Maui County vs Phoenix

Hawaii Effectively Banned | Arizona Legal with Permit

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
Phoenix, Arizona
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $250/year (non-refundable)
Tax Rate ~12.57% combined transient lodging tax (state + county + city)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $500 first violation; $1,000 second; $3,500 third; 12-month suspension after 3 violations

Phoenix 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 Phoenix charges $250/year (non-refundable). Maui County renewal is annual, and Phoenix renewal is annual. Overall, Phoenix has a more permissive regulatory environment (Legal with Permit) compared to Maui County (Effectively Banned).

Tax Obligations

In Maui County, hosts pay ~18% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county MCTAT + 4% GET). In Phoenix, hosts pay ~12.57% combined transient lodging tax (state + county + city). A key difference: platforms like Airbnb automatically collect taxes in Phoenix, 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 Phoenix, violations can result in $500 first violation; $1,000 second; $3,500 third; 12-month suspension after 3 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 →

Phoenix Overview

Arizona SB 1168 (2022) grants cities enhanced enforcement while SB 1350 (2016) preempts outright bans. Phoenix requires STR permit, $500K liability insurance, neighbor notification, and prohibits STR use of accessory dwelling units.

Contact: Phoenix Planning & Development — (602) 534-9723

Full Phoenix guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Maui County or Phoenix?
Maui County is classified as "Effectively Banned" while Phoenix is "Legal with Permit." Maui County's permit fee is Set by annual budget ordinance — contact Planning Dept for current amount compared to $250/year (non-refundable) in Phoenix. Overall, Phoenix has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Maui County or Phoenix?
Maui County charges ~18% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county MCTAT + 4% GET), while Phoenix charges ~12.57% combined transient lodging tax (state + county + city). Notably, Phoenix 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. Phoenix: $500 first violation; $1,000 second; $3,500 third; 12-month suspension after 3 violations. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Maui County and Phoenix have day limits for Airbnb?
Maui County has no annual day limit. Phoenix has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Maui County or Phoenix?
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. Phoenix charges $250/year (non-refundable) with ~12.57% combined transient lodging tax (state + county + city). Automatic tax collection in Phoenix makes compliance easier for beginners.