Honolulu Short-Term Rental Regulations

Last verified: 2026-03-26
TL;DR
Honolulu requires an STR permit — 2 types available (fees from $1,000) — see below for eligibility by type. Combined tax rate is 17.75%. No annual day limit, but each stay must be 29 nights or fewer per stay.
Disclaimer
This information is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or regulatory advice. Short-term rental regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your local government before listing your property or making investment decisions.
Key Requirements at a Glance
Permit ✓ Required — Bed and Breakfast Home (B&B) Registration ($1,000) — See below for other permit types
Primary Residence Varies by permit type
Annual Day Limit No limit — 29 nights or fewer per stay
Tax Rate 17.75%
Max Penalty $1,000 per violation
Insurance Not required

New to short-term rentals? Jump to the compliance checklist →

Permit & Licensing

Which permit type applies to you?

Bed and Breakfast Home (B&B) Registration

FeeAmount
Initial cost$1,000
Renewal$500 / 1 year

The property must be your primary residence. This means investment properties are not eligible for this permit type.

Transient Vacation Unit (TVU) Registration

FeeAmount
Initial cost$1,000
Renewal$500 / 1 year

This permit type does not require primary residence. Zoning restriction: Resort-zoned areas and specific apartment-zoned areas only.

Application Process

Online via HNL Build portal; submit Statement of Compliance and required documents; license issued upon approval

Note: Document requirements vary by permit type. See individual permit sections above for eligibility details.

Tax Obligations

TaxRateAuthority
Honolulu County Transient Accommodations Tax (OTAT) 3% City of Honolulu
Hawaii State Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) 10.25% Hawaii State
Hawaii General Excise Tax (GET) 4.5% Hawaii State

Combined rate: 17.75% of gross rental income.

Collection: Self-remit: operators pay city TAT monthly to director of budget and fiscal services; state TAT self-remit to Hawaii Department of Taxation

Filing: Monthly by the 20th of each month; quarterly or semiannual with director approval

Rental Limits

Honolulu does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent. Each individual stay must be 29 nights or fewer per stay.

Occupancy & Density Limits

Up to 2 rooms; maximum 2 adult transient occupants per room

Zoning & Restrictions

Owner-occupied: Resort-zoned areas and specific apartment-zoned areas only. Permitted only in resort-zoned areas and specific apartment-zoned areas; prohibited elsewhere to preserve long-term housing

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

Honolulu does not require short-term rental operators to carry specific insurance. Standard homeowner policies often exclude short-term rental activity, so many hosts obtain dedicated short-term rental or landlord liability coverage. No minimum specified.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Failure to obtain registration is a civil violation punishable by up to $1,000 per violation; violations appealable to director within 30 days

Compliance Checklist

Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Honolulu:

  1. Determine your permit type. Honolulu has 2 permit types. Identify which applies to your property (Bed and Breakfast Home (B&B) Registration, Transient Vacation Unit (TVU) Registration).
  2. Apply for your STR permit. Submit application + $1,000 fee. See permit types above to determine which applies.
  3. Register for tax accounts. Set up hotel occupancy tax accounts with the city tax authority.
  4. Collect and remit taxes. 17.75% on all bookings.
  5. Renew annually. $500 renewal fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Honolulu?
Yes. Honolulu requires a short-term rental permit to operate an Airbnb or Vrbo, and there are 2 permit types — one requires the property to be your primary residence, and another allows non-owner-occupied (investment) use. See the permit types above to find which applies to your property.
Are there major restrictions on short-term rentals in Honolulu?
Yes — Permitted only in resort-zoned areas and specific apartment-zoned areas; prohibited elsewhere to preserve long-term housing. Review the full rules above before listing.
How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Honolulu?
A short-term rental permit in Honolulu costs $1,000.
Does Honolulu require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?
It depends on the permit type. At least one Honolulu permit requires the property to be your primary residence, while another allows non-owner-occupied (investment) use — see the permit types above.
How many days a year can you short-term rent in Honolulu?
Honolulu does not cap the total number of nights per year, but each individual stay must be 29 nights or fewer.
What taxes do you pay on a short-term rental in Honolulu?
Short-term rental stays in Honolulu are subject to a combined 17.75% in lodging taxes. This combines 3% Honolulu County Transient Accommodations Tax (OTAT) + 10.25% Hawaii State Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) + 4.5% Hawaii General Excise Tax (GET). The host is responsible for collecting and remitting them.
What happens if you run a short-term rental without a permit in Honolulu?
Operating without a permit can cost up to $1,000.

Official Sources

  1. Short-Term Rentals - Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting
  2. Honolulu ROH Chapter 8A - Transient Accommodations Tax
  3. Transient Accommodations Tax - Hawaii Department of Taxation