Honolulu to require minimum 3-month stays for vacation rentals on Oahu
Controversy over the impact of short-term vacation rentals in Hawaii persists, as the Aloha State continues to contend with post-pandemic overtourism and reassesses how out-of-area travelers affect the communities they’re visiting.
The city of Honolulu’s City Council recently passed new legislation, which extends the required minimum duration for guest stays in short-term rentals on Oahu to three months, from the current period of 30 days.
The Council passed the measure in an 8-1 vote, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Since Honolulu’s Mayor Rick Blangiardi introduced the request for these changes himself; it’s expected that he’ll readily sign off on the bill.
With few exceptions, the new rules will also restrict the operation of shortterm rentals to the island’s resort-zoned areas in Koolina, Kuilima, Makaha and parts of Waikiki. The only exceptions made might be for apartment-zoned areas close to resort areas, which may permit short-term guests to rent entire properties as Transient Vacation Rentals, or for B&Bs where someone resides on the property long-term, but may rent rooms to visitors on a shortterm basis.
The measure will also increase registration fees for legal vacation rentals and prohibit on-street parking in communities zoned as rural, residential or apartment-use. Vehicle traffic and parking congestion has been one of the major issues impacting residents ever since Hawaii began welcoming back out-of-state travelers.
Locals remain divided over the value of allowing short-term rentals, according to The Associated Press.