Short-Term Rentals in Hawaii County, HI (2026)

10 rules for unincorporated Hawaii County, Hawaii.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Hawaii County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply — see the city list below.

Permit Requirements

Every short-term vacation rental on Hawai'i Island must hold a County STVR Registration before operating. Rentals in unpermitted zoning districts also need a Nonconforming Use Certificate (NUC). Permits are issued by the County of Hawai'i Planning Department under Ordinance 18-114 (Bill 108).

Short-Term Vacation Rental Registration and NUC Permit

Some Restrictions

Hawai'i County Ordinance 18-114 (Bill 108)

The recently-adopted Ordinance 18-114, also known as "Bill 108," regulates vacation rentals in Hawai'i County and defines a "Short-Term Vacation Rental" as: a dwelling unit of which the owner or operator does not reside on the building site, that has no more than five bedrooms for rent on the building site, and is rented for a period of thirty consecutive days or less.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Noise Rules

Hawai'i County STVRs must post and enforce a Good Neighbor Policy setting quiet hours from 9:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., during which STVR noise must not unreasonably disturb neighbors. Outside quiet hours, audible sound may not be more excessive than a normal residential area.

STVR Quiet Hours and Good Neighbor Noise Rules

Some Restrictions

Hawai'i County Ordinance 18-114, Good Neighbor Policy

Quiet hours shall be from 9:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., during which time the noise from the STVR shall not unreasonably disturb adjacent neighbors. Sound that is audible beyond the property boundaries during non-quiet hours shall not be more excessive than would be otherwise associated with a residential area.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Taxes & Fees

Hawai'i Island STVR income is taxed at 10.25% State Transient Accommodations Tax plus a 3% County of Hawai'i TAT surcharge (13.25% combined), on top of the 4% General Excise Tax. The STVR Registration fee is a one-time $500; NUCs renew annually.

STVR Taxes: TAT, County Surcharge, GET and Permit Fees

Some Restrictions

HRS 237D-2; HRS 237D-2.5; Hawai'i County Ordinance 21-89

The TAT rate on your gross rental proceeds is 10.25%. ... I am already paying the GET at 4% (plus a county surcharge if applicable). Do I have to pay both GET and TAT? Yes. You are required to be registered for, and to pay both GET and TAT.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Parking Rules

All guest parking for a Hawai'i County STVR must be off-street and meet the parking standards in Hawai'i County Code Sections 25-4-50 through 25-4-54. Guests must park in the designated parking area, and the required number of spaces is set at registration.

STVR Off-Street Guest Parking Requirements

Some Restrictions

HCC 25-4-50 through 25-4-54; Ordinance 18-114

Guest Parking. All guest parking for STVRs shall be off-street and shall meet the requirements set forth in HCC Sections 25-4-50 through 25-4-54 and applicable parking standards in HCC Chapter 25. If there is any doubt as to the requirements for off-street parking for an STVR, the Director shall determine the required number of parking spaces.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Occupancy Limits

A Hawai'i County STVR may rent no more than five bedrooms at any given time. The maximum number of guests residing in the rental at once must be consistent with the definition of "Family" under Hawai'i County Code Chapter 25.

STVR Bedroom Cap and Maximum Guest Occupancy

Some Restrictions

Hawai'i County Ordinance 18-114, STVR Standards

Maximum Number of Guests. The maximum number of guests temporarily residing within an STVR at any one time shall be consistent with the definition of "Family" under Hawai'i County Code (HCC) Chapter 25.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Insurance Requirements

Bill 108 does not impose a specific liability-insurance minimum on Hawai'i County STVRs. It does require that every print and internet advertisement, including listings with a rental service or real estate firm, display the STVR Registration Number (and NUC Number if issued).

STVR Insurance and Registration-Number Advertising Duty

Some Restrictions

Hawai'i County Ordinance 18-114, STVR Standards

Advertising. All print and internet advertising of STVRs, including listings with a rental service or real estate firm, shall include the STVR Registration Number. The Nonconforming Use Certificate Number shall also be included, if one has been issued.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Night Caps

A Hawai'i County STVR is defined by a maximum stay: rental "for a period of thirty consecutive days or less." Rentals of 30-plus consecutive days are not STVRs. Bill 108 sets no annual night cap and no minimum-night requirement county-wide.

STVR Rental-Length Limit and Minimum-Night Rules

Some Restrictions

Hawai'i County Ordinance 18-114 (Bill 108)

[A] dwelling unit of which the owner or operator does not reside on the building site, that has no more than five bedrooms for rent on the building site, and is rented for a period of thirty consecutive days or less.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Registration Rules

STVR Registration is filed with the County of Hawai'i Planning Department under Rule 23. Applicants submit a completed form, $500 fee, final building permit approvals, current GET/TAT licenses, a Real Property Tax Clearance Certificate, scaled site and floor plans, and a notarized Affidavit of Compliance.

STVR Registration Rules and Application Documents

Some Restrictions

Hawai'i County Ordinance 18-114; Planning Dept Rule 23

Current tax licenses. Please submit copies of your current State of Hawai'i General Excise Tax / Transient Accommodations Tax licenses for your STVR. County of Hawai'i Real Property Tax Clearance Certificate obtained from the Real Property Tax Division. Notarized Affidavit of Compliance. All landowners must sign a copy of the attached Short-Term Vacation Rental Affidavit of Compliance.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Host Presence Rule

A Hawai'i County STVR must name an Owner or Reachable Person who resides in the County, is reachable 24/7, can respond by phone within one hour, and can be physically present at the rental within three hours of a guest, neighbor, or County agency call.

STVR Reachable-Person 24/7 Presence Rule

Some Restrictions

Hawai'i County Ordinance 18-114, STVR Standards

The Owner or Reachable Person shall: (1) Reside in the County of Hawai'i; (2) Be reachable by guests, neighbors, and County agencies on a twenty-four (24) hour, seven (7) days-per-week basis; (3) Be able to respond via telephone... within one (1) hour... and be physically present at the STVR within three hours...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

Hawai'i County's Bill 108 STVR rules apply to rentals where the owner does NOT live on site. Short-term use of an owner's primary residence (as defined under IRC Section 121) is excluded from the STVR definition. There is no county-wide primary-residence-only mandate for STVRs.

STVRs and the Primary-Residence Exemption

Some Restrictions

Hawai'i County Ordinance 18-114 (Bill 108)

A dwelling unit of which the owner or operator does not reside on the building site... This definition does not include the short-term use of an owner's primary residence as defined under section 121 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Hawaii County ordinances

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