Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Haiku?

Yes—short-term rentals (STRs) are allowed in Haiku, but under strict limits and zoning rules administered by Maui County. Haiku falls within the Paia–Haiku Community Plan Area (CPA). In this CPA, the County caps the number of Short-Term Rental Home (STRH) permits at 48. As of the latest public list (Issue/Renew dates through October 8, 2025), 37 STRH permits were approved in Paia–Haiku, meaning approximately 11 permits remain available before the cap is reached. Investors should verify real-time availability with the County before pursuing a permit, as the cap can be reached without notice. When the number of approved STRH permits reaches 90% of the CPA limit, the County Council conducts a review of restrictions, and at 100% of the cap, new permits stop for that region until the Council takes action.

For clarity: Maui County uses the term “short-term” to mean rentals shorter than 180 days. STRH refers to permitted single-family residential operations. Bed & Breakfast (B&B) permits are a separate category (owner-occupied, hosted stays). Condominium units in hotel-zoned complexes are also allowed to operate as STRs without a County STRH permit, but all STR operators must obtain State tax licenses and pay both the Hawaii General Excise Tax (GET) and Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT). Transient Vacation Rentals (TVRs) are a legacy category associated with certain historical uses; current County permitting centers on STRH and B&B.

State-level context: Hawaii requires all STR operators to register for and remit GET and TAT. Haiku STR operators are subject to these state tax obligations in addition to County permitting.

Zoning Pathways That Allow STR Use Without a County STRH Permit

• Hotel-zoned condo complexes: Units in hotel zoning can legally rent short-term without a County STRH permit. These operations are subject to association rules and must obtain GET and TAT licenses.
• Apartment-zoned “Minatoya list” condos: Historically, certain apartment-zoned complexes have been allowed to operate as STRs under a long-standing interpretation of County zoning. This privilege has been subject to proposed phase-out legislation (Bill 9, advancing in 2025) and potential legal challenges. Buyers and operators in apartment-zoned STRs should closely monitor policy and legal developments.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Haiku

Investors have two principal pathways to operate legally in Haiku:

1. STRH Permit Route (Single-Family STRH)

• Confirm eligibility: The subject parcel must be within an area where STRHs are allowed and within the Paia–Haiku CPA limit. You must be prepared to meet all operating requirements and association rules if the property is part of a condo association.
• Verify zoning and flood designation: Use the County’s MAPPS/Zoning & Flood Confirmation form to validate land use designation and flood zone before applying.
• Select the appropriate application:
  • Short-Term Rental Home (STRH) Application (for single-family STR operations).
  • Bed & Breakfast (B&B) Permit if the operation will be owner-occupied and hosted (see specific permit codes for the Haiku/Papia region: BBHA, BBKM, BBLA, BBMO, BBMP, BBPH, BBWK, BBWM).
  • Conditional Use Permit (CP) if the property does not meet standard STRH criteria but may qualify under special circumstances.
  • Land Use Commission Special Use Permit (SUP1, SUP2) for special uses requiring State Land Use Commission approval.
• Submit application through MAPPS and pay required fees: The County’s Maui Automated Planning and Permitting System (MAPPS) is the portal for all development permits and applications. Processing involves administrative review, public notice, and potential Planning Commission action depending on permit type.
• Designate an on-site manager and parking plan: STRH operations must have a designated manager available by telephone at all times and able to arrive onsite within one hour. All parking must be on-site; street parking is prohibited.
• Register for State taxes: Obtain Hawaii General Excise Tax (GET) and Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) licenses and set up remittance. These are required for all STR operators regardless of zoning.
• Operate and renew: Maintain compliance with permit conditions (occupancy, manager, parking, advertising with permit number, no events, etc.). Monitor renewal cycles; the County lists permits through specific issue/renew dates (e.g., through October 8, 2025).

2. Hotel-Zoned Condo Route (No County STRH Permit Required)

• Purchase within a hotel-zoned complex: Confirm the condo’s zoning and the association’s STR rules before closing.
• Association compliance: Many complexes require guest registration, limit occupancy, and impose amenity-use restrictions.
• State tax compliance: Register for GET and TAT. Implement tax collection and remittance procedures (often managed by a property management company).
• Advertising: Include STR-related identifiers as required by association rules; ensure full transparency to guests regarding check-in and amenity policies.

