Honolulu vs Scottsdale

Hawaii Restricted | Arizona 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
Scottsdale, Arizona
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $250/year
Tax Rate ~14.27% combined transient occupancy tax (state + county + city)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $500 first violation; $1,000 second; $3,500 third; license suspension after 3 in 12 months

Scottsdale has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Honolulu charges $1,000 initial registration; $500 annual renewal for STR licensing, while Scottsdale charges $250/year. Honolulu renewal is annual, and Scottsdale renewal is annual. Overall, Scottsdale 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 Scottsdale, hosts pay ~14.27% combined transient occupancy tax (state + county + city). A key difference: platforms like Airbnb automatically collect taxes in Scottsdale, 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 Scottsdale, violations can result in $500 first violation; $1,000 second; $3,500 third; license suspension after 3 in 12 months. 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 →

Scottsdale Overview

Ordinance 4566 caps occupancy at 6 adults plus dependent children, requires 1 off-street parking space per bedroom, $500K liability insurance, and neighbor notification within 30 days. Special events and commercial uses prohibited.

Contact: Scottsdale Code Enforcement — (480) 312-2546

Full Scottsdale guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Honolulu or Scottsdale?
Honolulu is classified as "Restricted" while Scottsdale is "Legal with Permit." Honolulu's permit fee is $1,000 initial registration; $500 annual renewal compared to $250/year in Scottsdale. Overall, Scottsdale has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Honolulu or Scottsdale?
Honolulu charges ~18.5% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county TAT surcharge + 4.5% GET), while Scottsdale charges ~14.27% combined transient occupancy tax (state + county + city). Notably, Scottsdale 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. Scottsdale: $500 first violation; $1,000 second; $3,500 third; license suspension after 3 in 12 months. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Honolulu and Scottsdale have day limits for Airbnb?
Honolulu has no annual day limit. Scottsdale has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Honolulu or Scottsdale?
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. Scottsdale charges $250/year with ~14.27% combined transient occupancy tax (state + county + city). Automatic tax collection in Scottsdale makes compliance easier for beginners.