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Rent Control Laws in Hawaii

Hawaii state law gives each county the power to regulate the renting, subletting and rental conditions of homes by ordinance (HRS 46-1.5(20)).

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Hawaii at a glance

Local rent control banned
No, counties may regulate rentals
HRS 46-1.5(20) gives each county power to regulate the renting, subletting and rental conditions of places of abode by ordinance.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Hawaii

Does Hawaii law ban cities from adopting rent control?

No, counties may regulate rentals. Local rent control banned in Hawaii: no, counties may regulate rentals. HRS 46-1.5(20) gives each county power to regulate the renting, subletting and rental conditions of places of abode by ordinance.

Where do the Hawaii rent control laws come from?

The rules above come from Haw. Rev. Stat. 46-1.5(20). Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

Even where there is no rent control, a landlord usually cannot raise the rent during a fixed-term lease unless the lease allows it. Increases normally take effect at renewal or after written notice for a month-to-month tenancy, and notice periods are set by state law.

Rent caps and rent stabilization rules commonly have exemptions, such as buildings built in recent years, owner-occupied duplexes, or units owned by individuals rather than companies. A unit can sit in a covered city and still be exempt, so read the coverage section of the law closely.

Local rent control ordinances change through ballot measures and council votes more often than state law does. If you rent or own property in a city that regulates rent, check the city or county housing department for the current allowable increase and any registration requirements.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.