Honolulu County, HI Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Honolulu County, HI, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- Registering agency
- Dept. of Planning & Permitting
- Registration term
- 1 year, renewed annually
- Governing law
- ROH § 21-5.70-3(2)(A)
- Applies islandwide
- All of Oahu
Summary
Bed and breakfast homes and transient vacation units anywhere on Oahu must register with the Department of Planning and Permitting before renting, submitting ownership proof, tax licenses, insurance evidence, and an HOA letter.
The owner or operator of a bed and breakfast home or transient vacation unit shall register the bed and breakfast home or transient vacation unit with the department on a form prescribed by the director, and submit the following with the initial application for registration:
(aa) A title report for the subject property or a copy of the real property tax records listed on the department of budget and fiscal services property records search website, or a copy of a deed or conveyance document, confirming all persons owning an interest in the property;
(bb) A valid current State of Hawaii general excise tax license, transient accommodations tax license, and city transient accommodations tax license for the subject property;
(cc) For a bed and breakfast home, evidence of a real property tax home exemption for the subject property, and evidence that the applicant has a minimum 50 percent ownership interest in the subject property;
(dd) The initial registration fee for the bed and breakfast home or transient vacation unit in the amount specified in §
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
Under ROH § 21-5.70-3(2)(A), the owner or operator of a bed and breakfast home or transient vacation unit must register with the Department of Planning and Permitting on a director-prescribed form before operating anywhere on Oahu. The initial application requires a title report or tax records showing ownership, valid state and city transient accommodations tax licenses, the registration fee under § 6-41.1, proof of liability insurance, and a homeowners or apartment owners association letter confirming the use is permitted. Registration lasts one year from issuance and must be renewed annually.
Violations & Fines
Renting without a current registration certificate violates ROH § 21-5.70-3; the Department of Planning and Permitting can deny or revoke registration and cite the property for a zoning violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to rent my Oahu home short-term?
How often must I renew my Honolulu STR registration?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Honolulu County
How Honolulu County compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Compare Honolulu County to another location·View the Hawaii short-term rentals overview
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