Advocacy

Bill 147 Deferred Until July 16 (Hawaii County Short Term Rentals)

By Lance Owens · July 1, 2026 · 4 min read

The July update on the deferral, public testimony, and the upcoming Planning Commission hearing.

Bill 147 Deferred Until July 16 (Hawaii County Short Term Rentals) cover image

The Hawaiʻi County Leeward Planning Commission has deferred action on Bill 147, relating to Transient Vacation Rentals, until the July 16 hearing.

After you read below I encourage you to visit my July 17th Update - HERE

Bill 147 deals with updates to the County’s zoning code and how it applies to TVRs, STVRs, and B&B operations. Because this bill touches zoning, registration, enforcement, existing NUCs, operational standards, and where certain vacation rentals may be allowed, it is worth paying attention to.

What stood out to me during today’s hearing was how the positions moved in different directions depending on the testimony being presented.

That is exactly why public testimony matters.

These meetings are not just procedural. They are where decision-makers hear how proposed changes may affect property owners, operators, neighbors, real estate professionals, and the broader community.

Whether you support Bill 147, oppose it, or believe changes should be made before it moves forward, the July 16 hearing is the time to show up, listen, and provide testimony.

Heather Kimball specifically asked the leeward planning committee for its input on RM-Zoning and how they want it dealt with in this bill, RM zoning has many different variations but its related to "Multiple-Family Residential District"

Public input matters, and decisions like this are better when the Commission hears from the people who will be affected by them.

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Copy of Bill 147 https://files.constantcontact.com/b42863ab001/08f55aea-bd5c-4846-85d9-c5d5e320c6b1.pdf?rdr=true

If you have 4 hours to kill, here is todays special meeting

Open meeting video ↗

The County provided the following explanation of Bill 147 below:

Bill 147 relating to Transient Vacation Rentals (TVRs) Explained Objective: To align Chapter 25 of the Hawaii County Code (zoning code) with the TVR Registration ordinance (Ord 25-50) and the practices of the Planning Department. To simplify and update the B&B and STVR code language. To clarify the standards of operation for TVRs and fines relating to TVRs. Section 1. Moves the STVR enforcement fund from Chapter 25 to Chapter 2 which is administratively the appropriate location in the code for funds of this nature. Section 2. Removes the current definitions of B&B and STVRs Section 3. Provides new definitions of B&B (hosted-TVR) and STVR (unhosted-TVR). Brings in the definition of TVR from Ordinance 25-50 with clarified language. Established less than 180 days as the rental period for STVRs and B&B. Limit STVRs and B&Bs to 5 or fewer bedrooms for rent.* A facility with more than five bedrooms for rent is considered a hotel or lodge Section 4. Updates the definition of a reachable person Section 5. Inserts language in the administrative portion of Chapter 25 relating to enforcement, including fines for violations of Chapter 25 relating to TVRs and the prima facie evidence that can be used for enforcement. Section 6. Repeals the current language in Chapter 25 that relates to B&Bs and STVRs Section 7. Creates the new language for SVRs: 1. Removes the requirement for a use permit for a B&B in RA, RA, FA and A zoning districts in state land use Urban and Rural. Retains the special permit requirement in State Land Use Agriculture. Prohibits STVRs in “additional farm dwellings” and establishes that the host must reside in a “farm dwelling” pursuant to state law.* **State Law requires that someone with ties to farm activities reside in a farm dwelling. In subdivisions created prior to 1976 the first dwelling is a single-family dwelling, not a farm dwelling. 2. Adds CN and CDH zoning districts to the areas where STVRs are permitted. Clarifies that in multifamily dwellings a CPR is required for an STVR. 3. Honors existing NUCs for STVRs that were grandfathered under Bill 108 4. Links failure to register an STVR to revocation of the NUC 5. Allow STVRs with a NUC to add up bedrooms without invalidating the NUC, up to five bedrooms. 6. Establishes the owner and host as jointly responsible for code compliance. 7. Establishes that conditions of use or special use permit over-ride the standards of operation, for example the ability to hold an event with a special use permit would over-ride the prohibition in the operation standards. 8. Provides the operational standards for STVRs for management, good neighbor policy and advertising and signage. This includes expectations for hosts (B&B) and reachable people (STVR), renter and guest limits, special events and services, quiet hours, parking, and advertising requirements. Sections 8-21: Edit the existing parts of Chapter 25 to align with the changes made in the previous sections of the bill.

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Bill 147: Why Remove Bed & Breakfasts From CN Zoning?