Note on jurisdiction: Wailuku is the county seat and a community within Maui County. STRs are regulated by Maui County; there are no separate city-level rules specific to Wailuku beyond countywide ordinances.

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Wailuku/Maui County?

• Yes. Short-term rentals are allowed in Maui County under specific permitting and zoning pathways.
• Two primary pathways exist:
  1. Bed & Breakfast Home (B&B) permits (owner-occupied, less intensive “home-share” use).
  2. Short-Term Rental Home (STRH) permits (non-owner-occupied rental of a residential dwelling).
• Location matters: Maui County limits the number of STRH permits by Community Plan Region (including the Wailuku region) under 19.65.030.R. STRHs require both a Conditional Use Permit and a STRH approval before operation.
• Historic legacy supply: Many condominium complexes in apartment zones that predate 1991 are permitted to operate as STRs under county policy and the “Minatoya” framework; see the county’s Short-Term Occupancy List.
• Pending regulatory risk: As of late 2025, Maui County is considering “Bill 9,” which would phase out STRs in apartment districts (affecting many legacy complexes). The bill’s final form and legal challenges remain unresolved; see the “Regulatory Outlook” section below.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Wailuku/Maui County

Step-by-step:

1. Confirm your property’s zoning eligibility and community plan area.
   • Use the county’s interactive Zoning & Flood Confirmation tool to confirm zoning and to obtain the required zoning confirmation form for applications.
2. Determine the correct permit path.
   • B&B Home: Owner-occupied, limited transient use. Requires a B&B permit.
   • STRH: Non-owner-occupied residential unit. Requires a Conditional Use Permit (CP) plus a STRH permit. STRH availability is capped per region under 19.65.030.R.
3. Submit applications.
   • B&B: Submit via the county’s B&B permit process.
   • STRH: Submit the STRH application through the county’s CP STRH portal (MAPPS). The application will be routed through Planning Administration and the Current Planning Division.
4. Obtain required documents and clearances.
   • Zoning & Flood Confirmation (required at application).
   • Other supporting documents (see “Documents, Permits, and Licenses”).
5. Apply for state tax licenses.
   • General Excise Tax (GE) license and Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) registration prior to collecting and remitting taxes.
6. Operate in compliance.
   • Maintain valid permits and business licenses, comply with county ordinances, HOA/CC&R rules (if applicable), and tax remittances.

Notes:

• In permitted apartment-zoned condo complexes (per the county’s Short-Term Occupancy List), owners can operate without a separate STRH or B&B permit if the complex/unit is on the approved list and zoning allows. Always verify the complex is on the county list and check HOA rules.
• Hotel-zoned condominiums may operate as hotel/visitor accommodations per their zoning; confirm status and association rules.

Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Required permits and applications (county):

• Bed & Breakfast Home (B&B) Permit (owner-occupied)
  • Application series: BBHA, BBKM, BBLA, BBMO, BBMP, BBPH, BBWK, BBWM (depending on location).
  • For permitted B&B homes, see the county’s current list of B&B permits.
• Short-Term Rental Home (STRH) (non-owner-occupied)
  • Two-step process: Conditional Use Permit (CP) + STRH application via MAPPS.
  • Required form: Zoning & Flood Confirmation.
  • For permitted STRHs, see the county’s current list of STRH permits.
• Additional permits (site-specific):
  • Land Use Commission Special Use Permit (SUP) (series SUP1, SUP2) where applicable.
  • Conditional Use Permit (CP) (when required by zoning).

Required licenses/taxes (state and county):

• General Excise Tax (GE) license (State of Hawaii).
• Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) registration (State of Hawaii).
• See Maui County’s TAT information page for county procedures and resources.

Regulatory references:

• Ordinance 5300 (effective Nov. 26, 2021) amended Maui County Code Chapters 19.64 (B&B permits) and 19.65 (STRH permits). Use this to review current standards for B&B and STRH operations.
• Maui County Code 19.65.020 defines standards and requirements for Short-Term Rental Homes.
• Maui County Code 19.65.030.R provides Community Plan Region limitations/caps for STRH permits.
• Ordinance history and the application series confirm that STRHs require both a Conditional Use Permit and a STRH approval.

