Maui County vs New Orleans

Hawaii Effectively Banned | Louisiana Restricted

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
New Orleans, Louisiana
Status Restricted
Permit Fee NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year
Tax Rate 5% sales tax + 6.75% occupancy tax + $5–$12/night occupancy fee
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $1,000/violation; platforms fined $1,000/day per illegal listing

New Orleans 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 New Orleans charges NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year. Maui County renewal is annual, and New Orleans renewal is annual. Overall, New Orleans has a more permissive regulatory environment (Restricted) compared to Maui County (Effectively Banned).

Tax Obligations

In Maui County, hosts pay ~18% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county MCTAT + 4% GET). In New Orleans, hosts pay 5% sales tax + 6.75% occupancy tax + $5–$12/night occupancy fee. A key difference: platforms like Airbnb automatically collect taxes in New Orleans, 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 New Orleans, violations can result in $1,000/violation; platforms fined $1,000/day per illegal listing. 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 →

New Orleans Overview

Heavily restricted: French Quarter is banned (except parts of Bourbon St), permits limited to owner's primary residence via lottery, CSTR permits frozen since 2023, and one STR per block density cap applies.

Contact: New Orleans STR Administration — (504) 658-7144

Full New Orleans guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Maui County or New Orleans?
Maui County is classified as "Effectively Banned" while New Orleans is "Restricted." Maui County's permit fee is Set by annual budget ordinance — contact Planning Dept for current amount compared to NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year in New Orleans. Overall, New Orleans has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Maui County or New Orleans?
Maui County charges ~18% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county MCTAT + 4% GET), while New Orleans charges 5% sales tax + 6.75% occupancy tax + $5–$12/night occupancy fee. Notably, New Orleans 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. New Orleans: $1,000/violation; platforms fined $1,000/day per illegal listing. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Maui County and New Orleans have day limits for Airbnb?
Maui County has no annual day limit. New Orleans has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Maui County or New Orleans?
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. New Orleans charges NSTR ~$50 application (lottery); CSTR $1,000/year with 5% sales tax + 6.75% occupancy tax + $5–$12/night occupancy fee. Automatic tax collection in New Orleans makes compliance easier for beginners.