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

7 rules for unincorporated Kauai County, Hawaii.

Verified from official government sources

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

Short-Term Rental Permits

On Kaua'i (Kaua'i County), every single-family transient vacation rental (TVR) must register with the Director of Finance under Sec. 8-17.9: existing units within a Visitor Destination Area had 180 days from March 7, 2008 to register, and new units must register before any rental use begins. A TVR outside a Visitor Destination Area also needs a Nonconforming Use Certificate.

Kaua'i County TVR Registration and Permit Rules

Significant Restrictions

Kaua'i County Code § 8-17.9

(a) All single family transient vacation rentals, excluding, however, a time share unit in a time share plan subject to Chapter 514E of the Hawai'i Revised Statutes, as amended, lawfully existing in Visitor Destination Areas on March 7, 2008 shall register with the Director of Finance on a form prescribed by the Director of Finance no later than 180 days after March 7, 2008. Any new single fami...
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Noise Rules

On Kaua'i (Kaua'i County), every homestay must hand guests a written notice, titled "For the Safety and Comfort of You and Your Neighbors," covering suggested curfews and guidance on neighborhood character, gatherings and noise, per Sec. 8-18.2(e). The notice must be filed with the Planning Department and posted inside the guest sleeping quarters alongside the zoning permit number.

Kaua'i County Homestay Noise and Gatherings Notice

Light Restrictions

Kaua'i County Code § 8-18.2(e)

(e) The homestay operator shall provide a list of requirements and information entitled "For the Safety and Comfort of You and Your Neighbors." This shall provide essential information to the visitor and shall seek to reduce negative impacts on the surrounding neighborhood. This information piece shall be provided to the Planning Department at time of application and shall be posted in a conspi...
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Taxes & Fees

Short-term rental hosts on Kaua'i pay the county's 3% transient accommodations tax on gross rental proceeds, layered on top of the 0.5% general excise surcharge and Hawai'i's own state TAT. Operators, brokers, and tour packagers must hold a State registration and remit monthly to the County Finance Director by the 20th, or face civil penalties.

Kaua'i STR Transient Accommodations Tax

Some Restrictions

Kaua'i County Code § 5-4.3

(a) There is levied and shall be assessed and collected each month a tax on the gross rental or gross rental proceeds derived from furnishing transient accommodations. (b) Every transient accommodations broker, travel agency, and tour packager who arranges transient accommodations at noncommissioned negotiated contract rates and every operator or other taxpayer who receives gross rental proceed...
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Short-Term Rental Parking Rules

On Kaua'i (Kaua'i County), each bedroom used for homestay guests must have its own additional paved, designated off-street parking stall under Sec. 8-18.2(a), on top of whatever parking the underlying residential dwelling already needed. The stall requirement stacks per guest bedroom rather than applying a single flat count per property.

Kaua'i County Homestay Parking Requirement

Some Restrictions

Kaua'i County Code § 8-18.2(a)

Development standards for homestay operations shall be the same as those for residential dwellings in Section 8-4.5 through 8-4.8 of this Code, inclusive, with the following additions: (a) Each bedroom used for homestay purposes shall require one additional paved and designated off-street parking stall;
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Host Presence Rule

On Kaua'i (Kaua'i County), the owner who claims the homeowner's tax exemption on a homestay must personally reside at the property and be physically available to guests during every homestay operation under Sec. 8-18.1(a)(3). No manager, relative or hired representative may stand in for the owner to satisfy this presence requirement, per Sec. 8-18.1(a)(4).

Kaua'i County Homestay Owner Presence Rule

Heavy Restrictions

Kaua'i County Code § 8-18.1(a)(3)-(4)

(3) During homestay operations, the owner(s) benefiting under Sec. 5A-11 of this Code for a homeowner's exemption for the homestay site must be physically within the County of Kaua'i, residing at the homestay operation site, and physically available for the needs and concerns of their respective homestay guests; and (4) No other individual or designated representative may act on the owner(s) be...
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

On Kaua'i (Kaua'i County), a homestay zoning permit renews only if the owner proves, every year, that the residential structure used for the homestay is still their primary residence and that they held a Sec. 5A-11 homeowner's tax exemption on that property in the year before renewal, per Sec. 8-18.3(b).

Kaua'i County Homestay Primary Residence Requirement

Heavy Restrictions

Kaua'i County Code § 8-18.3(b)

A property owner that has obtained a homestay zoning permit shall apply to renew the zoning permit annually on the date of issuance of the homestay zoning permit in accordance with the following regulations: ... (b) Each application to renew shall include proof that the primary residential structure(s) used for the homestay operation is the owner's primary residence, and the respective owner is...
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Extended Home Share

On Kaua'i (Kaua'i County), a homestay, where an owner rents rooms in their own home to visitors for 29 days or less, is capped at three guest rooms per property under Sec. 8-18.1 and may only operate inside a designated Visitor Destination Area. Outside a VDA, homestay operations are flatly prohibited, regardless of the owner's zoning district.

Kaua'i County Homestay (Home Share) Rules

Significant Restrictions

Kaua'i County Code § 8-18.1

(a) A homestay operation shall operate under the following regulations: (1) Transient accommodations are provided for visitors for 29 days or less; (2) Homestays shall be limited to no more than three guest rooms per homestay operation; ... (b) Homestay operations are prohibited outside of the Visitor Destination Area (VDA).
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

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