Frequently Asked Questions from KAUAI Vacation Rental Owners

Regarding the new Kaua`i Transient Vacation Rental Registration Law Ordinance No. 864 (Bill 2204)

 How can we determine if our home is in a Visitor Destination Area VDA?  [Ans.] TVR Registration applies to any Kauai vacation rental owner whether you are in a VDA or non VDA area.

What is the deadline for registering or submitting my vacation rental that is already in VDA?

[Ans.] September 3, 2008

My vacation rental is in a non Visitor Destination Area. What is my deadline for obtaining a Non-conforming Use Certificate? 

[Ans.] March 30, 2009
Note: This specific instruction is directly quoted from the Planning Dept.'s Press Release of April 1, 2008: "All existing TVRs in Visitor Destination Areas (VDAs) must be registered by Sept. 3. All others must apply for a Non-Conforming Use Certificate by Oct. 15 and receive approval by March 30, 2009."

What is the fee to register initially?

[Ans.] No charge. However, you will need to pay $150 to re-new your N.U.C. annually.  (Non-conforming Use Certificate)

 Is the "registration" form for the NUC the same as the "application" form for ALL TVR owners, regardless of whether they are in VDA or non-VDA.

[Ans.] Yes.  For the sake of Planning Dept.'s record keeping and coordination with the Real Property Assessment the Planning Dept. have consolidated the registration and NUC process.

 I am an owner of a condo, also referred to as a multi-family dwelling unit. Does each condo owner have to obtain their own architect to provide current updated plot plan and building plan of the entire condominium project

[Ans.] It is recommended that you contact your Association and find out from them if you all can pool together and get one master plot plan and one master building plan.

 Does the architect or engineer that I obtain have to be Hawaii licensed?

[Ans.] Yes

I am an owner of a single family dwelling already in a Visitor Designated Area. Do I still need to register? 

[Ans.] Yes.

Is it true that I need to walk the Plot & Building plans through to two different county departments?

[Ans.] Yes. The Real Property Assessment Division and the Planning Department will require these two documents. You do not need separate copies for each department. Each department will check the plans serially. No matter which desk you are at, you should be there with current a Plot Plan and a Building Plan with a Hawaii license architect's stamp asserting that there are no violations.

Where is the Planning Department located?

Real Property Assessment                                                           Planning Department

4444 Rice Street, Suite 454                                                             4444 Rice Street, 

Lihue, HI 96766                                                                                Lihue, HI 96766
Tel: (808) 241-6222                                                                         Tel: (808) 241-6677