Fort Lauderdale vs Honolulu

Florida Legal with Permit | Hawaii Restricted

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

Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $350 initial registration; $80–$160/year renewal
Tax Rate ~13% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1% surtax)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $250/uncontested violation; up to $15,000/day during suspension
Honolulu, Hawaii
Status Restricted
Permit Fee $1,000 initial registration; $500 annual renewal
Tax Rate ~18.5% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county TAT surcharge + 4.5% GET)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax No
Max Fine $10,000/day for recurring violations; $5,000 initial fine

Fort Lauderdale has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Fort Lauderdale charges $350 initial registration; $80–$160/year renewal for STR licensing, while Honolulu charges $1,000 initial registration; $500 annual renewal. Fort Lauderdale renewal is annual, and Honolulu renewal is annual. Overall, Fort Lauderdale has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) compared to Honolulu (Restricted).

Tax Obligations

In Fort Lauderdale, hosts pay ~13% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1% surtax). In Honolulu, hosts pay ~18.5% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county TAT surcharge + 4.5% GET). A key difference: platforms like Airbnb automatically collect taxes in Fort Lauderdale, but hosts in Honolulu 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 Fort Lauderdale face penalties including $250/uncontested violation; up to $15,000/day during suspension. In Honolulu, violations can result in $10,000/day for recurring violations; $5,000 initial fine. Both cities actively enforce their STR regulations, so securing proper licensing before listing is essential in either market.

Fort Lauderdale Overview

Annual registration and Certificate of Compliance required. Occupancy capped at 2 persons per bedroom. Florida DBPR state license also required.

Contact: Fort Lauderdale Community Enhancement & Compliance — (954) 828-8000

Full Fort Lauderdale guide →

Honolulu Overview

STRs limited to resort-zoned and eligible apartment-zoned areas. Hosts must register as B&B (owner-occupied, max 2 guest rooms) or TVU (whole-home in eligible zones). Registrations are non-transferable.

Contact: Dept. of Planning and Permitting — (808) 768-7887

Full Honolulu guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Fort Lauderdale or Honolulu?
Fort Lauderdale is classified as "Legal with Permit" while Honolulu is "Restricted." Fort Lauderdale's permit fee is $350 initial registration; $80–$160/year renewal compared to $1,000 initial registration; $500 annual renewal in Honolulu. Overall, Fort Lauderdale has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Fort Lauderdale or Honolulu?
Fort Lauderdale charges ~13% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1% surtax), while Honolulu charges ~18.5% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county TAT surcharge + 4.5% GET). Notably, Fort Lauderdale benefits from automatic platform tax collection, while hosts in Honolulu must handle taxes themselves.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Fort Lauderdale: $250/uncontested violation; up to $15,000/day during suspension. Honolulu: $10,000/day for recurring violations; $5,000 initial fine. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Fort Lauderdale and Honolulu have day limits for Airbnb?
Fort Lauderdale has no annual day limit. Honolulu has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Fort Lauderdale or Honolulu?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Fort Lauderdale charges $350 initial registration; $80–$160/year renewal for permits with ~13% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1% surtax) in taxes. Honolulu charges $1,000 initial registration; $500 annual renewal with ~18.5% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county TAT surcharge + 4.5% GET). Automatic tax collection in Fort Lauderdale makes compliance easier for beginners.