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Honolulu County, HI Accessory Structures: ADU Rental Restrictions (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Permitted use
Long-term residential occupancy only
Prohibited
Bed and breakfast or transient vacation rental
Recording required
State bureau of conveyances or land court
Binding on
Heirs, successors, and assigns

Summary

Owners must record a covenant limiting an accessory dwelling unit to long-term residential occupancy: no bed and breakfast or vacation rental use.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Honolulu County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

The accessory dwelling unit may only be used for long-term residential occupancy and may not be used as a bed and breakfast home or transient vacation unit;

(ii)   The deed restrictions lapse upon removal of the accessory dwelling unit;

(iii)   All of the covenants are binding upon any and all heirs, successors, and assigns of the owners; and

(iv)   Neither the owners nor the heirs, successors, or assigns of the owners may submit the zoning lot or any portion thereof to a condominium property regime under the State of Hawaii Condominium Property Act to separate the ownership of an accessory dwelling unit from the ownership of its principal dwelling unit.

(B)   Removal. The owners of an accessory dwelling unit shall notify the department upon removal of the accessory dwelling unit.

(b)   Home occupation standards.

(1)   General.

(A)   The home occupation must be clearly incidental and subordinate to the use of the dwelling unit and zoning lot for residential living.

(B)   The home occupation use may not significantly change the exterior appearance of the dwelling unit, zoning lot, or the surrounding neighborhood. Onsite signage or advertisements for the home occupation is prohibited.

(C)   The outdoor storage of materials or supplies is prohibited.

(D)   The indoor storage of materials or supplies must not exceed 250 cubic feet or 20 percent of the total floor area of the dwelling unit, whichever is greater.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-10: Supplement 10, 12-2025 Ordinance No. 25-40 through Ordinance No. 25-56).

Full Breakdown

Before an accessory dwelling unit is approved, the owner must record a covenant with the state bureau of conveyances or land court stating the ADU may only be used for long-term residential occupancy and may not operate as a bed and breakfast home or transient vacation unit. The covenant binds all future heirs, successors and assigns, and violating it is an enforceable Land Use Ordinance violation.

Violations & Fines

Failing to abide by the recorded ADU covenant is a violation of the Land Use Ordinance, enforceable by the director under ROH § 21-2.150.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I rent my ADU out on Airbnb in Honolulu?
No: the recorded covenant required by ROH § 21-5.50-3(a)(2)(A)(i) limits ADUs to long-term residential occupancy and bars bed-and-breakfast or transient vacation use.
Who enforces the ADU covenant?
The director of the Department of Planning and Permitting under ROH § 21-2.150.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Honolulu County

All Honolulu County rules

Compare Honolulu County to another location·View the Hawaii accessory structures overview

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