Maui County vs Nashville

Hawaii Effectively Banned | Tennessee Legal but Limited

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

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
Nashville, Tennessee
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $313 permit fee
Tax Rate 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $50/day for operating without permit; civil penalties up to $500,000 for repeated violations

Nashville has more favorable STR regulations overall.

Permits & Licensing

Maui County charges Set by annual budget ordinance — contact Planning Dept for current amount for STR licensing, while Nashville charges $313 permit fee. Maui County renewal is annual, and Nashville renewal is annual. Overall, Nashville has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal but Limited) compared to Maui County (Effectively Banned).

Tax Obligations

In Maui County, hosts pay ~18% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county MCTAT + 4% GET). In Nashville, hosts pay 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax. A key difference: platforms like Airbnb automatically collect taxes in Nashville, but hosts in Maui County 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 Maui County face penalties including $20,000 first offense; $10,000/day thereafter. In Nashville, violations can result in $50/day for operating without permit; civil penalties up to $500,000 for repeated violations. Both cities actively enforce their STR regulations, so securing proper licensing before listing is essential in either market.

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 →

Nashville Overview

Owner-occupied permits allowed in all zones. Non-owner-occupied permits frozen — no new applications accepted in most residential zones since 2015. Existing non-owner permits are non-transferable.

Contact: Nashville Codes Department — (615) 862-6590

Full Nashville guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Maui County or Nashville?
Maui County is classified as "Effectively Banned" while Nashville is "Legal but Limited." Maui County's permit fee is Set by annual budget ordinance — contact Planning Dept for current amount compared to $313 permit fee in Nashville. Overall, Nashville has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Maui County or Nashville?
Maui County charges ~18% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county MCTAT + 4% GET), while Nashville charges 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax. Notably, Nashville 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?
Maui County: $20,000 first offense; $10,000/day thereafter. Nashville: $50/day for operating without permit; civil penalties up to $500,000 for repeated violations. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Maui County and Nashville have day limits for Airbnb?
Maui County has no annual day limit. Nashville has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Maui County or Nashville?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Maui County charges Set by annual budget ordinance — contact Planning Dept for current amount for permits with ~18% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county MCTAT + 4% GET) in taxes. Nashville charges $313 permit fee with 6% Short-Term Rental Property Tax + state/local sales tax. Automatic tax collection in Nashville makes compliance easier for beginners.