Honolulu vs Miami

Hawaii Restricted | Florida Restricted

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
Miami, Florida
Status Restricted
Permit Fee $150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee
Tax Rate 13% (6% state + 5% county tourist dev. + 2% city resort tax)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual (city); Biennial (state)
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $20,000 lien per violation by code enforcement

Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments.

Permits & Licensing

Honolulu charges $1,000 initial registration; $500 annual renewal for STR licensing, while Miami charges $150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee. Honolulu renewal is annual, and Miami renewal is annual (city); biennial (state). Both cities share a similar regulatory stance, classified as "Restricted."

Tax Obligations

In Honolulu, hosts pay ~18.5% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county TAT surcharge + 4.5% GET). In Miami, hosts pay 13% (6% state + 5% county tourist dev. + 2% city resort tax). A key difference: platforms like Airbnb automatically collect taxes in Miami, 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 Honolulu face penalties including $10,000/day for recurring violations; $5,000 initial fine. In Miami, violations can result in $20,000 lien per violation by code enforcement. 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 →

Miami Overview

STRs restricted to commercially zoned or mixed-use areas. Single-family residential neighborhoods generally prohibit STRs. State preemption law limits some local regulations. Both city Certificate of Use and state DBPR license required.

Contact: Miami Planning & Zoning — (305) 416-1400

Full Miami guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Honolulu or Miami?
Honolulu is classified as "Restricted" while Miami is "Restricted." Honolulu's permit fee is $1,000 initial registration; $500 annual renewal compared to $150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee in Miami. Both cities have comparable regulatory frameworks.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Honolulu or Miami?
Honolulu charges ~18.5% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county TAT surcharge + 4.5% GET), while Miami charges 13% (6% state + 5% county tourist dev. + 2% city resort tax). Notably, Miami benefits from automatic platform tax collection, while hosts in Honolulu must handle taxes themselves.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Honolulu: $10,000/day for recurring violations; $5,000 initial fine. Miami: $20,000 lien per violation by code enforcement. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Honolulu and Miami have day limits for Airbnb?
Honolulu has no annual day limit. Miami has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Honolulu or Miami?
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. Miami charges $150 city certificate + state DBPR license fee with 13% (6% state + 5% county tourist dev. + 2% city resort tax). Automatic tax collection in Miami makes compliance easier for beginners.