In all cases, Haiku STRs are subject to County noise, occupancy, and parking standards. Properties with CC&Rs or association bylaws may impose stricter rules; investors should review these documents during due diligence.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• County permits and applications (via MAPPS):
  • Short-Term Rental Home (STRH) Application
  • Bed & Breakfast Permit (codes relevant to Haiku/Papia region: BBHA, BBKM, BBLA, BBMO, BBMP, BBPH, BBWK, BBWM)
  • Conditional Use Permit (CP)
  • Land Use Commission Special Use Permit (SUP1, SUP2)
  • Zoning & Flood Confirmation (required early in the process)
• State licenses and taxes:
  • Hawaii General Excise Tax (GET) registration
  • Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) registration
• Operating requirements (STRH):
  • Designated manager available by phone at all times; able to be on-site within one hour
  • On-site parking only; no street parking
  • Advertising must include the STRH permit number
  • Maximum six bedrooms across up to two licensed STRH dwellings
  • No events or commercial activities beyond normal STR use
• Permitting transparency and caps:
  • Paia–Haiku CPA cap: 48 STRH permits (37 approved as of October 8, 2025; approx. 11 remaining)
  • Council reviews restrictions at 90% of cap; no new permits at 100% until Council action
• Monitoring tools:
  • County lists of permitted STRH, B&B, and TVR homes
  • Paia–Haiku CPA application status reports (for transparency on pending applications)
• Compliance enforcement:
  • County enforcement actions can include fines and permit revocation for violations

Specific Regulations in Haiku, Maui County, and Hawaii

• Haiku (Paia–Haiku CPA):
  • STRH permits capped at 48; 37 approved as of October 8, 2025
  • STRH operations limited to six bedrooms across two licensed dwellings
  • Designated manager and on-site parking requirements apply
  • Advertising must display the permit number
• Maui County:
  • All STRHs must comply with County Code and permit conditions
  • TVR operations under Conditional Permits are included in counting toward caps
  • Processing and issuance occur through MAPPS; permits have defined issue/renew cycles
  • Council review of CPA caps triggered at 90% of limit
• State of Hawaii:
  • GET and TAT registration and remittance mandatory for all STR operators
  • Penalties for non-compliance with tax obligations

Proposed Maui County Policy Change Affecting Apartment-Zoned STRs (Context for Investors)

Maui County’s Bill 9 (2025) proposes phasing out STR rights for apartment-zoned complexes (the “Minatoya list”), potentially impacting thousands of units across West and South Maui by 2028–2030, while preserving hotel-zoned properties. As of July 2025, Bill 9 has advanced from committee and moves to the full County Council for final readings and a vote. Expect legal challenges if enacted. Buyers considering apartment-zoned STRs should factor policy risk into underwriting and consider hotel-zoned alternatives for greater regulatory stability.

Contacts for Local Authority (STRs and Zoning)

• County of Maui Information Desk
  • Address: 200 S. High St., Kalana O Maui Bldg., Wailuku, HI 96793
  • Location: 2nd floor lobby
  • Phone: (808) 270-7565
  • Website: mauicounty.gov (see STR pages, MAPPS, and directory)
• Short-Term Rentals (Permits & Applications):
  • mauicounty.gov/1377/Short-Term-Rentals
• MAPPS (Maui Automated Planning and Permitting System):
  • mauicounty.gov/2479/MAPPS-Information
• Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) and GET info:
  • Hawaii Department of Taxation: tax.hawaii.gov
  • Maui County TAT resources: mauicounty.gov/2466/Transient-Accommodations-Tax

Source Pages

• Maui County – Short-Term Rentals (applications and resources):
  • www.mauicounty.gov/1377/Short-Term-Rentals
• Maui County – Permitted Short-Term Rental Homes (STRH) List:
  • www.mauicounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/14762/Approved-Short-Term-Rental-Homes-List?bidId=-
• Maui County – Ordinance 5300 (amending B&B and STRH permits):
  • www.mauicounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/130739/Ord-5300
• Zoning & Flood Confirmation (MAPPS form):
  • hi-mauicountymapps.civicplus.com/208/ZAED-Land-Use-Designation-Form
• Status of B&B and STRH Applications in Paia–Haiku CPA:
  • www.mauicounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/116533/BBs-and-STRHs-in-Paia-Haiku-CPA
• Maui Elite Property – STR Rules 2025 (context and investor perspective):
  • www.mauieliteproperty.com/blog/short-term-rental-rules-on-maui-in-2025.html
• The Maui Property Team – Bill 9 (apartment-zoned STR phase-out proposal):
  • www.mauiproperty.com/blog/maui-vacation-rental-ban-advances/
• Hawaii Department of Taxation – GET and TAT:
  • tax.hawaii.gov/geninfo/get/
• Maui County – Transient Accommodations Tax:
  • www.mauicounty.gov/2466/Transient-Accommodations-Tax

Notes and Cautions

• Timeframes and caps: CPA caps and application counts change as permits are processed. Always confirm current status before making acquisition decisions.
• Association rules: For condos (hotel- or apartment-zoned), CC&Rs and association bylaws can add occupancy caps, registration rules, amenity restrictions, and quiet hours. Review these early in escrow.
• Apartment-zoned STRs: The proposed Bill 9 phase-out introduces material regulatory risk. Hotel-zoned properties offer more stability.
• Manager and parking: STRH permits require a designated manager and on-site parking. Street parking for guests is not permitted.
• Taxes: GET and TAT apply to all STRs. Set up licenses and remittance procedures before operating.