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Hawaii County, HI Short-Term Rentals: Host Presence Rule (2026)

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

Key Facts

Must reside in
County of Hawai'i
Availability
24 hours, 7 days a week
Phone response
Within 1 hour
On-site response
Within 3 hours
Contact posted
Back of each bedroom door

Summary

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.

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

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 Breakdown

The STVR Standards require the Owner or Reachable Person to reside in the County of Hawai'i and be reachable by guests, neighbors, and County agencies on a 24-hour, 7-day-per-week basis. That person must respond by telephone within one hour of a request and be physically present at the STVR within three hours when a guest, neighbor, or County agency asks. They must also keep activities consistent with the neighborhood's character, notify the Department within five days of contact-info changes, and within thirty days if the STVR permanently ceases operating. The Reachable Person's name and phone number must be posted on the back of the front door of all sleeping quarters.

Violations & Fines

Failing to maintain an available local Reachable Person violates the STVR Standards and can result in enforcement and revocation of the registration or NUC by the Planning Director.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a local contact for my STVR?
Yes. The Owner or Reachable Person must reside in the County of Hawai'i and be reachable 24/7 by guests, neighbors, and County agencies.
How fast must the contact person respond?
They must respond by phone within one hour and be physically present at the STVR within three hours of a request from a guest, neighbor, or County agency.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Hawaii County

All Hawaii County rules

Compare Hawaii County to another location·View the Hawaii short-term rentals overview

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