Honolulu

Zoning check

Check the city's STR eligibility map before anything else.[1] The code allows new registrations only in listed areas: parts of the Waikiki apartment precinct, A-1 and A-2 apartment districts within 3,500 feet of a resort district of more than 50 contiguous acres, and certain Hoakalei-area lots.[4] If the code's descriptions and its figures differ, the figures prevail.[4]

Who registers

The owner or operator registers each unit with the city on its form.[4] The first application needs a title report, tax record or deed confirming everyone who owns an interest in the property.[4] It also needs your Hawaii general excise tax, transient accommodations tax and city transient accommodations tax licenses.[4]

Application papers

Send proof of insurance, a letter from the homeowners or apartment owners association dated no more than one year before you apply, and the informational binder.[4] You also attest that the unit is not income-restricted, got no housing or rental assistance and had no eviction in the last 12 months.[4]

Fees and renewal

The city's fee schedule lists $1,000 for initial registration and $500 for renewal.[5] A registration lasts one year.[4] Renew no earlier than three months and no later than one month before it expires.[4]

No transfers

A registration is not transferable and does not run with the land.[4] A change in ownership or in the operator needs a new registration.[4] Holders of grandfathered certificates must renew between Sept 1 and Oct 15 every year.[2]

Guests and occupancy

Register every overnight guest with you.[4] No more than two adults may sleep in each allowable room, and total adult overnight guests can't pass two times the number of rooms you offer.[4] Keep a current two-year registry of guest names, phone numbers and stay dates.[4]

Insurance

Carry at least $1,000,000 per occurrence in commercial general liability insurance, or homeowner's insurance with business liability coverage.[4] Coverage offered through a hosting platform counts if it meets that minimum.[4]

Safety and inspection

Install working smoke detectors in each sleeping room and each connected hallway.[4] Add carbon monoxide detectors there too if the room is served by natural gas, propane or another combustible gas.[4] The unit must be open to city inspection on reasonable notice.[4]

House rules

Your house rules must set quiet hours from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., and your binder must list a 24-hour phone number for the owner or operator.[4] The property can't host gatherings of 10 or more people who aren't registered overnight guests, and exterior signs for the rental are banned.[4]

Advertising

Every ad must show your registration number and the property's tax map key number.[2, 4] Advertising a unit that isn't registered for less than 90 consecutive days is unlawful.[4] Remove a flagged ad within seven days of a notice of violation.[4]

State TAT

Hawaii's transient accommodations tax rose from 10.25% to 11% on Jan 1, 2026.[6] The tax applies to operators of transient accommodations.[10]

Oahu TAT

Oahu adds a 3% transient accommodations tax on gross rental proceeds.[7] If you pay the state TAT on Oahu property, you also pay the Oahu TAT, and the city takes that payment separately from the state's.[7]

General excise tax

Operators pay the general excise tax (GET) as well as the TAT.[10] The GET rate on Oahu is 4.5%, which includes a 0.5% county surcharge.[8]

Tax licenses

Get your state TAT and GET licenses before you apply, since the city application asks for them.[4] The city sends tax questions to the state Department of Taxation, and Oahu TAT questions to the city's budget department.[2]

Civil fines

A violation of the transient vacation unit rules can bring a civil fine of up to $10,000, then up to $10,000 for each day the violation continues.[3] An order becomes final 30 days after it is served, and you can appeal it to the zoning board of appeals.[3]

Revocation

The director may revoke a registration if you get more than two notices of order in a year.[4] Revocation can also follow if complaints show the unit disturbs the neighborhood.[4] One or more notices of order in a year can lead to a denied renewal.[4]

Complaints and maps

Anyone can file a complaint online, and STR inspectors follow up during city business hours of 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.[2] The city's compliance map shows registered STRs and those issued a notice of violation or order.[1]

State law

Hawaii's Act 17 (2024) says uses that include transient accommodations aren't residential uses and may be phased out or amortized by the counties.[11]