Committee forwards Bill 175 to move vacation‑rental registrations to planning, adds grace period

The Hawaii County Policy Committee on Planning, Land Use and Economic Development voted July 22 to forward Bill 175 to the full council with a favorable recommendation, approving the measure by voice vote with nine ayes.

Council member Heather Kimball, the bill’s introducer, told the committee the amendment moves the registration process for short‑term vacation rentals from the finance director to the planning director, exempts properties that have already submitted valid use or special permit applications from needing a second registration under forthcoming zoning changes, and requires fees collected be deposited into the Short Term Vacation Rental Enforcement Fund. "This non‑codified section would ensure that folks that had submitted an application for a special permit under the current bed and breakfast laws would be considered deemed registered," Kimball said, explaining the change is intended to prevent applicants from having to refile after new zoning rules take effect.

Planning Director Jeff Darrow described how the ordinance would work operationally: the county will open a registration portal on Sept. 1 and provide a four‑month grace period through Dec. 31 during which the director may waive enforcement penalties while staff review registrations. Darrow said applicants would receive a conditionally approved registration number upon submission that they may use for advertising while the department verifies land‑use, building‑permit, and other requirements. "That number, they will be able to utilize for advertising on the hosting platforms," Darrow said.

Committee members asked about coordination with finance, tax compliance and enforcement tools; Darrow said the planning department will house most registration work while finance remains involved for tax reporting and compliance (GET and TAT). Kimball said the measure contains some editorial fixes that will be corrected at first reading, and requested staff share the RFP for the vendor platform before the next committee meeting so members can review the features requested. The committee’s vote sends Bill 175 to the council for first reading.