Registration as a STR
When did Registration become available and when is the deadline?
Registration became available online at our STR website starting October 24, 2022.
There is no deadline to register.
Who needs to register?
STRs are only permitted in resort-zoned areas, and as shown in Ordinance 25-52. Any owner or operator interested in renting out a unit within the STR-eligible areas for less than 30-days must register each unit to be rented for less than 30 days. Exceptions are:
1) Existing NUC holders do not need to register under the new registration system. Current NUC holders must renew their NUCs annually between September 1 and October 15.
2) Hotel and time sharing units (defined in the Land Use Ordinance Sections 21-101 and 21-5.70-3, respectively).
How can I verify that I am allowed to have a STR?
First check the STR Eligibility Map. If still unsure, you may submit a zoning verification request to request confirmation of a nonconforming status. The cost for a zoning verification (written) is $300. Please indicate under Requesting Additional Information “STR”. Contact (808) 768-8015 for the Land Use Permits Division for any questions.
If the STR License expires, is the license still valid?
Registration will be effective for a period of one year beginning on the date a certificate of registration is issued by the department, and must be renewed annually prior to expiration defined in the Land Use Ordinance Section 21-5.70-3(a)(2). If you have a STR license that has expired, you may apply for a new registration.
Can an STR operator use one registration form to cover multiple units?
No, each eligible unit must be registered separately.
Can I remove my property from the list of properties from the departments registration system so people cannot register my property as a STR?
Yes. The property owner or authorized association may submit a written request to the department to remove their property from the registration system.
Changes to an Owner/Operator of a Valid STR License
What if the owner and/or operator changes under an active license?
Any change in ownership of the subject property or any change in the operator of the bed and breakfast home or transient vacation unit will require a new registration of the bed and breakfast home or transient vacation unit.
Nonconforming Use Certificates
What is a NUC?
“Grandfathered” transient vacation units and bed and breakfast homes that have been in operation since prior to October 22, 1986 and are permitted to operate as STRs.
What's the difference between the new registration for STRs and NUCs? Are they the same?
NUCs were issued under a registration process in the 1980s to allow certain existing STRs to operate as nonconforming uses. The registration process under Ord. 22-7 allows the owners of property in certain areas to establish new STRs, subject to the terms and operating requirements in Ord. 22-7.
When is the renewal period for a NUC?
NUC renewal is between September 1 and October 15 of every year.
What are the requirements to renew a NUC?
- Refer to Ordinance 25-52 to review the list of requirements.
- Review the Informational Guide for NUC Renewals prior to renewing.
- Include an occupancy record with our renewal application. A helpful template is provided.
Are NUCs transferable?
A NUC for a transient vacation unit or bed and breakfast home that has been issued, may be renewed by a new owner, operator, or propietor of the transient vacation unit or bed and breakfast home, so long as the owner, operator, or propietor renews the NUC prior to its expiration.
Where can I find a list of approved NUCs?
What if I have a question about NUCs?
For general questions about NUCs, please email NUC@honolulu.gov.
Tax Payments for STR
As a owner/operator, when and how do I register for taxes?
Any tax related questions should be directed to their respective office:
- General Excise Tax and Transient Accommodations Tax inquiries, should be directed to the State of Hawaii Department of Taxation(opens in a new tab).
- Oahu Transient Accommodations Tax inquiries, should be directed to the City and County of Honolulu Department of Budget and Fiscal Services(opens in a new tab).
Advertisements for STRs and NUCs
What does Ordinance 22-52 require in online advertisements?
- Advertisements for less than 30 day rentals must include the following:
1) STR registration license or NUC number, 2) The tax map key of the property. It is unlawful to advertise a dwelling for a rental period of less than 30 days unless the dwelling is registered or designated as a hotel. - Advertisements for rentals that are not registered or allowed by a NUC must also include the following statement: “this property may not be rented for less than 30 consecutive days. Rental prices will not be reduced or adjusted based on the number of days the rental is actually used or occupied.”
- Hotel and timeshare advertisements must include the tax map key for the property on which the hotel unit or timeshare unit is located.
How do I find my tax map key (TMK)?
Your TMK is identified in your real property tax bill. You may also use the City’s property records search(opens in a new tab) to find your TMK.
Reporting a Violation/Request for Investigation
Where may I file a complaint?
You may submit a complaint online. Include the following information in your report:
- The address of the subject property, including the apartment or unit number;
- All facts that cause the complainant to believe that a violation has occurred;
- The provisions of the Ordinance that the complainant believes are being violated; and
- The complainant’s name, phone number, email and a mailing address for follow-up contact from the department.
- If information provided is lacking and contact information is not provided, inspectors will not be able to proceed with an investigation.
What hours will the city hotline for community tipsters be working? Who will follow up on complaints?
Tipsters can provide information online for follow up by STR inspectors. Personnel are available during City business hours, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
What if I Have Questions?
For general questions, including registration and renewal, please email STR@honolulu.gov or call our STR Enforcement Branch at 768-7887.
