Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Waianae?

Yes, short-term rentals are allowed in specific areas of Waianae, Hawaii, but with significant restrictions. Waianae is located within Honolulu County (City and County of Honolulu), and short-term rentals are only permitted in designated resort-zoned areas and for properties with valid permits. The vast majority of Waianae is not eligible for short-term rentals of less than 30 days unless the property falls within the Makaha Resort Zone or has a grandfathered Nonconforming Use Certificate (NUC).

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Waianae

1. Verify Property Eligibility

• Check if your property is in the Makaha Resort Zone - This is the only resort-zoned area in Waianae where short-term rentals are legally permitted
• Use the City and County of Honolulu STR Eligibility Map to confirm your property's zoning status
• Properties outside resort zones can only rent for 30+ day minimums (effectively making them mid-term rentals, not STRs)

2. Obtain Required Registration

• Register for STR Registration through the City and County of Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting
• Complete the online application when available (the system is currently being renovated)
• Include the statement of compliance (Rev. 7/2024) with your application

3. Tax Registration

• Obtain a Certificate of Registration from the Hawaii Department of Taxation
• Register for General Excise Tax (GET) license
• Register for Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) collection

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Essential Permits and Registration

1. STR Registration Certificate from City and County of Honolulu
2. Hawaii Tax ID Number from Hawaii Department of Taxation
3. GET License for General Excise Tax collection
4. TAT Registration for Transient Accommodations Tax

Required Documentation

• Statement of Compliance (Rev. 7/2024)
• Property tax map key information
• Registration number for advertising compliance
• Proof of property ownership or authorization

Operational Requirements

• Maximum occupancy: 2 adult transient occupants per room
• Parking requirements: Guests must park in driveways or designated parking stalls (not on public streets)
• Advertising compliance: Must display registration number and tax map key on all listings
• Minimum stay requirements: Properties outside resort zones must have 30-day minimum stays

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Zoning Restrictions

• Resort-zoned areas only: STRs under 30 days are restricted to resort-zoned properties
• Makaha Resort Zone: The primary legal STR area in Waianae
• Residential properties: Cannot operate STRs under 30 days without proper permits

Operational Regulations

• Guest occupancy limits: Maximum 2 adult transient occupants per room
• Parking restrictions: No parking on public streets for transient visitors
• Noise regulations: Must comply with local quiet hours and community standards
• Signage requirements: Must display required identification numbers in advertisements

Types of Short-Term Rentals Permitted

1. Bed and Breakfast Homes (B&Bs): Owner/permanent resident present during stay, up to 2 rooms
2. Transient Vacation Units (TVUs): Whole home/unhosted rentals with same occupancy limits

Enforcement and Penalties

• Violation fines: $1,000 to $10,000 per day for illegal operations
• Compliance monitoring: City actively issues Notices of Violation
• Required compliance: Properties must be registered to operate legally

Tax Obligations

General Excise Tax (GET)

• Rate: 4.5% (4% base rate + 0.5% Oahu surcharge)
• Applied to: Gross rental income

Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT)

• Rate: 10.25%
• Applied to: Gross rental income for stays under 180 days

Oahu Transient Accommodations Tax (OTAT)

• Rate: 3%
• Applied to: All rental income from stays shorter than 180 days

Note: These taxes are typically passed on to guests but must be collected and remitted by the property owner.

Contact Information for Local Authorities

City and County of Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting

• Address: 650 South King Street, 7th Floor, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
• Phone: (808) 768-8000
• Fax: (808) 768-6743
• Website: https://www.honolulu.gov/dpp/permitting/str/

Key Officials

• Director: Dawn Takeuchi Apuna
• Deputy Director: Bryan Gallagher
• 2nd Deputy Director: Regina Malepeai

Additional Resources

• STR Registration and Renewal: Available through the DPP website (currently under renovation)
• Request for Investigation: Report suspected illegal STRs at https://www.honolulu.gov/dpp/rfi/
• STR Compliance Map: https://cchnl.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=a87c9d1a9c4147c48286f569701f21b4

Hawaii Department of Taxation

• Website: https://tax.hawaii.gov/
• Business Registration: https://hbe.ehawaii.gov/BizEx/start-help.eb

Important Links and Source Pages

1. Honolulu County STR Information: https://www.honolulu.gov/dpp/permitting/str/
2. STR Eligibility Map: https://cchnl.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=ed2eec39157f41d3a27901de4b3f7530
3. STR Compliance Map: https://cchnl.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=a87c9d1a9c4147c48286f569701f21b4
4. Hawaii Estate Information: https://www.hiestates.com/blog/oahu-vacation-rentals-rules-zoning-and-more-heading-into-2024/
5. Dwell Hawaii STR Guide: https://www.dwellhawaii.com/hawaii-vacation-rentals/oahu/
6. RedAwning Market Overview: https://www.redawning.com/pm/market-overview/waianae-hawaii

Critical Note: The regulatory environment for short-term rentals in Hawaii is highly complex and subject to frequent changes. Always verify current regulations and obtain proper legal and tax advice before making any investment decisions. Properties in Waianae outside the Makaha Resort Zone are generally limited to 30+ day minimum rentals, significantly limiting traditional short-term rental opportunities.