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Kaohsiung

Taiwan
Restricted
Last updated: 2026-07-30  ·  Last verified: 2026-07-30  ·  Region: International

At a Glance — Kaohsiung Airbnb & STR Rules

RuleDetails
Regulatory StatusRestricted — rules apply
Permit / License RequiredYes
Tax RateBusiness Tax (VAT): 5% for licensed accommodation businesses; Income Tax on net revenue; Land Value Tax and Building Tax as applicable. No specific 't
Night / Day CapNo specific annual night cap; however, rentals under 30 days are legally classified as 'hotel-type business' and require a hotel or B&B license regard
Minimum StayLess than 30 days triggers hotel-type business classification under Taiwan's Hotel Management Act (旅館業管理規則).
Permit FeeLicense application fees and inspection charges governed by Kaohsiung City Government; fines for unlicensed operation range from NT$30,000–NT$1,500,00
PenaltiesFines of NT$30,000–NT$1,500,000 for unlicensed hotel operations under the Tourism Development Act. Properties can be ordered to cease operations. Repe
Primary Residence RequiredNot applicable for hotel/B&B license model. Residential units generally cannot be used for STR without a change of use and proper license.
Occupancy LimitSet per license type and room count under the Hotel Management Act and B&B (民宿) regulations; B&Bs limited to 5 rooms (15 rooms in special scenic areas
Browse all 3 STR regulations in Taiwan →

Kaohsiung Airbnb & Vacation Rental Regulation Overview

Kaohsiung Short-Term Rental Regulations Overview

Short-term rentals in Kaohsiung are allowed but subject to significant restrictions under local regulations as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes. The associated permit fees are License application fees and inspection charges governed by Kaohsiung City Government; fines for unl.

Tax Requirements for Airbnb Hosts in Kaohsiung

Short-term rental operators in Kaohsiung should be aware of these tax obligations: Business Tax (VAT): 5% for licensed accommodation businesses; Income Tax on net revenue; Land Value Tax and Building Tax as applicable. No specific 'tourist tax' currently legislated at Kaohsiung city level..

Hosting Rules and Restrictions in Kaohsiung

Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Kaohsiung include: Primary residence requirement: Not applicable for hotel/B&B license model. Residential units generally cannot be used for STR without a change of use a. Rental day cap: No specific annual night cap; however, rentals under 30 days are legally classified as 'hotel-type business' and require. Occupancy limit: Set per license type and room count under the Hotel Management Act and B&B (民宿) regulations; B&Bs limited to 5 rooms (15. Minimum stay: Less than 30 days triggers hotel-type business classification under Taiwan's Hotel Management Act (旅館業管理規則)..

Zoning and Location Requirements in Kaohsiung

Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Kaohsiung: Most residential units cannot legally be used for STR. B&B (民宿) licenses are only available in rural/scenic/indigenous/outlying island zones. Urban Kaohsiung residential areas are not eligible for B&B. Density rules: Unknown — no specific per-building or per-block density quota for Kaohsiung published in available sources.. Insurance: Public liability insurance required as part of hotel/B&B licensing conditions..

Penalties for Non-Compliance in Kaohsiung

Hosts who fail to comply with Kaohsiung's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Fines of NT$30,000–NT$1,500,000 for unlicensed hotel operations under the Tourism Development Act. Properties can be ordered to cease operations. Repeat offenders face escalating fines and potential c.

Platform Obligations in Kaohsiung

Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Kaohsiung: Platforms must only list licensed properties. Taiwan's Tourism Administration is intensifying enforcement; Airbnb and similar platforms face pressure to delist unlicensed units. In Q1 2026, Kaohsiung .