Registration as a STR
When did Registration become available and when is the deadline?
Registration became available online at our STR website starting October 24, 2022.
There is no deadline to register.
Who needs to register?
STRs are only permitted in resort-zoned areas, and as shown in Ordinance 25-52. Any owner or operator interested in renting out a unit within the STR-eligible areas for less than 30-days must register each unit to be rented for less than 30 days. Exceptions are:
1) Existing NUC holders do not need to register under the new registration system. Current NUC holders must renew their NUCs annually between September 1 and October 15.
2) Hotel and time sharing units (defined in the Land Use Ordinance Sections 21-101 and 21-5.70-3, respectively).
How can I verify that I am allowed to have a STR?
First check the STR Eligibility Map. If still unsure, you may submit a zoning verification request to request confirmation of a nonconforming status. The cost for a zoning verification (written) is $300. Please indicate under Requesting Additional Information “STR”. Contact (808) 768-8015 for the Land Use Permits Division for any questions.
If the STR License expires, is the license still valid?
Registration will be effective for a period of one year beginning on the date a certificate of registration is issued by the department, and must be renewed annually prior to expiration defined in the Land Use Ordinance Section 21-5.70-3(a)(2). If you have a STR license that has expired, you may apply for a new registration.
Can an STR operator use one registration form to cover multiple units?
No, each eligible unit must be registered separately.
Can I remove my property from the list of properties from the departments registration system so people cannot register my property as a STR?
Yes. The property owner or authorized association may submit a written request to the department to remove their property from the registration system.
Changes to an Owner/Operator of a Valid STR License
What if the owner and/or operator changes under an active license?
Any change in ownership of the subject property or any change in the operator of the bed and breakfast home or transient vacation unit will require a new registration of the bed and breakfast home or transient vacation unit.
Nonconforming Use Certificates
What is a NUC?
“Grandfathered” transient vacation units and bed and breakfast homes that have been in operation since prior to October 22, 1986 and are permitted to operate as STRs.
What's the difference between the new registration for STRs and NUCs? Are they the same?
NUCs were issued under a registration process in the 1980s to allow certain existing STRs to operate as nonconforming uses. The registration process under Ord. 22-7 allows the owners of property in certain areas to establish new STRs, subject to the terms and operating requirements in Ord. 22-7.
When is the renewal period for a NUC?
NUC renewal is between September 1 and October 15 of every year.
What are the requirements to renew a NUC?
- Refer to Ordinance 25-52 to review the list of requirements.
- Review the Informational Guide for NUC Renewals prior to renewing.
- Include an occupancy record with our renewal application. A helpful template is provided.
Are NUCs transferable?
A NUC for a transient vacation unit or bed and breakfast home that has been issued, may be renewed by a new owner, operator, or propietor of the transient vacation unit or bed and breakfast home, so long as the owner, operator, or propietor renews the NUC prior to its expiration.
Where can I find a list of approved NUCs?
What if I have a question about NUCs?
For general questions about NUCs, please email NUC@honolulu.gov.
Tax Payments for STR
As a owner/operator, when and how do I register for taxes?
Any tax related questions should be directed to their respective office:
- General Excise Tax and Transient Accommodations Tax inquiries, should be directed to the State of Hawaii Department of Taxation(opens in a new tab).
- Oahu Transient Accommodations Tax inquiries, should be directed to the City and County of Honolulu Department of Budget and Fiscal Services(opens in a new tab).
Advertisements for STRs and NUCs
What does Ordinance 22-52 require in online advertisements?
- Advertisements for less than 30 day rentals must include the following:
1) STR registration license or NUC number, 2) The tax map key of the property. It is unlawful to advertise a dwelling for a rental period of less than 30 days unless the dwelling is registered or designated as a hotel. - Advertisements for rentals that are not registered or allowed by a NUC must also include the following statement: “this property may not be rented for less than 30 consecutive days. Rental prices will not be reduced or adjusted based on the number of days the rental is actually used or occupied.”
- Hotel and timeshare advertisements must include the tax map key for the property on which the hotel unit or timeshare unit is located.
How do I find my tax map key (TMK)?
Your TMK is identified in your real property tax bill. You may also use the City’s property records search(opens in a new tab) to find your TMK.
Reporting a Violation/Request for Investigation
Where may I file a complaint?
You may submit a complaint online. Include the following information in your report:
- The address of the subject property, including the apartment or unit number;
- All facts that cause the complainant to believe that a violation has occurred;
- The provisions of the Ordinance that the complainant believes are being violated; and
- The complainant’s name, phone number, email and a mailing address for follow-up contact from the department.
- If information provided is lacking and contact information is not provided, inspectors will not be able to proceed with an investigation.
What hours will the city hotline for community tipsters be working? Who will follow up on complaints?
Tipsters can provide information online for follow up by STR inspectors. Personnel are available during City business hours, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
What if I Have Questions?
For general questions, including registration and renewal, please email STR@honolulu.gov or call our STR Enforcement Branch at 768-7887.