New vacation rental fines for unpermitted transient vacation rentals on Maui take effect today, Dec. 27, 2019.

Section 13-10 of the County Charter was updated after the 2018 election, to specifically state, “the penalty for the operation of a transient accommodation without a necessary permit shall not exceed a civil fine of $20,000 plus $10,000 per day for each day the unlawful operation persists, unless a higher fine is authorized by State law.”

The prior version of the Charter limited penalties to $1,000 initial and $1,000 per day.

In addition, the Maui County Code was updated on Oct. 7, 2019 by Ordinance No. 5001 to be consistent with the Charter Amendment.

The amended Rules for Administrative Procedures and Civil Fines for Violations of Chapter 16.13 and Title 19 of the Maui County Code are the last step in implementing the new fines. Some minor procedural changes are also included in the adopted amendments. The new rules are online at the Planning Department’s homepage.

“We are pleased to finally be able to implement the community’s wishes with imposing these higher fines on illegal vacation rentals,” said Maui Mayor Michael Victorino. “Enforcement of these illegal operations is an ongoing challenge in Maui County, and worldwide. These higher fines should be an effective deterrent and will be one more tool in our toolbox as we continue our enforcement efforts.”

Short-Term Rental Home graphic. Maui Now graphic.