Short-term rental rules · Honolulu (Oahu), Hawaii
Short-term rentals in Honolulu (Oahu), explained properly.
Short-term rentals on Oahu are legal only in a handful of narrow categories: resort-zoned properties (Waikiki, Ko Olina, Turtle Bay) that register under Ordinance 22-7 (Bill 41), properties holding a pre-1986 Nonconforming Use Certificate (NUC), grandfathered hotel/timeshare buildings, and specific Bill 41 exemption areas. Outside those categories, the citywide minimum stay is 30 consecutive days, and unregistered properties must display that minimum in their advertising. Combined transient accommodations and excise taxes run to roughly 18-18.5% of gross rental income, and penalties for illegal short-term rentals can reach $10,000 per day for repeated violations under Bill 62.
Draft. These rules were compiled from the official sources listed below but have not yet been checked line by line. Confirm with the city before making decisions.
At a glance
What you need to know before you buy or list
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Four narrow legal categories for STRs | Short-term rentals are lawful on Oahu only as: (1) resort-zoned properties in areas like Waikiki, Ko Olina, and Turtle Bay with no minimum stay once registered; (2) properties holding a Nonconforming Use Certificate (NUC) grandfathered from before October 22, 1986, with new NUC issuance having stopped; (3) grandfathered hotel and timeshare buildings defined under the Land Use Ordinance; and (4) specific exemption precincts carved out under Bill 41[1] |
| 30-day minimum stay outside legal categories | Outside the legal STR categories, the minimum rental period is 30 consecutive days; unregistered properties must display the statement 'this property may not be rented for less than 30 consecutive days' in their advertising[1] |
| 90-day minimum stay attempt blocked in court | Bill 41 (Ordinance 22-7), passed in April 2022, attempted to raise the minimum rental period from 30 to 90 consecutive days in residential neighborhoods, but this was blocked by a federal court; a second attempt in 2025 (referenced as Bill 62) faces similar ongoing legal uncertainty[2]Confirming |
| Roughly 793 Nonconforming Use Certificates exist | Approximately 793 properties hold Nonconforming Use Certificates island-wide; issuance of new NUCs stopped in September 1990, so this is a fixed and shrinking pool of legacy permits[2]Confirming |
| Annual registration renewal required | Resort-zoned STR registration is valid for one year and must be renewed no later than one month prior to expiration; NUC renewals run on a separate annual window from September 1 through October 15[1] |
| Registration/NUC number and TMK must be displayed in ads | Registered STRs and NUC holders must display their registration license or NUC number and the property's tax map key (TMK) in all advertising[1] |
| Registration fees: $1,000 initial, $500 annual renewal | A secondary source reports an initial STR registration fee of $1,000 and a $500 annual renewal fee, plus a separate $300 zoning verification fee noted on the city's own FAQ page; a $1,000,000 commercial general liability insurance policy is also required[2][1]Confirming |
| Combined tax burden: roughly 18-18.5% | Combined taxes on short-term rental income run to roughly 18% to 18.5% of gross rental income, comprising the state Transient Accommodations Tax (11%, increased effective January 1, 2026), a 3% county TAT surcharge, and the state General Excise Tax (4% to 4.5%)[2]Confirming |
| Separate STR property tax classification | Properties designated for short-term rental use are taxed at a distinct property tax rate: $9 per $1,000 of assessed value up to $800,000, and $11.50 per $1,000 of assessed value above $800,000[2]Confirming |
| Fines up to $10,000/day for repeated violations | Under Bill 62 (effective September 2025), initial fines for illegal short-term rental operation can reach $5,000, escalating to as much as $10,000 per day for repeated or continuing violations[2]Confirming |
| Last researched | September 25, 2026 |
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Detailed rules
The full picture, section by section
Eligibility & zoning
| Each eligible unit registered separately | In a resort-zoned building with multiple eligible units, each unit must be registered for short-term rental use separately — registration is not automatically shared across a building or complex[1] |
|---|
Licensing & application
| No deadline for initial registration | There is no cutoff deadline for initial resort-zone STR registration; the registration system became available starting October 24, 2022, and eligible properties may register at any time[1] |
|---|
Taxes & fees
| State Transient Accommodations Tax increased January 2026 | The Hawaii state Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) rate applicable to short-term rentals increased to 11% effective January 1, 2026[2]Confirming |
|---|
Enforcement & complaints
| Complaints filed through DPP's Request for Investigation portal | Complaints about suspected illegal short-term rentals can be filed online through the Department of Planning and Permitting's Request for Investigation portal, or by contacting the STR Enforcement Branch directly[1] |
|---|
Changes
Recent and pending changes
The City and County of Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting's own Short-Term Rental FAQ page is the primary official source to monitor. Oahu's STR law has been especially volatile: Bill 41's attempted 90-day minimum stay was blocked by a federal court in 2022, and a similar attempt (referenced here as Bill 62, effective September 2025) faces continued legal uncertainty as of this research. Given this litigation history, this market should be checked frequently for changes to the minimum stay requirement, the legal status of the NUC and resort-zone registration categories, and any court rulings affecting enforcement.
Sources
Every rule above links to one of these
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This page is general information compiled from official sources, not legal or tax advice. HOA rules, deed restrictions and zoning for a specific property can be stricter. Confirm with the local permitting office and a qualified professional before buying or listing a property.