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Lahaina, HI

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STR Regulations for Lahaina, Hawaii

Executive overview

  • Are STRs allowed in Lahaina? Yes—subject to Maui County rules and the property’s zoning. Two pathways are active today:
    • Bed & Breakfast (B&B) home permits (owner-hosted, small scale).
    • Hotel-zoned short-term rental condominiums (longstanding legal rights under the “Minatoya” framework).
  • Residential apartment-zoned STR condos remain in legal operation as of late 2025, but Maui County has advanced Bill 9 to phase out roughly 7,000 apartment-zoned STR units island-wide (including West and South Maui), with a potential phase-out timeline culminating around 2030. The bill remains pending before the full County Council, and exemptions for certain resort zones are under discussion. Investors should monitor council action closely.
  • New construction: A moratorium (Bill 159) is in place that prevents the development of new STR condominium projects.
  • Statewide: Hawaii delegates STR regulation to counties. A state law enacted in 2024 (SB 2919) explicitly authorizes counties to amortize/phase out transient accommodations in residential or agricultural zones—providing the legal basis for Maui’s proposed phase-out.

How to start a short-term rental business in Lahaina

  1. Confirm zoning and permitted use
  • Identify whether the subject property is in a Hotel zoned condominium project (operates as a STR by right) or whether it is a single-family home that could qualify for a B&B permit.
  • If you are pursuing an apartment-zoned STR condo: confirm current legal status and consider Bill 9 exposure; hotel-zoned projects are not subject to Bill 9.
  • Verify any condo association rules that govern transient rentals (occupancy, registration, amenities, front desk requirements, etc.). Association docs are provided in escrow.
  1. Secure required state tax licenses
  • Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) license: file with Hawaii Department of Taxation. Fee: $5 for 1–5 units; $15 for 6+ units. This must be obtained before applying for a County B&B permit.
  • General Excise Tax (GET) license: file with Hawaii Department of Taxation. Fee: $15.
  1. Complete County permitting (if applicable)
  • For a B&B home: submit a B&B permit application through Maui County’s Planning Department. Owner or permanent resident must be on-site during guest stays.
  • For hotel-zoned STR condos: no County STR permit is required; operation relies on the legal rights inherent in the zoning (Minatoya/TVR history). Confirm the project is truly hotel zoned and consult the association’s rental policies.
  1. Prepare required documentation and inspections
  • See the “Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines” section below.
  • Note: County B&B permits require a Planning Department inspection and certification of compliance; permitting is subject to caps per Community Plan Region.
  1. Designate an on-island contact (recommended)
  • State/professional practice standards typically expect a local contact to handle guest issues and emergencies for properties not owner-occupied on-site. This can be a property manager, a cleaner, or another trusted service provider.
  1. Ongoing compliance
  • Maintain $1,000,000 in general liability coverage for the STR operation.
  • Collect and remit TAT and GET from guests. Counties may also assess GET surcharges and certain tax administration fees.
  • Monitor County Council and Planning Commission actions on Bill 9 and any future ordinances. If you are in an apartment-zoned STR, anticipate potential phase-out/transition requirements by 2030 unless exemptions apply.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines State-level (mandatory for any Hawaii STR)

  • TAT license (Transient Accommodations Tax): $5 (1–5 units) or $15 (6+ units); no renewal required once issued.
  • GET license (General Excise Tax): $15; no renewal required once issued.

County-level (Maui)

  • B&B home permit (BBHA, BBKM, BBLA, BBMO, BBMP, BBPH, BBWK, BBWM) if operating an owner-hosted B&B:
    • Application via Planning Administration/Current Planning Division.
    • Owner must live on-site; in some cases a resident manager may substitute.
    • Requires Planning Department inspection and a certification of compliance form.
    • Permits are subject to caps per Community Plan Region.
    • Annual or periodic renewals apply (check current County practice).
  • Hotel-zoned STR condos: no County STR permit is required for legal operations today. Operation is conditioned on the property’s legal hotel zoning and the project’s allowed transient use. Confirm association rules and any County compliance reporting.
  • Apartment-zoned STR condos: currently operate under prior legal framework; Bill 9 would phase out these rights island-wide (potentially by 2030) and therefore affects many West Maui complexes (including Lahaina-area projects). Monitor.

Documentation typically required for County B&B permits

  • Owner identification and proof of ownership.
  • Tax Map Key (TMK) for the subject property.
  • Site and floor plans identifying bedrooms, parking, exits, and safety features.
  • List of owners and lessees within 500 feet (public notice requirement).
  • Planning Department inspection report and signed certification of compliance.
  • State TAT and GET licenses.
  • Proof of insurance (general liability coverage, commonly $1,000,000).
  • Any applicable application and renewal fees (see Planning for current amounts).

Specific regulations in Lahaina, Maui County, and Hawaii Lahaina-specific considerations

  • Lahaina is located within West Maui. As of late 2025:
    • Hotel-zoned STR condos remain legal and are not part of Bill 9’s phase-out.
    • Apartment-zoned STR condos can continue operating today, but are the primary targets of Bill 9. If adopted, the bill would phase out these units, with a final island-wide deadline of 2030. Exemptions for certain resort areas are being debated but have not been finalized.
    • New STR condo developments are subject to the moratorium (Bill 159).

