Big Island Ordinance 25-50
Hawaiʻi County TVR Registration: What Owners Need to Know
Last Updated: September 21, 2026
Ordinance 25-50 is now in effect, establishing new registration requirements for applicable Transient Vacation Rentals (TVRs) in Hawaiʻi County.
Bill 175 has also been approved, providing an enforcement extension through December 31, 2026. This gives owners additional time to complete the registration process, but owners should use this period to become compliant rather than wait until the end of the extension.
The County uses the term TVR for a dwelling, dwelling unit, or room rented for fewer than 180 consecutive days.
The County generally distinguishes between two types:
| Initial Registration | Annual Renewal | |
|---|---|---|
| Hosted TVR / B&B | $250 | $100 |
| Unhosted TVR / STVR | $500 | $250 |
Not necessarily.
Owners with existing registrations or permits should continue keeping those approvals current and follow the County's requirements for updating ownership or other information.
Certain existing TVRs with valid permits or approvals in place before September 1 are deemed registered under the new law. This includes:
The County will provide confirmation and a new unified TVR registration number directly to owners/operators whose properties are deemed registered.
The County is still working through the implementation of this process, including notifications to owners. If you have not received a communication from the County, that does not necessarily mean a new application is required.
If you receive confirmation and a new unified TVR registration number, please forward it to vrsupport@gathervacations.com and cc your Property Manager so we can update our records.
Hawaiʻi County Planning can confirm it directly at planning@hawaiicounty.gov or (808) 323-4770. Please provide the property address and TMK.
Owners completing a new registration should be prepared to provide:
Registration is not a zoning approval or operating permit.
If a property is not legally authorized to operate as an unhosted TVR, completing the registration application does not make the rental legal. Owners should confirm that their property's zoning, permits, and existing approvals support the rental activity.
Owners are responsible for submitting their registration directly through the County's registration portal.
Gather does not submit registration applications on behalf of owners.
If your property does not have a qualifying existing registration or approval, the County's new TVR registration process is now available online.
Please retain your County registration number once your registration is completed, as it will be required for your property's vacation-rental advertising.
Owners who prefer professional assistance may contact Kern Inaba & Associates, which is offering TVR registration services for $1,500 plus the $500 County filing fee. Additional fees may apply for site/floor plan preparation or a required site visit. Annual renewal assistance is also available for existing conforming TVRs at $250 plus the applicable County filing fee.
This service is optional, and owners may complete the County registration process independently.
Please contact your Property Manager with questions about how the new requirements may affect your property.
⚠️ Critical Compliance Disclaimer for Homeowners:
Important Notice: Managing and maintaining county registrations, Non-Conforming Use Certificates (NUCs), permit applications, and all associated municipal fees remains the sole responsibility of the individual homeowner. Gather does not provide registration, permitting, or regulatory filing as a service. Homeowners must personally complete their applications and pay the required fees directly to the county through the upcoming portal to remain legally compliant.