City Watch
Short-term rental rules in Lihue, HI
How Lihue regulates short-term rentals: the rules that apply, their sources, and pending changes.
Rules here limit which homes may operate as short-term rentals, how many, where, or for how many nights a year.
- Rentals limited to Visitor Destination Areas
- Inventory frozen outside resort areas
- Nonconforming-use certificate required
- Active enforcement; advertising is prima facie evidence (§8-17.11)
Based on: Kauaʻi County Code Ch.8 Art.17 (TVRs limited to Visitor Destination Areas)
Summary of the rule
Kauaʻi County Code Ch. 8, Article 17 limits transient vacation rentals and time share units/plans to designated Visitor Destination Areas (Poʻipū, Līhuʻe, Wailua-Kapaʻa, Princeville) and hotels in Resort/Commercial districts; single-family TVRs are prohibited in all areas not designated a VDA (historic-register exception aside). 'Except as provided in this Section, time share units, time share plans and transient vacation rentals are prohibited.' This is a zoning SUPPLY constraint (geographic exclusion).
View the ordinance source ↗✓ Verified
Last reviewed Sep 10, 2026 · Sources · Report an error
Pending legislation
Monitoring Lihue · system last checked Oct 25, 2026
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City Watch provides good-faith summaries of publicly available information as of the review date shown. Rules, enforcement, and permit availability can change, and summaries may contain errors or omissions. Ratings describe the general regulatory environment; they do not establish whether a particular property or stay is permitted. This is general information, not legal advice. Before buying, listing, or hosting, verify applicable requirements with the responsible authorities and review any HOA, condominium, deed, or lease restrictions.