Crackdown on Illegal Vacation Rentals Sought

West Maui Councilmember Elle Cochran is advocating for an amendment that would crack down on the operators of illegal vacation rentals on Maui.

The council on Friday will consider Bill 43 (2016), relating to short-term rental homes, which includes a Cochran-supported provision.   The provision would make illegal operators ineligible to apply for a permit for five years if they do not come into compliance within the six month grace period that is also provided within the bill.

“These operators know they are breaking the law and they are taking advantage of the system and the understaffed county departments tasked with enforcement of the law,” Cochran said in a statement. “They continue to operate illegally because of the county’s lack of a strong enforcement tool. This amendment provides the ‘hammer’ that is needed,” she said.

The item is one of two Cochran has identified in her effort to support the availability of housing for residents.  The other is opposition to use of the affordable housing fund for the installation of solar panels on a housing project in West Maui.

Cochran said she welcomes testimony referencing Bill 43 for the short-term rental homes legislation. Testimony may be emailed to [email protected].