Hawaii is imposing more regulations on short-term rentals, allowing each county to set their own rules when it comes to these homes.
The law, Senate Bill 2919, was signed by Gov. Josh Green on Friday and allows counties to ensure short-term vacation rentals are not allowed in areas the local community does not want them. The law comes after devastating wildfires swept through Maui last year, which intensified the need for housing.
With the new law, counties can “control the time, place, manner, and duration of land uses, particularly [with] transient accommodations including short-term rentals,” according to the governor’s office. Counties in Hawaii will now be allowed to tax and regulate short-term rentals just like hotels and designate them as a non-residential use for zoning purposes, or restrict them altogether, according to the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA).
Already, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen announced plans to eliminate about 7,000 vacation rentals, including 2,200 in West Maui, Hawaii News Now reported.
Hawaii isn’t the only destination looking to crack down on short-term vacation rentals.