Kauai, HI

When deciding whether to become an Airbnb Host, it's important for you to understand the laws in the County of Kauai. As a platform and marketplace, we don't provide legal advice, but we want to give you some useful links and information that may help you get familiar with the new rules. If you have more questions after reviewing these resources, we recommend visiting Kauai’s website, contacting Kauai’s licensing agencies directly, and/or consulting a local lawyer or tax professional.

Registration requirements

Anyone listing on Airbnb who hosts short-term stays (fewer than 180 consecutive nights) on Airbnb in Kauai is required to add their Tax Map Key (TMK), and Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) numbers, to the Regulations tab on their hosting page.

Step 1: Check your eligibility

The County of Kauai only allows properties in certain zones or with valid non-conforming use certificates (NUCs)  to host short-term rentals. If you do not know whether you are in a legally compliant zone or whether your property has an NUC, you can call the Planning Department at (808) 241-4050 or email at planningdepartment@kauai.gov. It will speed the process if you provide the Planning Department staff with your TMK when you contact them.  

If one or more of your properties are not eligible as a short-term rental, you can switch to long-term stays. Simply change your calendar to only accept reservations of 180 nights or more.

Step 2: Add your Tax Map Key (TMK) number to your listing

Next, you’ll need to add your TMK  number to your Airbnb listing. The TMK is a 12-digit tax number.  If you need assistance in locating your TMK, you can visit this website.

Step 3: Add your Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT) number to your listing

Next, you’ll need to add your TAT number to your Airbnb listing.

Exemptions

If you are a Host of a hotel, motel or BnB, claim an exemption on your listing in the Regulations tab.

Other rules

It's also important to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo board or co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable.

Our commitment to your community

We’re committed to working with local officials to clarify how local rules impact the short-term rental community. We will continue to advocate for changes that will enable people to share their homes.