Denver vs Maui County

Colorado Legal with Permit | Hawaii Effectively Banned

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

Denver, Colorado
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $100 license fee
Tax Rate 10.75% Lodger's Tax (combined city/county/state)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Every 2 years
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $999/day for unlicensed operation
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

Denver has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Denver charges $100 license fee for STR licensing, while Maui County charges Set by annual budget ordinance — contact Planning Dept for current amount. Denver renewal is every 2 years, and Maui County renewal is annual. Overall, Denver has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) compared to Maui County (Effectively Banned).

Tax Obligations

In Denver, hosts pay 10.75% Lodger's Tax (combined city/county/state). In Maui County, hosts pay ~18% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county MCTAT + 4% GET). A key difference: platforms like Airbnb automatically collect taxes in Denver, but hosts in Maui County must collect and remit taxes themselves — a significant operational burden.

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 Denver face penalties including $999/day for unlicensed operation. 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.

Denver Overview

Only primary residences may be used as STRs. Hosts must obtain a Short-Term Rental license. No cap on rental days. Accessory dwelling units on the same lot are also eligible.

Contact: Denver Excise & Licenses — (720) 913-1311

Full Denver 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 Denver or Maui County?
Denver is classified as "Legal with Permit" while Maui County is "Effectively Banned." Denver's permit fee is $100 license fee compared to Set by annual budget ordinance — contact Planning Dept for current amount in Maui County. Overall, Denver has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Denver or Maui County?
Denver charges 10.75% Lodger's Tax (combined city/county/state), while Maui County charges ~18% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county MCTAT + 4% GET). Notably, Denver benefits from automatic platform tax collection, while hosts in Maui County must handle taxes themselves.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Denver: $999/day for unlicensed operation. Maui County: $20,000 first offense; $10,000/day thereafter. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Denver and Maui County have day limits for Airbnb?
Denver has no annual day limit. Maui County has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Denver or Maui County?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Denver charges $100 license fee for permits with 10.75% Lodger's Tax (combined city/county/state) 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). Automatic tax collection in Denver makes compliance easier for beginners.