Maui County Bill 9 Update - Short-Term Rentals

On October 14, 2025, the Maui County Housing and Land Use Committee met at 10 a.m. to receive the Final Report of the Bill 9 Temporary Investigative Group (TIG) — the culmination of weeks of discussion on the future of Transient Vacation Rentals (TVRs) in Maui’s apartment-zoned districts.

Background

The Bill 9 TIG was formed in August 2025 to examine how phasing out TVR use in A-1 and A-2 Apartment Districts could affect Maui’s housing supply, local economy, and property owners. Led by Councilmember Nohelani Uʻu-Hodgins, the group included Councilmembers Tamara Paltin, Tom Cook, and Shane Sinenci.

Throughout September, the TIG met with planners, economists, real estate professionals, and housing advocates to evaluate both the social and financial implications of a potential phase-out.

Today’s Update

At today’s meeting, the TIG formally presented its Final Report to the Housing and Land Use Committee. One of the key recommendations calls for the creation of two new zoning districts — H-3 and H-4 Hotel Districts — where transient vacation rental uses would be permitted outright.

It’s important to note that this is a recommendation only, not a change in law. The proposal would need to move through multiple layers of legislative and administrative review before becoming official — a process that could take significant time and face potential challenges.

If and when the H-3 and H-4 Hotel Districts are created, the TIG recommends that the Apartment-Zoned properties listed in Exhibit 2 (see below) be rezoned accordingly and stay short-term rental. These properties represent roughly 4,500 individual units across Maui County. 

The County Council is expected to meet again to address Bill 9 and the TIG’s recommendations, tentatively scheduled for November 7, 2025 — although that date has not yet been added to the official County calendar.

The TIG report acknowledges that phasing out TVRs could increase housing opportunities for Maui residents but may also affect tax revenue, tourism, and property values. The report also highlights the delicate balance between creating more long-term housing and maintaining the economic health of the visitor industry.

For owners of condos operating as short-term rentals in apartment-zoned areas, this update is significant. Depending on how Bill 9 evolves, some properties may remain eligible for short-term use through rezoning, while others could transition to long-term residential use. **It should be noted that there are properties in existing hotel zonings and other zonings that would not be impacted by Bill 9. Bill 9 is only pertaining to apartment-zoned short term rental properties.**

What’s Next

The TIG has officially dissolved following the submission of its report, but its recommendations will guide the County Council’s next steps. As Maui continues to navigate the post-wildfire housing landscape, the outcomes of Bill 9 could reshape both real estate investment and housing opportunities islandwide.

Staying informed — and working with a real estate professional who understands these policy shifts — will be key as the process moves forward.

Heidi Dollinger, R(B)

Island Sotheby's International Realty

808-359-4245