Is Airbnb legal in Honolulu, HI?
RestrictedThese rules are changing or in active litigation. Verify the current status directly before you rely on it.
Airbnb is restricted in Honolulu, HI
CO 25-02 (2025) reinstated the 90-day minimum stay outside resort areas effective September 2025. Stays under 90 days are legal only in resort zones, for NUC holders, or for operators grandfathered under the 2023 federal injunction against the prior ordinance. Fines run up to $5,000, escalating to $10,000 a day for continuing violations.
Verified July 2026. Not legal advice. Rules change and may be enforced differently than written. Confirm with the city before you list.
Key rules at a glance
Permit or registration
Required
Primary residence only
No
Annual night cap
Not confirmed
Registration fee
See ordinance
How short-term rentals work in Honolulu
The first step in Honolulu is the city's permit or registration process; check the ordinance for the current fee. The status card above has the full detail on the current rules.
Non-owner investors can operate in Honolulu, but within the city's limits above. Read the ordinance closely before you buy, because permits, caps, or zoning can make a specific property ineligible.
At the state level, Hawaii leaves short-term rental rules to cities and counties.
What it means for investors
An STR can still work in Honolulu, but the limits shrink the pool of eligible properties and add compliance cost. Underwrite conservatively and confirm the specific address qualifies before you commit.
Last reviewed July 2026. Informational and educational only, not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created. Rules change and may be enforced differently than written. Verify the current ordinance with your local jurisdiction or counsel before acting.
Frequently asked questions
Is Airbnb legal in Honolulu?
CO 25-02 (2025) reinstated the 90-day minimum stay outside resort areas effective September 2025. Stays under 90 days are legal only in resort zones, for NUC holders, or for operators grandfathered under the 2023 federal injunction against the prior ordinance. Fines run up to $5,000, escalating to $10,000 a day for continuing violations. This reflects the rules as of July 2026; confirm the current ordinance with the city before you list.
Do I need a permit to run a short-term rental in Honolulu?
Yes. Honolulu requires a permit or registration to operate a short-term rental, and platforms increasingly require the permit number on the listing.
Can I run a non-owner-occupied Airbnb in Honolulu?
Yes, Honolulu does not require you to live in the property, though other limits such as caps, zoning, or licensing may still apply.
Is there a limit on how many nights I can rent in Honolulu?
No specific annual night cap was confirmed for Honolulu, though minimum-stay rules or license caps may effectively limit operations. Check the ordinance.
What taxes apply to a short-term rental in Honolulu?
Short-term rentals in Honolulu are generally subject to state and local lodging or occupancy taxes on top of income tax. Airbnb and VRBO collect some of these automatically, but not always all of them, so confirm the current rate and who remits it with Hawaii and the city.