Charleston vs Maui County

South Carolina Restricted | Hawaii Effectively Banned

Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.

Charleston, South Carolina
Status Restricted
Permit Fee $250 (24–72 nights/yr) or $1,500 (72+ nights/yr) + $200 zoning review fee
Tax Rate ~14% combined (5% state sales + 2% state accommodations + 2% county + 2% city + local option taxes)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax No
Max Fine Up to $1,087/day or 30 days jail; criminal prosecution possible
Maui County, Hawaii
Status Effectively Banned
Permit Fee Set by annual budget ordinance — contact Planning Dept for current amount
Tax Rate ~18% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county MCTAT + 4% GET)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax No
Max Fine $20,000 first offense; $10,000/day thereafter

Charleston has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Charleston charges $250 (24–72 nights/yr) or $1,500 (72+ nights/yr) + $200 zoning review fee for STR licensing, while Maui County charges Set by annual budget ordinance — contact Planning Dept for current amount. Charleston renewal is annual, and Maui County renewal is annual. Overall, Charleston has a more permissive regulatory environment (Restricted) compared to Maui County (Effectively Banned).

Tax Obligations

In Charleston, hosts pay ~14% combined (5% state sales + 2% state accommodations + 2% county + 2% city + local option taxes). In Maui County, hosts pay ~18% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county MCTAT + 4% GET). Neither city has automatic platform tax collection — hosts in both markets must handle tax collection and remittance independently.

Day Limits & Restrictions

Neither city imposes an annual day limit on short-term rentals, giving hosts year-round flexibility.

Fines & Enforcement

Hosts operating without a permit in Charleston face penalties including Up to $1,087/day or 30 days jail; criminal prosecution possible. In Maui County, violations can result in $20,000 first offense; $10,000/day thereafter. Both cities actively enforce their STR regulations, so securing proper licensing before listing is essential in either market.

Charleston Overview

Whole-house STRs are effectively banned; at least one full-time resident must sleep on-site each night. Max 4 adult guests. Charleston is one of the few U.S. cities that criminally prosecutes illegal STR operators. $1M liability insurance required.

Contact: Charleston Dept. of Planning, Preservation & Sustainability — (843) 724-7311

Full Charleston guide →

Maui County Overview

Ordinance 5909 (signed Dec 2025) phases out all apartment-zoned vacation rentals — STR use must cease by Jan 1, 2029 in West Maui and Jan 1, 2031 elsewhere. Existing STRH and B&B permits remain but are capped. Legal challenges are pending.

Contact: Planning Dept., Current Planning Division — (808) 270-8205

Full Maui County guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Charleston or Maui County?
Charleston is classified as "Restricted" while Maui County is "Effectively Banned." Charleston's permit fee is $250 (24–72 nights/yr) or $1,500 (72+ nights/yr) + $200 zoning review fee compared to Set by annual budget ordinance — contact Planning Dept for current amount in Maui County. Overall, Charleston has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Charleston or Maui County?
Charleston charges ~14% combined (5% state sales + 2% state accommodations + 2% county + 2% city + local option taxes), while Maui County charges ~18% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county MCTAT + 4% GET).
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Charleston: Up to $1,087/day or 30 days jail; criminal prosecution possible. Maui County: $20,000 first offense; $10,000/day thereafter. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Charleston and Maui County have day limits for Airbnb?
Charleston has no annual day limit. Maui County has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Charleston or Maui County?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Charleston charges $250 (24–72 nights/yr) or $1,500 (72+ nights/yr) + $200 zoning review fee for permits with ~14% combined (5% state sales + 2% state accommodations + 2% county + 2% city + local option taxes) in taxes. Maui County charges Set by annual budget ordinance — contact Planning Dept for current amount with ~18% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county MCTAT + 4% GET). Neither city offers automatic platform tax collection, so plan for manual tax remittance.