Maui County (island-wide)

  • Permit pathways:
    • Bed & Breakfast Homes (owner-hosted) are permitted subject to caps per Community Plan Region and require County permits and inspections.
    • Short-Term Rental Homes (STRHs) are a separate permitting path for single-family dwellings with designated managers; these are also capped by region.
    • Hotel-zoned STR condos: operate without County STR permits but remain subject to project association rules and county-wide zoning enforcement.
    • Transient Vacation Rentals (TVRs): historically recognized within apartment-zoned projects (Minatoya); these are now at risk under Bill 9.
  • Ordinance baseline:
    • Ordinance 5300 (effective November 26, 2021) amended Chapters 19.64 (B&B) and 19.65 (STRH) and sets the current regulatory framework for B&B and STRH permits.
    • Bill 9 (2025) is advancing through County Council to phase out apartment-zoned STRs island-wide; implementation would occur over several years, with final deadlines around 2030 if enacted.
  • Taxes:
    • State TAT: 10.25% on gross transient accommodation income.
    • State GET: 4% statewide.
    • Maui County GET surcharge: currently 0.50% (subject to change).
    • Transient accommodation tax administration fees may apply.

State of Hawaii

  • State defines transient accommodations as lodging provided for fewer than 180 consecutive days per letting.
  • SB 2919 (2024) empowers counties to regulate the time, place, manner, and duration of STRs and to amortize or phase out transient accommodation uses in residential or agricultural zones—forming the legal basis for Maui’s proposed phase-out of apartment-zoned STRs.

Key contacts and offices (STR oversight in Maui) County of Maui – Planning Administration

  • Phone: (808) 270-7735
  • Fax: (808) 270-1775
  • Physical address:
    • Current Planning Division
    • 2200 Main Street, Suite 619
    • One Main Plaza Building
    • Wailuku, HI 96793
  • Mailing:
    • County of Maui, Planning Department
    • 200 S. High St., Kalana O Maui Bldg., 2nd Floor Lobby
    • Wailuku, HI 96793
  • Main STR program landing page: Maui County – Short Term Rentals (see source below)

Hawaii Department of Taxation (GET/TAT licenses)

  • Phone: (808) 587-4242
  • Website: Hawaii Department of Taxation (see source below)
  • TAT and GET licenses can be obtained online through Tax Online; no renewal is required once issued. TAT fees: $5 (1–5 units) or $15 (6+ units); GET fee: $15.

Notes for investors

  • Association rules matter: Before purchasing, obtain and review the condo association’s rental rules, occupancy limits, registration requirements, and amenity policies.
  • Insurance: Maintain at least $1,000,000 in general liability coverage. Confirm carrier appetite for STR risk and compliance with any County requirements.
  • Due diligence on zoning: Ensure any “STR” representation matches actual legal status (hotel vs apartment zone). If an apartment-zoned project is on Maui, factor in Bill 9 exposure and the ongoing moratorium on new STR condo construction.
  • Pending legislation risk: Bill 9 is not yet law. The final Council vote could include exemptions and phase-in schedules. Stay engaged in the process and structure deals with appropriate contingencies.

Source pages (reference)

This guide is current as of late 2025 and reflects publicly available County and State sources. Maui County’s proposed phase-out (Bill 9) remains pending and subject to change. Always verify current requirements directly with the Planning Department or a qualified Hawaii real estate attorney before acquisition or operation.

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Lahaina

Market Saturation Score

036912
High Saturation
8/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
8–10 declining months: high saturation - supply likely outpacing demand.
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Photos of Lahaina

Overview of Lahaina

Lahaina is a historic coastal town on the western shore of Maui, Hawaii's second-largest island, situated within Maui County. With a population of roughly 13,000, Lahaina carries a relaxed island character shaped by its whaling-era past, its former role as the capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom from 1820 to 1845, and its position along one of Maui's most scenic coastlines. The town serves as a gateway to West Maui's resort beaches, including Kaanapali and Kapalua, and as a launching point for whale watching, snorkeling, and sunset cruises during the winter months. Lahaina lies approximately 100 miles across the channel from Honolulu, with most visitors arriving by a short flight into Kahului and then driving west for about 30 to 45 minutes.

Front Street, Lahaina's historic main thoroughfare paralleling the ocean, has long been the town's social and commercial heart, lined with art galleries, restaurants, and historic sites beneath a canopy of mature trees. The street is anchored by the Lahaina Banyan Tree, a sprawling Indian banyan planted in 1873 that shades nearly an acre of the surrounding park. A walk of just a few minutes from most points in town reaches this corridor, which lies within the Lahaina Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Just a few miles north of Lahaina, Kaanapali Beach stretches about three miles of golden sand and is consistently ranked among the world's top beaches, famous for its daily cliff-diving ceremony at Puu Kekaa (Black Rock) and its clear, swim-friendly water. Kaanapali is a hub of resort activity roughly 10 minutes from Lahaina's center, while the Kapalua area another 20 minutes further north adds luxury resorts, golf courses, and quieter bays like Napili Bay.

A short drive inland and slightly south of Lahaina leads to Iao Valley State Park, a lush rainforest valley about 30 to 40 minutes away, where the 1,200-foot Iao Needle rises from a verdant floor once sacred to Hawaiian chiefs. For a longer day trip, Haleakala National Park lies roughly 1.5 to 2 hours east by car, drawing visitors to its massive summit crater for sunrise and rare high-elevation hikes. Closer to home, the waters just offshore host seasonal humpback whale watching from December through April, with tours departing from Lahaina Harbor.

Lahaina's enduring appeal for short-term rentals lies in its unique blend of deep Hawaiian history, walkable small-town scale, and direct access to some of Maui's most celebrated beaches and outdoor landscapes. The town's compact footprint keeps nearly every amenity, restaurant, and ocean viewpoint within an easy stroll, while its central West Maui position places the island's full range of experiences—snorkeling coves, rainforest valleys, and the towering Haleakala crater—within a day's reach. Even as the community works to rebuild following the August 2023 wildfires, Lahaina's geographic advantages and cultural roots continue to anchor it as one of Hawaii's most recognizable destinations for travelers seeking an authentic Maui experience.

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