What are the key requirements for State College hosts?

You cannot rent out a second home or investment property; it MUST be your primary residence.

Are there rental limits in State College?

Stays are capped at 120 nights per license year, regardless of whether you are present or not.

What are the key requirements for State College hosts?

You must provide one on-site parking space for every bedroom rented to guests.

What are the key requirements for State College hosts?

A 'Person in Charge' (PIC) must be identified who lives within 25 miles and is available 24/7.

What are the key requirements for State College hosts?

You must maintain an activity log of all guests and parking which must be submitted upon renewal.

What should State College hosts know about if you accumulate 10 nuisance?

If you accumulate 10 nuisance points (noise, trash, etc.) in a year, your license will be revoked.

Are there rental limits in State College?

Safety inspections by CRCA are now mandatory for ALL short-term rentals, even for 1-night stays.

State College

Prohibited

STRs Allowed

PennsylvaniaLast updated: February 17, 2026

Baseline Verification

100%

Basic verification complete

Verified: Feb 4, 2026

Summary

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.

Restriction Level

🚫

Prohibited

Score: 100 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Primary residence required
•Owner-occupied required
•Moderate night cap: 120 nights/year
•Moderate permit fee: $300
•Limited to 1 property per owner
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•Tenants can host

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in State College, you must live in the home yourself for at least 8 months out of the year. You are required to get two separate permits: one from the Borough for the STR license ($300/year) and one from the Centre Region Code Administration (CRCA) which includes a safety inspection. Your home can only be rented for a maximum of 120 nights per year, and you must provide one off-street parking space for every bedroom you rent out.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

120/year

Primary Residence

Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$300

Processing Time

30 days

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.You cannot rent out a second home or investment property; it MUST be your primary residence.
2.Stays are capped at 120 nights per license year, regardless of whether you are present or not.
3.You must provide one on-site parking space for every bedroom rented to guests.
4.A 'Person in Charge' (PIC) must be identified who lives within 25 miles and is available 24/7.
5.You must maintain an activity log of all guests and parking which must be submitted upon renewal.
6.If you accumulate 10 nuisance points (noise, trash, etc.) in a year, your license will be revoked.
7.Safety inspections by CRCA are now mandatory for ALL short-term rentals, even for 1-night stays.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(8)

•State College: You cannot rent out a second home or investment property; it MUST be your primary residence.
•State College prohibits STRs in the following property types: Tourist Homes (properties used solely for STR in residential zones), Fraternities, Student housing where specifically restricted.
•State College limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.

Requirements(17)

•State College requires STR registration. The permit is called "Short-Term Rental License". Apply through Planning Department. Processing time: 30 days. Renewal is required.
•State College STR warning: Stays are capped at 120 nights per license year, regardless of whether you are present or not.

Application Process(8)

•State College STR permit - Step 2: Apply for CRCA Rental Housing Permit. Obtain the required standard rental permit from the Centre Region Code Administration. This includes a safety inspection. Required documents: CRCA Application Form. Time: 2-3 weeks. Cost: 94.

Fees & Costs(1)

•State College charges a registration fee of $300 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $69 (Safety inspection fee ($47 code admin + $22 borough fee) required every 3 years).

Taxes(2)

•State College charges a Centre County Hotel Tax of 0.05%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb collects 6% State Sales Tax and 5% Centre County Tax in PA.
•PA has a state sales tax of 6% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & Restrictions(8)

•State College limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
•State College enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM (per noise ordinance).
•State College: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
•State College limits STRs to 120 nights per year. This applies to all rentals.

Safety Requirements(1)

•State College requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Interior/exterior safety inspection by CRCA every 3 years, Review of heating and electrical systems, Handrails and egress verification.

Penalties(3)

•State College: If you accumulate 10 nuisance points (noise, trash, etc.) in a year, your license will be revoked.
•State College enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $300. Second offense: $600. Third offense: $1000. Daily fine: $300 - $1000. Maximum fine: $1000 per violation. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions(2)

•State College exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), Hotels and motels, Bed and breakfasts with valid zoning permits.
•State College: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

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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

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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

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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

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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

Harrisburg

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Strict

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.

Permit requiredPrimary residence

0.2% total tax

State College

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(8)

Requirements(17)

Application Process(8)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(8)

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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Hershey

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State College

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in State College?

3Are there restrictions on how many nights I can rent my State College property?

4Can I rent out a property that is not my primary residence in State College?

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