Full Regulatory Details

Regulatory Status
Restricted
License / Registration
Yes
Tax Registration
Yes
Permit Fee
License application fees and inspection charges governed by Kaohsiung City Government; fines for unlicensed operation range from NT$30,000–NT$1,500,000 under the Hotel Management Act. In Q1 2026 nationwide, 185 fines totalling NT$32.67 million (approx. USD 1 million) were issued across Taiwan.
Primary Residence Rule
Not applicable for hotel/B&B license model. Residential units generally cannot be used for STR without a change of use and proper license.
Night / Day Cap
No specific annual night cap; however, rentals under 30 days are legally classified as 'hotel-type business' and require a hotel or B&B license regardless of frequency.
Occupancy Limit
Set per license type and room count under the Hotel Management Act and B&B (民宿) regulations; B&Bs limited to 5 rooms (15 rooms in special scenic areas).
Tax Rate
Business Tax (VAT): 5% for licensed accommodation businesses; Income Tax on net revenue; Land Value Tax and Building Tax as applicable. No specific 'tourist tax' currently legislated at Kaohsiung city level.
Zoning Restrictions
Most residential units cannot legally be used for STR. B&B (民宿) licenses are only available in rural/scenic/indigenous/outlying island zones. Urban Kaohsiung residential areas are not eligible for B&B classification. Hotel licenses require commercial zoning.
Minimum Stay
Less than 30 days triggers hotel-type business classification under Taiwan's Hotel Management Act (旅館業管理規則).
Density Rules
Unknown — no specific per-building or per-block density quota for Kaohsiung published in available sources.
Insurance Required
Public liability insurance required as part of hotel/B&B licensing conditions.
Platform Obligations
Platforms must only list licensed properties. Taiwan's Tourism Administration is intensifying enforcement; Airbnb and similar platforms face pressure to delist unlicensed units. In Q1 2026, Kaohsiung had 113 identified illegal short-term rental suites.
Compliance Notes
As of April 2026, Taiwan's regulations remain highly restrictive, requiring all STR operations to hold specific licenses under the Tourism Development Act. The Tourism Administration conducted 934 hotel inspections nationwide in Q1 2026. Kaohsiung ranked third nationally for illegal STR units (113 in Q1 2026).
Effective Date
Hotel Management Act (旅館業管理規則) and Tourism Development Act framework: ongoing, with heightened enforcement from 2025–2026.
Key Notes
Operating an unlicensed STR in Kaohsiung is illegal. Licensing as a hotel or B&B requires meeting fire safety, building code, and zoning requirements. The Taiwan Tourism Administration has launched systematic crackdowns in early 2026 due to a surge in unlicensed properties amid rising tourism.
Penalties
Fines of NT$30,000–NT$1,500,000 for unlicensed hotel operations under the Tourism Development Act. Properties can be ordered to cease operations. Repeat offenders face escalating fines and potential criminal referral.
Additional Context
Kaohsiung City Government enforces the national framework through local inspections. Hosts in rural/suburban Kaohsiung county areas may be eligible for B&B (民宿) registration if the property meets locational and structural criteria under the B&B Management Regulations (民宿管理辦法).
📋 Apply / Register with the Official Authority

Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Airbnb legal in Kaohsiung?

Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Kaohsiung but subject to restrictions. Hosts must comply with local permit requirements and zoning rules. As of April 2026, Taiwan's regulations remain highly restrictive, requiring all STR operations to hold specific licenses under the Tourism Development Act. The Tourism Administration conducted 934 hot

Do you need a permit for Airbnb in Kaohsiung?

Yes. Kaohsiung requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes.

What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Kaohsiung?

Short-term rental hosts in Kaohsiung are subject to the following tax obligations: Business Tax (VAT): 5% for licensed accommodation businesses; Income Tax on net revenue; Land Value Tax and Building Tax as applicable. No specific 'tourist tax' currently legislated at Kaohsiung city level..

What are the penalties for illegal Airbnb hosting in Kaohsiung?

Hosts who operate without proper permits in Kaohsiung may face enforcement. Fines of NT$30,000–NT$1,500,000 for unlicensed hotel operations under the Tourism Development Act. Properties can be ordered to cease operations. Repeat offenders face escalating fines and potential criminal referral..

What are the key STR compliance requirements in Kaohsiung?

Operating an unlicensed STR in Kaohsiung is illegal. Licensing as a hotel or B&B requires meeting fire safety, building code, and zoning requirements. The Taiwan Tourism Administration has launched systematic crackdowns in early 2026 due to a surge in unlicensed properties amid rising tourism.

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