Maui County vs Palm Springs

Hawaii Effectively Banned | California 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
Palm Springs, California
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $1,072/year Vacation Rental Certificate; $642/year Junior Certificate
Tax Rate 12.5% combined (11.5% TOT + 1% TBID)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $5,000 for operating without certificate + permanent ineligibility; 3 violations = 2-year suspension

Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs charges $1,072/year Vacation Rental Certificate; $642/year Junior Certificate. Maui County renewal is annual, and Palm Springs renewal is annual. Overall, Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs, hosts pay 12.5% combined (11.5% TOT + 1% TBID). A key difference: platforms like Airbnb automatically collect taxes in Palm Springs, 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 Palm Springs, violations can result in $5,000 for operating without certificate + permanent ineligibility; 3 violations = 2-year suspension. 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 →

Palm Springs Overview

Limited to 26 rental contracts per year (28 nights or shorter each). Neighborhood density cap of 20% — multiple neighborhoods already at capacity. One permit per owner; occupancy based on bedroom count. $500,000 liability insurance required.

Contact: Dept. of Special Program Compliance — (760) 322-8383

Full Palm Springs guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Maui County or Palm Springs?
Maui County is classified as "Effectively Banned" while Palm Springs is "Legal but Limited." Maui County's permit fee is Set by annual budget ordinance — contact Planning Dept for current amount compared to $1,072/year Vacation Rental Certificate; $642/year Junior Certificate in Palm Springs. Overall, Palm Springs has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Maui County or Palm Springs?
Maui County charges ~18% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county MCTAT + 4% GET), while Palm Springs charges 12.5% combined (11.5% TOT + 1% TBID). Notably, Palm Springs 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. Palm Springs: $5,000 for operating without certificate + permanent ineligibility; 3 violations = 2-year suspension. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Maui County and Palm Springs have day limits for Airbnb?
Maui County has no annual day limit. Palm Springs has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Maui County or Palm Springs?
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. Palm Springs charges $1,072/year Vacation Rental Certificate; $642/year Junior Certificate with 12.5% combined (11.5% TOT + 1% TBID). Automatic tax collection in Palm Springs makes compliance easier for beginners.