Maui County vs Savannah

Hawaii Effectively Banned | Georgia 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
Savannah, Georgia
Status Legal with Permit
Permit Fee $400 initial application; $250/year renewal
Tax Rate 8% local hotel/motel tax + 7% state sales tax
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Fine per violation; 3 violations in 12 months triggers certificate revocation

Savannah 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 Savannah charges $400 initial application; $250/year renewal. Maui County renewal is annual, and Savannah renewal is annual. Overall, Savannah 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 Savannah, hosts pay 8% local hotel/motel tax + 7% state sales tax. A key difference: platforms like Airbnb automatically collect taxes in Savannah, 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 Savannah, violations can result in Fine per violation; 3 violations in 12 months triggers certificate revocation. 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 →

Savannah Overview

STVRs permitted within Downtown, Victorian, and Streetcar historic district overlay zones, plus select commercial/agriculture zones. 20% per-ward cap applies to non-owner-occupied parcels in historic districts.

Contact: Savannah Planning & Urban Design — (912) 525-2783

Full Savannah guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Maui County or Savannah?
Maui County is classified as "Effectively Banned" while Savannah is "Legal with Permit." Maui County's permit fee is Set by annual budget ordinance — contact Planning Dept for current amount compared to $400 initial application; $250/year renewal in Savannah. Overall, Savannah has a more host-friendly regulatory environment.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Maui County or Savannah?
Maui County charges ~18% combined (11% state TAT + 3% county MCTAT + 4% GET), while Savannah charges 8% local hotel/motel tax + 7% state sales tax. Notably, Savannah 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. Savannah: Fine per violation; 3 violations in 12 months triggers certificate revocation. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Maui County and Savannah have day limits for Airbnb?
Maui County has no annual day limit. Savannah has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Maui County or Savannah?
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. Savannah charges $400 initial application; $250/year renewal with 8% local hotel/motel tax + 7% state sales tax. Automatic tax collection in Savannah makes compliance easier for beginners.