What are the key requirements for Allentown hosts?

A local 'Responsible Agent' must be designated if the property owner lives outside Lehigh County.

What should Allentown hosts know about rental licenses expire annually on?

Rental licenses expire annually on December 31, regardless of when they were first issued.

What should Allentown hosts know about property inspections are required at?

Property inspections are required at least once every 5 years or whenever a new license is applied for.

What are the key requirements for Allentown hosts?

The 4% Lehigh County Hotel Tax must be remitted directly to the County Treasurer.

Allentown

Moderate

PennsylvaniaUpdated Apr 16, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 6, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

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

Restriction level

Severity 8

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement
Tenants can host

In plain English

What this means for you

To host a short-term rental in Allentown, you must register your property as a residential rental unit and obtain a city business license. You are required to pass a safety inspection (usually once every five years or upon initial application) and must appoint a local contact person if you live outside of Lehigh County.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$75

Processing time2-4 weeks

Max fine$1,000

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1A local 'Responsible Agent' must be designated if the property owner lives outside Lehigh County.
2Rental licenses expire annually on December 31, regardless of when they were first issued.
3Property inspections are required at least once every 5 years or whenever a new license is applied for.
4The 4% Lehigh County Hotel Tax must be remitted directly to the County Treasurer.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility5 rules

Allentown: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Allentown does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Allentown allows tenants to host STRs. Requirements: Requires owner authorization and rental licensing.
Allentown: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements14 rules

Allentown STR warning: Property inspections are required at least once every 5 years or whenever a new license is applied for.
Allentown requires STR registration. The permit is called "Residential Rental License". Apply through Bureau of Building Standards and Safety. Processing time: 2-4 weeks. Renewal is required.

Application process8 rules

Allentown STR permit - Step 4: Register for Taxes. Register with the PA Department of Revenue for Sales/Hotel tax and the Lehigh County Treasurer for the 4% Hotel Room Rental Tax. Required documents: Tax Registration Forms. Time: 1 week.

Fees & costs1 rule

Allentown charges a registration fee of $75 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $35 (Annual General Business License fee).

Taxes2 rules

Pennsylvania has a state sales tax of 0.06% that applies to STR rentals.
Allentown: The 4% Lehigh County Hotel Tax must be remitted directly to the County Treasurer.

Limits & restrictions3 rules

Allentown enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
Allentown occupancy calculation: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional guests. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Allentown limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.

Safety requirements1 rule

Allentown requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Egress windows, Functioning electrical systems, Sanitation standards compliance.

Penalties2 rules

Allentown: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Allentown enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500 fine. Second offense: $1000 fine. Third offense: License revocation. Daily fine: $100-$500. Maximum fine: 1000. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions2 rules

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

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Allentown

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Obtain City Business License

1 week$35

Documents needed

In-City Business Application

Official resource

Step 2

Submit Residential Rental Registration

Apply for the rental license through the Bureau of Building Standards and Safety. Designate a local responsible agent if the owner resides outside Lehigh County.

1-2 weeks$75

Documents needed

Registration Form
Proof of Insurance
Responsible Agent Form

Official resource

Step 3

Pass Safety Inspection

Schedule and pass a physical inspection by a city housing inspector to verify compliance with safety and property maintenance codes.

2-3 weeksFree

Step 4

Register for Taxes

Register with the PA Department of Revenue for Sales/Hotel tax and the Lehigh County Treasurer for the 4% Hotel Room Rental Tax.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Tax Registration Forms

Official resource

Frequently asked questions

4 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes 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.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Allentown

Moderate

PennsylvaniaUpdated Apr 16, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 6, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

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

Restriction level

Severity 8

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement
Tenants can host

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$75

Processing time2-4 weeks

Max fine$1,000

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1A local 'Responsible Agent' must be designated if the property owner lives outside Lehigh County.
2Rental licenses expire annually on December 31, regardless of when they were first issued.
3Property inspections are required at least once every 5 years or whenever a new license is applied for.
4The 4% Lehigh County Hotel Tax must be remitted directly to the County Treasurer.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility5 rules

Allentown: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Allentown does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Allentown allows tenants to host STRs. Requirements: Requires owner authorization and rental licensing.
Allentown: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements14 rules

Allentown STR warning: Property inspections are required at least once every 5 years or whenever a new license is applied for.
Allentown requires STR registration. The permit is called "Residential Rental License". Apply through Bureau of Building Standards and Safety. Processing time: 2-4 weeks. Renewal is required.

Application process8 rules

Allentown STR permit - Step 4: Register for Taxes. Register with the PA Department of Revenue for Sales/Hotel tax and the Lehigh County Treasurer for the 4% Hotel Room Rental Tax. Required documents: Tax Registration Forms. Time: 1 week.

Fees & costs1 rule

Allentown charges a registration fee of $75 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $35 (Annual General Business License fee).

Taxes2 rules

Pennsylvania has a state sales tax of 0.06% that applies to STR rentals.
Allentown: The 4% Lehigh County Hotel Tax must be remitted directly to the County Treasurer.

Limits & restrictions3 rules

Allentown enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
Allentown occupancy calculation: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional guests. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Allentown limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.

Safety requirements1 rule

Allentown requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Egress windows, Functioning electrical systems, Sanitation standards compliance.

Penalties2 rules

Allentown: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Allentown enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500 fine. Second offense: $1000 fine. Third offense: License revocation. Daily fine: $100-$500. Maximum fine: 1000. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions2 rules

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

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Allentown

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Obtain City Business License

1 week$35

Documents needed

In-City Business Application

Official resource

Step 2

Submit Residential Rental Registration

Apply for the rental license through the Bureau of Building Standards and Safety. Designate a local responsible agent if the owner resides outside Lehigh County.

1-2 weeks$75

Documents needed

Registration Form
Proof of Insurance
Responsible Agent Form

Official resource

Step 3

Pass Safety Inspection

Schedule and pass a physical inspection by a city housing inspector to verify compliance with safety and property maintenance codes.

2-3 weeksFree

Step 4

Register for Taxes

Register with the PA Department of Revenue for Sales/Hotel tax and the Lehigh County Treasurer for the 4% Hotel Room Rental Tax.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Tax Registration Forms

Official resource

Frequently asked questions

4 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Obtain City Business License

Submit Residential Rental Registration

Pass Safety Inspection

Register for Taxes

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the short-term rental tax rate in Allentown?

3Are there inspection requirements for Allentown rentals?

4Is a local contact person required for Allentown hosts?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Obtain City Business License

Submit Residential Rental Registration

Pass Safety Inspection

Register for Taxes

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the short-term rental tax rate in Allentown?

3Are there inspection requirements for Allentown rentals?

4Is a local contact person required for Allentown hosts?

Disclaimer