Honolulu vs Maui County

Hawaii Restricted | Hawaii Effectively Banned

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

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
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

Honolulu has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Honolulu charges $1,000 initial registration; $500 annual renewal for STR licensing, while Maui County charges Set by annual budget ordinance — contact Planning Dept for current amount. Honolulu renewal is annual, and Maui County renewal is annual. Overall, Honolulu has a more permissive regulatory environment (Restricted) compared to Maui County (Effectively Banned).

Tax Obligations

In Honolulu, hosts pay ~18.5% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county TAT surcharge + 4.5% GET). 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 Honolulu face penalties including $10,000/day for recurring violations; $5,000 initial fine. 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.

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 →

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 Honolulu or Maui County?
Honolulu is classified as "Restricted" while Maui County is "Effectively Banned." Honolulu's permit fee is $1,000 initial registration; $500 annual renewal compared to Set by annual budget ordinance — contact Planning Dept for current amount in Maui County. Overall, Honolulu has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Honolulu or Maui County?
Honolulu charges ~18.5% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county TAT surcharge + 4.5% GET), while Maui County charges ~18% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county MCTAT + 4% GET).
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Honolulu: $10,000/day for recurring violations; $5,000 initial fine. Maui County: $20,000 first offense; $10,000/day thereafter. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Honolulu and Maui County have day limits for Airbnb?
Honolulu has no annual day limit. Maui County has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Honolulu or Maui County?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Honolulu charges $1,000 initial registration; $500 annual renewal for permits with ~18.5% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county TAT surcharge + 4.5% GET) 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.