What are the key requirements for Harrisburg hosts?

400-foot separation requirement applies between non-owner-occupied STRs in residential areas.

What are the key requirements for Harrisburg hosts?

Parking mandate: Must provide 1 space per bedroom plus 1 additional space.

What should Harrisburg hosts know about owner-occupancy is strictly required for?

Owner-occupancy is strictly required for all STRs in R-1 and R-2 districts.

What are the key requirements for Harrisburg hosts?

City Occupancy Tax (6%) must be filed monthly by the 20th of the following month.

Harrisburg

Strict

STRs Allowed

PennsylvaniaLast updated: February 10, 2026

Baseline Verification

100%

Basic verification complete

Verified: Feb 9, 2026

Summary

Harrisburg requires a mandatory Short-Term Rental License, enforces strict zoning based on owner-occupancy, and levies a 6% city occupancy tax in addition to state and county taxes.

Restriction Level

⛔

Strict

Score: 76 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Primary residence required
•Owner-occupied required
•Standard permit fee: $200
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap

In Plain English

Hosts in Harrisburg must obtain a specific STR license and a business license to operate legally. In residential neighborhoods (R-1/R-2), rentals are only allowed if the owner lives on-site; otherwise, they are restricted to commercial zones with a required 400-foot buffer between units. Hosts are also responsible for paying 17% in total taxes, including a 6% city tax that went into effect in 2026.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Required

Total Tax Rate

0.2%

Permit Fee

$200

Processing Time

3-6 weeks

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Regulation Details

Eligibility(5)

•Harrisburg: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
•Harrisburg does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
•Harrisburg allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Multifamily (up to 3 units), Townhouse, Condo.

Requirements(13)

•Harrisburg STR warning: Owner-occupancy is strictly required for all STRs in R-1 and R-2 districts.
•Harrisburg: You must display your permit/registration number on your Airbnb listing.
•Harrisburg: Hosts must report their rental activity monthly to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.

Application Process(8)

•Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Harrisburg: Step 1: Register with PA Department of Revenue - Obtain a Pennsylvania Sales, Use, and Hotel Occupancy Tax License. This is required even if platforms collect tax, unless you use platforms exclusively (though many local permits still require the ID). Documents needed: SSN or EIN, Business Entity details. Estimated time: 1-2 weeks. More info: https://mypath.pa.gov/ Step 2: Obtain City Business Privilege License - Short-term rentals generating more than $5,000 annually must obtain a Business Privilege License from the Bureau of Licensing and Taxation. Documents needed: Business Registration Form. Estimated time: 1-2 weeks. Cost: 50. More info: https://harrisburgpa.gov/licensing-taxation-central-support/ Step 3: Submit Short-Term Rental License Application - Apply through the Department of Building and Housing Development. Specify if the unit is owner-occupied or non-owner occupied. Documents needed: Proof of Ownership, Liability Insurance, Certificate of Occupancy. Estimated time: 2-4 weeks. Cost: 200. More info: https://harrisburgpa.gov/building-housing/ Step 4: Pass Fire Safety and Code Inspection - Schedule and pass an annual inspection by the Bureau of Codes to ensure the property meets fire, health, and building standards. Documents needed: Inspection Checklist. Estimated time: 1 week. More info: https://harrisburgpa.gov/codes/

Fees & Costs(1)

•Harrisburg charges a registration fee of $200 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $350 ($350 annual fee for non-owner-occupied investment properties).

Taxes(4)

•Pennsylvania has a state sales tax of 0.06% that applies to STR rentals.
•Harrisburg charges a City Occupancy Tax of 0.06%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting this tax. Note: New city tax typically requires direct host remittance; verify current platform agreements.

Limits & Restrictions(4)

•Harrisburg limits STRs to a maximum of 8 guests. Formula: Maximum of 8 guests in residential districts (R-1/R-2)
•Harrisburg enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
•Harrisburg occupancy calculation: Maximum of 8 guests in residential districts (R-1/R-2). Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•Harrisburg limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Harrisburg requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Lead-based paint hazard compliance, Sturdy stairs and railings, E-911 address posted near front door.

Penalties(3)

•Harrisburg: Serious or repeated STR violations can result in criminal charges, not just fines.
•Harrisburg: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(2)

•Harrisburg exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Hotels, Bed and Breakfasts.
•Harrisburg: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Other Pennsylvania Markets

Scranton

Pennsylvania

Strict

Scranton requires all short-term rentals to obtain an annual rental license, satisfy primary residency requirements, and provide one off-street parking space per guest bedroom.

Permit requiredPrimary residence

0.1% total tax

Hershey

Pennsylvania

Prohibited

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Hershey are regulated by Derry Township and are only permitted in specific commercial and mixed-use zoning districts, with residential zones strictly prohibited.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Bensalem

Pennsylvania

Moderate

Bensalem regulates short-term rentals under its general residential rental licensing program, requiring annual inspections and compliance with Bucks County and state tax mandates.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

State College

Pennsylvania

Prohibited

State College requires all short-term rental hosts to obtain an annual license and a separate CRCA safety permit. Properties must be the host's primary residence (8+ months/year) and are capped at 120 rental nights per year.

Permit requiredNight limitsPrimary residence

Harrisburg

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(5)

Requirements(13)

Application Process(8)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(4)

Limits & Restrictions(4)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(3)

Exemptions(2)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Harrisburg

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Harrisburg?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Harrisburg?

3Are there zoning restrictions for rentals in Harrisburg?

4What are the penalties for non-compliance in Harrisburg?

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