Pennsylvania short-term rental regulations

State College requires all short-term rental hosts to obtain an annual license and a separate CRCA safety permit.

Permit fee $3000.1% tax

Hershey

Pennsylvania

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

Permit fee $2500.1% tax

Bethlehem

Pennsylvania

Short-term rentals in Bethlehem are strictly regulated under Article 1741 and are primarily limited to owner-occupied residences renting a maximum of two...

Permit fee $750.1% tax

Poconos

Pennsylvania

Short-term rentals (Transient Dwelling Use) in Pocono Township are only permitted in Commercial and Recreation zoning districts and require an annual license...

0.1% tax

Strict

Heavy restrictions apply

3 markets

Heavy regulation: caps, primary-residence rules, lottery permits, or night limits.

Harrisburg

Pennsylvania

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...

Permit fee $2000.2% tax

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...

Permit fee $450.1% tax

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania

Strict

Philadelphia strictly regulates short-term rentals under 'Limited Lodging' rules, which require the home to be the host's primary residence.

Permit fee $1500.2% tax

Moderate

Permit required · STRs broadly allowed

7 markets

Permit + tax registration required; otherwise STRs are broadly allowed.

Bensalem

Pennsylvania

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

Permit fee $1550.1% tax

Easton

Pennsylvania

Easton requires short-term rentals to obtain an annual license, pass a yearly inspection, and maintain a 500-foot buffer from other STR properties.

Permit fee $2600.1% tax

Erie

Pennsylvania

Short-term rentals in the City of Erie require both a Zoning Certificate and an annual Short-Term Rental License, with mandatory safety inspections and...

Permit fee $800.1% tax

King Of Prussia

Pennsylvania

Short-term rentals in King of Prussia are regulated by Upper Merion Township, requiring an annual permit, a 10% total tax, and mandatory life safety...

Permit fee $850.1% tax

Villanova

Pennsylvania

Short-term rentals in Villanova must comply with township-level rental licensing requirements and restrictive zoning definitions that often limit occupancy to...

Permit fee $700.1% tax

Lewisburg

Pennsylvania

Lewisburg requires all short-term rentals to obtain a zoning permit and an annual or biennial license based on owner-occupancy status.

Permit fee $800.1% tax

Allentown

Pennsylvania

Allentown requires short-term rental operators to obtain an annual Residential Rental License, undergo regular safety inspections, and maintain a local...