If you are planning a trip to Maui and prefer staying in a vacation rental over a traditional hotel, there is a major legal shift you need to know about.

In late 2025, Maui County passed historic legislation known as Bill 9. This law phases out thousands of short-term vacation rentals located in "apartment-zoned" districts. The goal of this legislation is to return these units to the local housing market to help ease Maui’s severe housing crisis.

Here is a breakdown of what these new rental laws mean for your 2026 vacation and how you can book your stay safely.

The Phase-Out Timeline

The good news for 2026 travelers is that the ban does not happen overnight. The law provides a grace period for property owners.

• West Maui: Apartment-zoned rentals must cease operations by January 1, 2029.
• South Maui & the rest of the island: Apartment-zoned rentals must cease operations by January 1, 2031.

Because the phase-out dates are still a few years away, units currently operating legally can continue to host guests in 2026. However, the market is currently very volatile. In early 2026, the county rejected a proposal that would have saved many of these units. As a result, many owners are choosing to sell their condos now rather than wait for the deadline.

What This Means for Your 2026 Trip

If you book an apartment-zoned Airbnb or VRBO for later this year, there is a slight risk that the owner could sell the property before your trip arrives. If the new buyer decides to live in the unit or rent it to a local resident long-term, your vacation booking could be canceled.

Rentals in "Hotel-Zoned" areas are completely unaffected by this law. Condominiums built on hotel-zoned land are permanently safe and will continue operating as vacation rentals indefinitely.

How to Protect Your Vacation

You can absolutely still book a vacation rental in Maui, but you need to be a slightly more defensive traveler right now.

1. Ask the Host Directly: Before you hit "book," message the host and ask, "Is this property in a Hotel zone or an Apartment zone?" If they say it is on the "Minatoya List" or in an apartment zone, be aware that the property faces future restrictions and could potentially be sold.

2. Buy Travel Insurance: Make sure you purchase a robust "Cancel for Any Reason" travel insurance policy. If your host sells the unit and cancels your stay, you want to make sure your flights and other expenses are covered.

3. Consider a Hotel or Resort-Zoned Condo: If you want zero stress and absolute certainty, book a traditional hotel or a condo complex that is officially hotel-zoned. Properties like the Honua Kai Resort or Wailea Beach Villas are entirely exempt from the new phase-out laws.