Maui County vs Raleigh

Hawaii Effectively Banned | North Carolina 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
Raleigh, North Carolina
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee ~$194 initial zoning permit; ~$86 annual renewal
Tax Rate ~13% combined (7% state+local sales + 6% Wake County room occupancy tax)
Day Limit 120 days/year
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine $100–$500/day for violations; permit revocation possible

Raleigh 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 Raleigh charges ~$194 initial zoning permit; ~$86 annual renewal. Maui County renewal is annual, and Raleigh renewal is annual. Overall, Raleigh 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 Raleigh, hosts pay ~13% combined (7% state+local sales + 6% Wake County room occupancy tax). A key difference: platforms like Airbnb automatically collect taxes in Raleigh, but hosts in Maui County must collect and remit taxes themselves — a significant operational burden.

Day Limits & Restrictions

Raleigh imposes a 120-night annual limit, while Maui County has no annual cap — a significant advantage for high-volume hosts.

Fines & Enforcement

Hosts operating without a permit in Maui County face penalties including $20,000 first offense; $10,000/day thereafter. In Raleigh, violations can result in $100–$500/day for violations; permit revocation possible. 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 →

Raleigh Overview

STRs allowed as limited use in residential and mixed-use zones. Standard permit limits hosting to 120 days/year; Extended Home-Sharing permit allows 365 days. Zoning permit number must be displayed on all advertisements.

Contact: Planning and Development — (919) 996-2500

Full Raleigh guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Maui County or Raleigh?
Maui County is classified as "Effectively Banned" while Raleigh is "Legal with Permit." Maui County's permit fee is Set by annual budget ordinance — contact Planning Dept for current amount compared to ~$194 initial zoning permit; ~$86 annual renewal in Raleigh. Overall, Raleigh has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Maui County or Raleigh?
Maui County charges ~18% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county MCTAT + 4% GET), while Raleigh charges ~13% combined (7% state+local sales + 6% Wake County room occupancy tax). Notably, Raleigh 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. Raleigh: $100–$500/day for violations; permit revocation possible. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Maui County and Raleigh have day limits for Airbnb?
Maui County has no annual day limit. Raleigh limits STRs to 120 nights per year.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Maui County or Raleigh?
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. Raleigh charges ~$194 initial zoning permit; ~$86 annual renewal with ~13% combined (7% state+local sales + 6% Wake County room occupancy tax). Automatic tax collection in Raleigh makes compliance easier for beginners.