Fort Lauderdale vs Maui County

Florida Legal with Permit | Hawaii Effectively Banned

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
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

Fort Lauderdale has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Fort Lauderdale charges $350 initial registration; $80–$160/year renewal for STR licensing, while Maui County charges Set by annual budget ordinance — contact Planning Dept for current amount. Fort Lauderdale renewal is annual, and Maui County renewal is annual. Overall, Fort Lauderdale has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) compared to Maui County (Effectively Banned).

Tax Obligations

In Fort Lauderdale, hosts pay ~13% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1% surtax). 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 Fort Lauderdale, 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 Fort Lauderdale face penalties including $250/uncontested violation; up to $15,000/day during suspension. 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.

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 →

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 Fort Lauderdale or Maui County?
Fort Lauderdale is classified as "Legal with Permit" while Maui County is "Effectively Banned." Fort Lauderdale's permit fee is $350 initial registration; $80–$160/year renewal compared to Set by annual budget ordinance — contact Planning Dept for current amount in Maui County. Overall, Fort Lauderdale has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Fort Lauderdale or Maui County?
Fort Lauderdale charges ~13% combined (6% county tourist dev. + 6% state sales + 1% surtax), while Maui County charges ~18% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county MCTAT + 4% GET). Notably, Fort Lauderdale 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?
Fort Lauderdale: $250/uncontested violation; up to $15,000/day during suspension. Maui County: $20,000 first offense; $10,000/day thereafter. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Fort Lauderdale and Maui County have day limits for Airbnb?
Fort Lauderdale has no annual day limit. Maui County has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Fort Lauderdale or Maui County?
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. 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 Fort Lauderdale makes compliance easier for beginners.