Honolulu mayor signs new law to regulate vacation rentals
Published:Wednesday | June 26, 2019 | 1:00 PM
HONOLULU (AP) — Honolulu’s mayor has signed a bill giving the city stronger tools to regulate vacation rentals and their operators, a report said.
Democrat Kirk Caldwell signed the bill Tuesday to allow permits for about 1,700 hosted bed-and-breakfast establishments beginning in October 2020, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported.
The Honolulu City Council voted 9-0 to pass the bill June 17.
The new law does not offer additional permits for more prevalent and profitable whole home transient vacation units.
Caldwell vetoed a separate measure to crack down on thousands of illegal vacation rentals without offering a path for them to become legal.
Honolulu stopped issuing new permits for vacation rentals in 1989, leaving 816 legal rentals outside resort zones.
The city planning and permitting department estimates there are 6,000 to 8,000 illegal vacation rentals on Oahu.
We want to hear from you! Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169, email us at editors@gleanerjm.com or onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com.