Operational considerations:

• Association/HOA rules: Condo associations may impose separate restrictions on short-term rentals (occupancy, registration, amenities, quiet hours). Review CC&Rs and HOA bylaws.
• Long-term vs. short-term: County policy defines short-term occupancy as less than 180 days; minimum 180-day leases are considered long-term.
• Safety and life safety: STRs must meet applicable building, fire, and health standards; confirm any local requirements for smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, posting requirements, emergency contacts, and maximum occupancy with the Current Planning Division.

Specific Regulations (County and State)

County-level rules (applies to Wailuku):

• STRH permits are capped per Community Plan Region; the Wailuku region’s cap is enforced under 19.65.030.R.
• STRHs require both a Conditional Use Permit and a STRH approval before operation.
• B&B permits (owner-occupied) are subject to the standards in Chapter 19.64 and Ordinance 5300.
• Zoning confirmation is required for all STRH and B&B applications.
• Apartment-zoned complexes on the county’s Short-Term Occupancy List may operate as STRs without separate STRH/B&B permits, subject to zoning and association rules.
• Maui County has a moratorium on new STR condo complexes (Bill 159, 2022). No new STR condominium projects are being permitted.

State-level rules (Hawaii):

• Counties have authority to regulate the time, place, manner, and duration of STRs (see 2024 state legislation clarifying county powers).
• STR operators must obtain and maintain GE and TAT licenses/registrations and remit applicable taxes.

Regulatory outlook (2025):

• Maui County’s “Bill 9” proposes to phase out STRs in apartment districts. As of August 2025, the proposal has advanced in committee and is under active consideration, with exemptions possible for certain resort areas. The final bill and any legal challenges remain unresolved. Owners and investors should monitor council proceedings closely.

Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs)

County of Maui – Planning Administration

• Phone: (808) 270-7735
• Fax: (808) 270-1775

County of Maui – Current Planning Division

• Physical Address: 2200 Main Street, One Main Plaza Bldg, Suite 619, Wailuku, HI 96793
• Phone: (808) 270-8205
• Fax: (808) 270-1775

County of Maui – General Contact (Information Desk)

• Address: 200 S. High St., Kalana O Maui Bldg, Wailuku, HI 96793
• Information Desk: 2nd floor lobby
• Phone: (808) 270-8205
• For directory assistance: see Maui County Directory

Links to Source Pages (Reference)

• Maui County – Short-Term Rentals overview and applications: www.mauicounty.gov/1377/Short-Term-Rentals
• Maui County – Short-Term Rental Home (STRH) Application: www.mauicounty.gov/1874/Short-Term-Rental-Home-STRH-Application
• Maui County – Zoning & Flood Confirmation (interactive form): hi-mauicountymapps.civicplus.com/208/ZAED-Land-Use-Designation-Form
• CP STRH – Short-Term Rental Home (application portal): hi-mauicountymapps.civicplus.com/183/CP-STRH---Short-Term-Rental-Home
• Maui County Code – Short-Term Rental Home Permits (19.65): library.municode.com/hi/county_of_maui/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT19ZO_ARTIVREMIAR_CH19.65SHRMREHO_19.65.020DIWHPE
• Maui County – Ordinance 5300 (2021) – B&B and STRH amendments: www.mauicounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/130739/Ord-5300
• Maui County – Permitted Bed & Breakfast Homes (B&B list): www.mauicounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/11127
• Maui County – Permitted Short-Term Rental Homes (STRH list): www.mauicounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/14762
• Maui County – Permitted Transient Vacation Rentals (TVR list): www.mauicounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/11128
• Maui County – Short-Term Occupancy List (Minatoya List, as of 06/27/2024): www.mauicounty.gov/DocumentCenter/View/112945/Short-Term-Occupancy-List-as-of-06272024
• Maui County – Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) information: www.mauicounty.gov/2466/Transient-Accommodations-Tax
• Hawaii State Department of Taxation – General Excise Tax (GET) information: tax.hawaii.gov/geninfo/get/
• Maui Now – Legal outlook for Bill 9 (Aug 2025): mauinow.com/2025/08/24/owners-mulling-legal-action-if-maui-countys-short-term-rental-bill-passes-could-it-stand-up-in-court/
• Maui Planning Department – Alpha Listing of Development Applications (public applications index): www.mauicounty.gov/index.asp?NID=1358

This guide reflects Maui County’s rules that govern STRs in Wailuku. Always verify the current status of pending legislation (e.g., Bill 9) and confirm zoning/permit requirements with the Planning Administration or Current Planning Division before acquisition or operation.