Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Pahoa, HI

Airbnb listings are allowed in Pahoa, HI, but with restrictions. STVRs are defined as dwellings rented for 30 days or less with no more than five bedrooms. The owner or a designated 'reachable person' must reside in Hawaii County and be available 24/7 to respond to issues within one hour by phone. Properties must have final building, electrical, and plumbing approvals, provide required off-street parking, and adhere to quiet hours (9:00 PM to 8:00 AM). Registration or NUC numbers must be displayed in all advertisements and on the premises. 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.

STVRs are defined as dwellings rented for 30 days or less with no more than five bedrooms. The owner or a designated 'reachable person' must reside in Hawaii County and be available 24/7 to respond to issues within one hour by phone. Properties must have final building, electrical, and plumbing approvals, provide required off-street parking, and adhere to quiet hours (9:00 PM to 8:00 AM). Registration or NUC numbers must be displayed in all advertisements and on the premises.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Pahoa. 1) Gather required documents including the STVR Registration Form, proof of State GE and TAT licenses, County property tax clearance, and final building/electrical/plumbing approvals. 2) Submit the application and a $500 non-refundable fee through the Planning Department's EPIC online submittal system. 3) For rentals in non-permitted zones, apply for a Nonconforming Use Certificate (NUC), which must be renewed annually for a $250 fee.

1) Gather required documents including the STVR Registration Form, proof of State GE and TAT licenses, County property tax clearance, and final building/electrical/plumbing approvals. 2) Submit the application and a $500 non-refundable fee through the Planning Department's EPIC online submittal system. 3) For rentals in non-permitted zones, apply for a Nonconforming Use Certificate (NUC), which must be renewed annually for a $250 fee.

Vrbo is permitted in Pahoa, 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 Pahoa 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 Pahoa. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.