Jersey City vs Maui County

New Jersey Restricted | Hawaii Effectively Banned

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

Jersey City, New Jersey
Status Restricted
Permit Fee $250 initial application + $200 annual renewal
Tax Rate 6% municipal occupancy tax + 6.625% state sales + 5% state occupancy fee
Day Limit 60 days/year
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $1,500–$2,000 first offense; up to $5,000+ for repeat violations
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

Jersey City has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Jersey City charges $250 initial application + $200 annual renewal for STR licensing, while Maui County charges Set by annual budget ordinance — contact Planning Dept for current amount. Jersey City renewal is annual, and Maui County renewal is annual. Overall, Jersey City has a more permissive regulatory environment (Restricted) compared to Maui County (Effectively Banned).

Tax Obligations

In Jersey City, hosts pay 6% municipal occupancy tax + 6.625% state sales + 5% state occupancy fee. 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 Jersey City, but hosts in Maui County must collect and remit taxes themselves — a significant operational burden.

Day Limits & Restrictions

Jersey City imposes a 60-night annual limit, while Maui County has no annual cap — a significant advantage for high-volume hosts.

Fines & Enforcement

Hosts operating without a permit in Jersey City face penalties including $1,500–$2,000 first offense; up to $5,000+ for repeat violations. 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.

Jersey City Overview

Adopted after 2019 voter referendum. Owner-occupied only — tenants and rent-controlled units prohibited. Unhosted stays capped at 60 nights/year. Only buildings with fewer than 4 units eligible.

Contact: Division of Housing Preservation — (201) 547-4821

Full Jersey City 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 Jersey City or Maui County?
Jersey City is classified as "Restricted" while Maui County is "Effectively Banned." Jersey City's permit fee is $250 initial application + $200 annual renewal compared to Set by annual budget ordinance — contact Planning Dept for current amount in Maui County. Overall, Jersey City has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Jersey City or Maui County?
Jersey City charges 6% municipal occupancy tax + 6.625% state sales + 5% state occupancy fee, while Maui County charges ~18% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county MCTAT + 4% GET). Notably, Jersey City 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?
Jersey City: $1,500–$2,000 first offense; up to $5,000+ for repeat violations. Maui County: $20,000 first offense; $10,000/day thereafter. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Jersey City and Maui County have day limits for Airbnb?
Jersey City limits STRs to 60 nights per year. Maui County has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Jersey City or Maui County?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Jersey City charges $250 initial application + $200 annual renewal for permits with 6% municipal occupancy tax + 6.625% state sales + 5% state occupancy fee 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 Jersey City makes compliance easier for beginners.