Maui County vs Philadelphia
Hawaii Effectively Banned | Pennsylvania Legal with Permit
Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.
| Requirement | Maui County, Hawaii | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Legality Status | Effectively Banned | Legal with Permit |
| Permit Fee | Set by annual budget ordinance — contact Planning Dept for current amount | $50 Limited Lodging license |
| Tax Rate | ~18% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county MCTAT + 4% GET) | 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit | 180 days/year |
| Renewal Interval | Annual | Annual |
| Platform Remits Taxes | No — host must remit | Yes |
| Max Fine Example | $20,000 first offense; $10,000/day thereafter | $300/day for unlicensed rental |
| Verdict | Philadelphia has more favorable STR regulations overall. | |
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
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $50 Limited Lodging license
Tax Rate 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax
Day Limit 180 days/year
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $300/day for unlicensed rental
Philadelphia has more favorable STR regulations overall.
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.
Full Maui County guide →Philadelphia Overview
Limited Lodging license required. Primary residence only, capped at 180 days/year for unhosted rentals. Hosted (owner-present) stays have no day cap. Must carry liability insurance.
Full Philadelphia guide →Frequently Asked Questions
Is it easier to Airbnb in Maui County or Philadelphia?
Maui County is classified as "Effectively Banned" while Philadelphia is "Legal with Permit." Maui County's permit fee is Set by annual budget ordinance — contact Planning Dept for current amount compared to $50 Limited Lodging license in Philadelphia.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Maui County or Philadelphia?
Maui County charges ~18% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county MCTAT + 4% GET), while Philadelphia charges 8.5% Hotel Tax + sales tax. Compare the full breakdown in the table above.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Maui County: $20,000 first offense; $10,000/day thereafter. Philadelphia: $300/day for unlicensed rental.