Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Koloa, HI

Airbnb listings are allowed in Koloa, HI, but with restrictions. Single-family transient vacation rentals are prohibited outside Visitor Destination Areas (VDAs) unless a Nonconforming Use Certificate (NCUC) was established prior to March 7, 2008. Rentals within VDAs must register with the Director of Finance. All units are subject to physical inspections and must meet specific safety and neighbor-comfort requirements. 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.

Single-family transient vacation rentals are prohibited outside Visitor Destination Areas (VDAs) unless a Nonconforming Use Certificate (NCUC) was established prior to March 7, 2008. Rentals within VDAs must register with the Director of Finance. All units are subject to physical inspections and must meet specific safety and neighbor-comfort requirements.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Koloa. 1. Register with the Director of Finance (for VDA properties) or apply for a Nonconforming Use Certificate (NCUC) with the Planning Department. 2. Pass a mandatory physical inspection of the rental unit. 3. Submit annual renewals with a $150 fee via certified mail at least two months prior to expiration.

1. Register with the Director of Finance (for VDA properties) or apply for a Nonconforming Use Certificate (NCUC) with the Planning Department. 2. Pass a mandatory physical inspection of the rental unit. 3. Submit annual renewals with a $150 fee via certified mail at least two months prior to expiration.

Vrbo is permitted in Koloa, 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 Koloa 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.

The most recent tracked change in Koloa is "Kauai County TVR Permit Moratorium Maintained" (2024-07-01, status: passed). Kauai County maintained its moratorium on new Transient Vacation Rental permits in residential zones, with only resort-zoned properties eligible for new TVR permits. See the regulatory updates section on this page for the full history.

Only if your property is in a resort or hotel zone with an active Transient Vacation Rental (TVR) permit. Kauai County has halted new TVR permits in residential zones. Verify your property's zoning with Kauai County Planning.

A Transient Vacation Rental permit authorizes non-hosted short-term rental of a property for less than 30 days. Kauai County only issues TVR permits in designated vacation destination districts; residential-zoned properties are not eligible for new permits.

Kauai County has a separate hosted home share program allowing owner-occupied rentals in some residential zones. Requirements include being the property's primary resident and registering with the county. Rules differ from TVR permits.