The Hawaii Supreme Court has upheld a state Land Use Commission order prohibiting the use of farm dwellings in agricultural districts as short-term vacation rentals. The court ruled that courts must generally defer to agencies when interpreting vague or ambiguous laws, in contrast to a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision. Farm dwellings are defined as single-family dwellings on or used in connection with a farm or where agricultural activity provides income. The LUC found that using farm dwellings as short-term rentals was incompatible with their intended use. The state Supreme Court upheld this determination and vacated a circuit court ruling in favor of landowners seeking to use their properties as rentals. This decision affirms the importance of agency expertise in interpreting state law. Gov. Josh Green praised the ruling, stating that using agricultural lands for genuine purposes and ensuring housing for residents are crucial issues in Hawaii. The court’s decision contrasts with the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of the Chevron deference, which allowed courts to act on their own interpretations of ambiguous statutes. The ruling is seen as a victory for preserving agricultural land use in Hawaii.
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Short-term Rentals Prohibited on Agricultural Land
