What zoning rules apply to STRs in Waipahu?

Waipahu is essentially a 'No-STR' zone for new operators as it lacks resort zoning.

What zoning rules apply to STRs in Waipahu?

The 30-day minimum stay rule is transitioning to a 90-day minimum in late 2025 for unpermitted rentals in residential zones.

What violations should Waipahu hosts avoid?

Advertising a rental for less than 30 days without a permit number is an automatic violation with heavy fines.

What should Waipahu hosts know about one off-street parking stall is?

One off-street parking stall is required per guest room.

Are there rental limits in Waipahu?

B&B permits are limited to one per individual and require the host to live on-site.

Waipahu, HI Short-Term Rental Regulations and Compliance Gu…

Baseline Verification

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Verified: Feb 6, 2026

Summary

Short-term rentals (stays under 30 days, or 90 days starting late 2025) are prohibited in residential neighborhoods like Waipahu unless the property holds a legacy Nonconforming Use Certificate (NUC).

Restriction Level

🚫

Prohibited

Score: 100 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Residential STRs prohibited
•Primary residence required
•Owner-occupied required
•Host presence required (hosted-only)
•Long minimum stay: 30 nights
•High permit fee: $1000
•Limited to 1 property per owner
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required

In Plain English

You generally cannot start a new short-term rental in Waipahu because it is a residential area and the city only issues new permits for resort zones. In residential zones, any rental must be for at least 30 consecutive days (increasing to 90 days in September 2025), and operating an unauthorized short-term rental can lead to fines of up to $10,000 per day.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

365/year

Primary Residence

Required

Total Tax Rate

0.2%

Permit Fee

$1,000

Processing Time

3-6 months

Max Fine

$10,000

5 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Waipahu is essentially a 'No-STR' zone for new operators as it lacks resort zoning.
2.The 30-day minimum stay rule is transitioning to a 90-day minimum in late 2025 for unpermitted rentals in residential zones.
3.Advertising a rental for less than 30 days without a permit number is an automatic violation with heavy fines.
4.One off-street parking stall is required per guest room.
5.B&B permits are limited to one per individual and require the host to live on-site.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(8)

•Waipahu requires that the property be the host's primary residence. Primary residence is defined as: Bed and Breakfast (B&B) rentals require the property to be the primary residence of the owner or a full-time resident manager who is present during stays.
•Waipahu allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Condo, Townhouse.

Requirements(13)

•Waipahu requires STR registration. The permit is called "Short-Term Rental Registration". Apply through Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP). Processing time: 3-6 months. Renewal is required.
•Waipahu: You must display your permit/registration number on your Airbnb listing.

Application Process(8)

•Waipahu extended permit requirement: Biennial renewal fee; a 2.35% City Service Fee is applied to all registration and renewal payments.

Fees & Costs(1)

•Waipahu charges a registration fee of $1000 (one_time). Extended/additional fee: $500 (Biennial renewal fee; a 2.35% City Service Fee is applied to all registration and renewal payments.).

Taxes(2)

•Waipahu charges a Transient Accommodations Tax (State TAT + Oahu TAT) of 0.1325%. This applies to stays under 180 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Platforms may collect tax, but the owner must still be registered and is ultimately responsible for ensuring full payment.
•Hawaii has a state sales tax of 0.045% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & Restrictions(8)

•Waipahu requires a minimum stay of 30 nights.
•Waipahu: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
•Waipahu: B&B permits are limited to one per individual and require the host to live on-site.
•Waipahu limits STRs to 365 nights per year. This applies to all rentals.
•Waipahu enforces quiet hours: 10pm-8am.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Waipahu requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Quiet hours must be posted, Trash disposal rules must be posted, 24/7 on-island contact person required.

Penalties(3)

•Waipahu: Advertising a rental for less than 30 days without a permit number is an automatic violation with heavy fines.
•Waipahu enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $1000. Second offense: $5000. Third offense: $10000. Daily fine: $10000. Maximum fine: 10000. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions(2)

•Waipahu: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•Waipahu exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), Legacy Nonconforming Use Certificate (NUC) holders, Hotel-zoned properties.

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Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Other Hawaii Markets

Kauai County

Hawaii

Moderate

Short-term rentals in Kauai are strictly limited to Visitor Destination Areas (VDAs). Operating outside these areas is prohibited unless the property holds a pre-existing Non-Conforming Use Certificate (NUC) that has been continuously renewed.

Permit required

0.2% total tax

Honolulu

Hawaii

Prohibited

Short-term rentals in Honolulu are strictly limited to properties in Resort-zoned areas or those with a valid Nonconforming Use Certificate (NUC). For most residential areas, a 30-day minimum stay is required, and any stay less than 30 days is prohibited without a specific B&B or TVU registration.

Permit requiredPrimary residence

0.2% total tax

Hawaii County

Hawaii

Prohibited

Hawaii County strictly regulates Short-Term Vacation Rentals (STVRs) to specific resort and commercial zones; new STRs are generally prohibited in residential and agricultural zones. Hosts must register with the Planning Department, pay a one-time $500 fee, and remit a local 3% HCTAT in addition to State TAT and GET taxes.

Permit required

0.2% total tax

Maui County

Hawaii

Moderate

Short-term rentals in unincorporated Maui County are strictly controlled via a permitting system with hard caps on the number of permits available per geographic area. Most residential areas require a Short-Term Rental Home (STRH) permit, while accessory dwelling units (Ohana units) are generally prohibited from being used as STRs.

Permit required

0.2% total tax

Waipahu

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

5 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(8)

Requirements(13)

Application Process(8)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(8)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(3)

Exemptions(2)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other Hawaii Markets

Kauai County

Honolulu

Hawaii County

Maui County

Waipahu

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

5 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Waipahu?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Waipahu?

3Are there rental night limits in Waipahu?

4What are the penalties for non-compliance in Waipahu?

Related Content

Other Hawaii Markets

Kauai County

Honolulu

Hawaii County

Maui County