What You Need to Know About O‘ahu’s Short-Term Rental Rules
Kirsten Connell September 10, 2025
Kirsten Connell September 10, 2025
The rules around short-term rentals (STRs) on O‘ahu have been a moving target over the last several years. From shifting ordinances to federal court rulings, it can feel overwhelming to keep up. Here’s a clear breakdown of what’s happened — and what it means for homeowners and prospective buyers.
June 2019: Ordinance 19-18 was enacted, defining “transient vacation units” as rentals of less than 30 days. This set a 30-day minimum stay as the legal standard.
April 2022: Ordinance 22-7 passed, seeking to increase the minimum rental period to 90 days.
December 2023: A federal court issued a permanent injunction against enforcing the 90-day rule, requiring that rentals operating under the 30-day minimum before 2022 be allowed to continue.
May 2024: State Senate Bill 2919 (Act 17) granted counties more authority to phase out nonconforming uses in residential and agriculture zones.
September 2025: County Bill 62 (Ordinance 25-2) passed. An attempt to restore the 30-day minimum was removed before final approval, so the 90-day minimum remains in effect moving forward.
The City can only enforce Ordinance 22-7 prospectively. In other words, they cannot retroactively apply the 90-day minimum to rentals that were already operating under the 30-day rule before 2022.
Pre-existing STRs are “nonconforming uses.” These can continue at 30-day minimums, but new STRs must comply with the 90-day rule.
For the City’s Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) to enforce the 90-day rule retroactively, they would need to identify historic rental practices for all STRs prior to 2022 — a process requiring substantial resources and sparking more zoning appeals.
The DPP has publicly stated it will continue to enforce the rule against rentals of less than 30 consecutive days across the board.
If you’re considering buying or selling property on O‘ahu, it’s critical to understand these nuances. The short-term rental landscape continues to evolve, and compliance depends heavily on when a property began its STR operations.
Our team stays on top of these changes so our clients have the most accurate, up-to-date information when making decisions. If you’re wondering how these rules impact your property value, investment strategy, or future purchase, we’re here to help.
Thinking of buying, selling, or investing on O‘ahu? Let’s talk through your options.
Stay up to date on the latest real estate trends.
From shifting ordinances to federal rulings, here’s a clear breakdown of how today’s laws affect homeowners, buyers, and investors.
Where to Watch Fireworks and Celebrate the 4th of July on Oʻahu – Events, Music, BBQ & More
From snorkeling with sea turtles to dancing at a luau—discover the top adventures and cultural experiences that make Oʻahu a summer dream destination.
Celebrating Dad, Oʻahu-style: bold flavors, big waves, and legendary memories.
Why the 2025 Housing Market Isn’t Crashing—And What Real Estate Pros Should Know
A Comprehensive Guide to the Home Appraisal Process for Hawaii Homebuyers and Sellers
The right realtor makes all the difference—ask these key questions before making your decision.
Hawaii Property Ownership: The Difference Between Fee Simple and Leasehold
We have 10 years of professional real estate experience. We love to help families, veterans and first time home buyers buy and sell. We both relocated to Oahu with our fur babies, to follow our dreams and live the Hawaii livestyle. Both of our families have deep roots in real estate, providing us strong real estate foundations.