Resort Nodes. Owners must designate a reachable person residing in Hawaii County available 24/7, adhere to quiet hours (9:00 p.m.–8:00 a.m.), and provide required off-street parking.
Is a permit required to operate a short-term rental in Kailua-Kona?
Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Kailua-Kona. 1) Prepare required documents including the STVR Registration form, notarized Affidavit of Compliance, State tax licenses (GET/TAT), property tax clearance, and evidence of final building/electrical/plumbing approvals. 2) Submit the application and pay the $500 one-time registration fee via the Planning Department’s EPIC online submittal system. 3) If the property is outside permitted zones, apply for a Nonconforming Use Certificate (NUC) and renew it annually for a $250 fee.
How do I get a short-term rental permit in Kailua-Kona?
1) Prepare required documents including the STVR Registration form, notarized Affidavit of Compliance, State tax licenses (GET/TAT), property tax clearance, and evidence of final building/electrical/plumbing approvals. 2) Submit the application and pay the $500 one-time registration fee via the Planning Department’s EPIC online submittal system. 3) If the property is outside permitted zones, apply for a Nonconforming Use Certificate (NUC) and renew it annually for a $250 fee.
Is Vrbo legal in Kailua-Kona, HI?
Vrbo is permitted in Kailua-Kona, 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.
What taxes do short-term rental hosts pay in Kailua-Kona?
Short-term rental hosts in Kailua-Kona 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.
What is the latest short-term rental ordinance change in Kailua-Kona?
The most recent tracked change in Kailua-Kona is "Hawaii County STR Permit Restrictions in Residential Zones" (2023-11-01, status: passed). Hawaii County enacted ordinances restricting new short-term vacation rental permits in residential zoning districts on the island of Hawaii. New permits are available primarily in resort and commercial zones. Existing permitted properties continue to operate, but non-transferable permit policies apply in some zones. See the regulatory updates section on this page for the full history.
Can I get a new STR permit in Kailua-Kona for a residential property?
New STR permits in residential zoning districts in Hawaii County are restricted or prohibited. New permits are primarily available for properties in resort and commercial zones. Buyers of residential properties in Kona should not assume STR permits are available — verify with Hawaii County's Planning Department whether a specific property's zone and permit status allow vacation rental use before purchasing.
What taxes must Kailua-Kona vacation rental operators collect?
Hawaii vacation rental operators must collect and remit Hawaii state general excise tax (GET, 4.5% including surcharge for Hawaii County), Hawaii transient accommodations tax (TAT, 10.25%), and the Kailua-Kona area's county surcharge. The combined effective tax rate on rental income is approximately 15–18%. Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit Hawaii GET and TAT on behalf of hosts. Operators must still register with the Hawaii Department of Taxation for a Hawaii Tax ID.
How does Kailua-Kona compare to Maui for STR restrictions?
Both Maui County and Hawaii County (Big Island) have moved to restrict new STR permits in residential zones, driven by the same statewide housing crisis and political pressure. Maui's restrictions (enacted 2023) were among the nation's most aggressive, with very high fines for violations. Hawaii County's restrictions are significant but somewhat less extreme than Maui's at this time. Both are stricter than most mainland markets. The statewide political trajectory suggests continued tightening on both islands.
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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: 2026-05-14 · Suggest a correction