Honolulu County, HI Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Per-room cap
- 2 adults per sleeping room
- Total cap
- 2x number of sleeping rooms
- Occupant log
- 2-year registry required
- Governing law
- ROH § 21-5.70-3(2)(C)(ii)
Summary
Honolulu caps overnight guests at short-term rentals: no more than two adults per sleeping room, and total adult occupants may not exceed twice the number of rooms offered for sleeping.
Except for studio units, sleeping accommodations for all transient occupants must be provided in bedrooms or other rooms that are suitable for sleeping accommodations (such as a living room with a sofabed). No more than two adults may sleep in each allowable room in which sleeping accommodations are provided;
(cc) The total number of adult overnight transient occupants may not exceed two times the number of rooms provided to transient occupants for sleeping accommodations; and
(dd) The owner or operator shall maintain a current two-year registry setting forth the names and telephone numbers of all transient occupants and the dates of their respective stays;
(iii) Exterior signage indicating that a dwelling unit is used as a bed and breakfast home or transient vacation unit is prohibited;
(iv) Insurance coverage required. The owner or operator must maintain at all times a minimum of $1,000,000 per occurrence in commercial general liability insurance or homeowner’s insurance with business liability coverage. Additional homeowner’s insurance umbrella coverage to meet the $1,000,000 in homeowner’s insurance business liability coverage is also acceptable. Owners or operators may fulfill insurance requirements through coverage offered by a hosting platform; provided the insurance coverage satisfies the minimum requirements of this paragraph;
(v) Gatherings restricted. The property on which a bed and breakfast home or
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
ROH § 21-5.70-3(2)(C)(ii) sets occupancy limits for bed and breakfast homes and transient vacation units. All overnight transient occupants must be registered with the owner or operator. Except for studio units, sleeping accommodations must be provided in bedrooms or other suitable rooms, and no more than two adults may sleep in each allowable room. The total number of adult overnight transient occupants may not exceed two times the number of rooms provided for sleeping accommodations. The owner or operator must also keep a current two-year registry of occupant names, phone numbers, and stay dates.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the two-adults-per-room or twice-the-room-count occupancy caps violates ROH § 21-5.70-3 and can trigger a notice of order and registration denial or revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many guests can stay at a Honolulu vacation rental?
Do studio units follow the same occupancy rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Honolulu County
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