Honolulu STRs must register annually with DPP and hold a nonconforming use certificate, B&B permit, or resort-zone TVU permit. Unregistered operation triggers fines up to 10,000 dollars per day.
The Department of Planning and Permitting administers registration for all legal short-term rentals on Oahu under Ordinance 22-7. There are three main permit paths. Nonconforming use certificates (NUCs) were issued decades ago for units operating before 1989 and must be renewed annually with proof of continuous use, taxes, and insurance. Bed-and-breakfast home permits allow an owner-occupied host to rent up to two bedrooms subject to caps created by Ordinance 19-18. Transient vacation unit registrations apply in resort zones such as Waikiki. All applicants submit proof of tax licenses, insurance, parking, and a responsible local contact available 24/7, and pay annual fees typically in the several-hundred-dollar range. Listings must display the registration number. Operating without registration is subject to daily fines up to 10,000 dollars.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how Urban Honolulu's registration rules rules stack up against other locations.
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