Honolulu vs Philadelphia

Hawaii Restricted | Pennsylvania Legal with Permit

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
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $50 Limited Lodging license
Tax Rate 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax
Day Limit 180 days/year
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $300/day for unlicensed rental

Philadelphia has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Honolulu charges $1,000 initial registration; $500 annual renewal for STR licensing, while Philadelphia charges $50 Limited Lodging license. Honolulu renewal is annual, and Philadelphia renewal is annual. Overall, Philadelphia has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) compared to Honolulu (Restricted).

Tax Obligations

In Honolulu, hosts pay ~18.5% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county TAT surcharge + 4.5% GET). In Philadelphia, hosts pay 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax. A key difference: platforms like Airbnb automatically collect taxes in Philadelphia, but hosts in Honolulu must collect and remit taxes themselves — a significant operational burden.

Day Limits & Restrictions

Philadelphia imposes a 180-night annual limit, while Honolulu has no annual cap — a significant advantage for high-volume hosts.

Fines & Enforcement

Hosts operating without a permit in Honolulu face penalties including $10,000/day for recurring violations; $5,000 initial fine. In Philadelphia, violations can result in $300/day for unlicensed rental. 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 →

Philadelphia Overview

Limited Lodging license required. Primary residence only, capped at 180 days/year for unhosted rentals. Hosted (owner-present) stays have no day cap. Must carry liability insurance.

Contact: Philadelphia L&I — (215) 686-2463

Full Philadelphia guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Honolulu or Philadelphia?
Honolulu is classified as "Restricted" while Philadelphia is "Legal with Permit." Honolulu's permit fee is $1,000 initial registration; $500 annual renewal compared to $50 Limited Lodging license in Philadelphia. Overall, Philadelphia has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Honolulu or Philadelphia?
Honolulu charges ~18.5% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county TAT surcharge + 4.5% GET), while Philadelphia charges 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax. Notably, Philadelphia 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. Philadelphia: $300/day for unlicensed rental. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Honolulu and Philadelphia have day limits for Airbnb?
Honolulu has no annual day limit. Philadelphia limits STRs to 180 nights per year.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Honolulu or Philadelphia?
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. Philadelphia charges $50 Limited Lodging license with 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax. Automatic tax collection in Philadelphia makes compliance easier for beginners.