What are the key requirements for Bethlehem hosts?

Owner MUST be present in the home during the entire guest stay

What should Bethlehem hosts know about max 2 bedrooms can be?

Max 2 bedrooms can be rented out simultaneously

What should Bethlehem hosts know about short-term rentals are prohibited in?

Short-term rentals are prohibited in accessory structures or ADUs

What should Bethlehem hosts know about mandatory annual license renewal and?

Mandatory annual license renewal and periodic housing inspections

Bethlehem

Prohibited

PennsylvaniaUpdated Mar 8, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 7, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

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

Restriction level

Severity 100

Classification

Prohibited

100

Severity

Why this classification

Primary residence required
Owner-occupied required
Host presence required (hosted-only)
Limited to 1 property per owner
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap

In plain English

What this means for you

To run a short-term rental in Bethlehem, you must live in the home and be present during the guest's stay. You are limited to renting out a maximum of two bedrooms to guests staying between 24 hours and 30 days, and you must obtain a specific city license and pass an inspection.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$75

Processing time2-4 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Owner MUST be present in the home during the entire guest stay
2Max 2 bedrooms can be rented out simultaneously
3Short-term rentals are prohibited in accessory structures or ADUs
4Mandatory annual license renewal and periodic housing inspections

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility9 rules

Bethlehem: The permit holder must personally manage the listing - third-party property managers may not be allowed.
Bethlehem requires that the property be the host's primary residence. Primary residence is defined as: The owner must occupy the residence for the entire duration of the guest's stay.
Bethlehem limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.

Requirements13 rules

Bethlehem: Hosts must report their rental activity annual to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.
Bethlehem: Owner MUST be present in the home during the entire guest stay
Bethlehem: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.
Bethlehem STR warning: Owner MUST be present in the home during the entire guest stay

Application process7 rules

Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Bethlehem: Step 1: Apply for Business Privilege Tax License - Register your rental business with the City of Bethlehem Tax Bureau to obtain the required $25 annual business license. Documents needed: Business license application, Photo ID. Estimated time: 7-10 days. Cost: 25. More info: https://www.bethlehem-pa.gov/Finance/Tax-Bureau Step 2: Submit Short Term Lodging License Application - Complete the application form and provide a detailed, accurately drawn floor plan of the residence showing all exits, bedrooms, and safety devices. Documents needed: Floor plan, Proof of primary residence, Business license copy. Estimated time: 14-21 days. Cost: 75. More info: https://www.bethlehem-pa.gov/Community-Economic-Development/Housing-Inspections/Rental-Licensing Step 3: Pass Housing Inspection - Schedule and pass a mandatory inspection by the Bureau of Housing to ensure code compliance for life safety and residential standards. Estimated time: 7-14 days. Cost: 100.

Fees & costs1 rule

Bethlehem charges a registration fee of $75 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $100 (A $100 inspection fee is required every 3 years; an additional $25 annual Business Privilege Tax license fee is also required.).

Taxes1 rule

Pennsylvania has a state sales tax of 0.06% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions5 rules

Bethlehem limits stays to a maximum of 30 nights.
Bethlehem occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests; maximum of 2 bedrooms allowed.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Bethlehem: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.

Safety requirements1 rule

Bethlehem requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, GFI outlets within 6ft of water, E-911 address posted conspicuously, Floor plan indicating fire exits and alarm locations.

Penalties2 rules

Bethlehem: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Bethlehem enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Citation and potential fine. Second offense: Increased fines and potential suspension. Third offense: License revocation. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions2 rules

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

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Bethlehem

0/3

steps completed

Step 1

Apply for Business Privilege Tax License

7-10 days$25

Documents needed

Business license application
Photo ID

Official resource

Step 2

Submit Short Term Lodging License Application

Complete the application form and provide a detailed, accurately drawn floor plan of the residence showing all exits, bedrooms, and safety devices.

14-21 days$75

Documents needed

Floor plan
Proof of primary residence
Business license copy

Official resource

Step 3

Pass Housing Inspection

Schedule and pass a mandatory inspection by the Bureau of Housing to ensure code compliance for life safety and residential standards.

7-14 days$100

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

Bethlehem

Prohibited

PennsylvaniaUpdated Mar 8, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 7, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

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

Restriction level

Severity 100

Classification

Prohibited

100

Severity

Why this classification

Primary residence required
Owner-occupied required
Host presence required (hosted-only)
Limited to 1 property per owner
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$75

Processing time2-4 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Owner MUST be present in the home during the entire guest stay
2Max 2 bedrooms can be rented out simultaneously
3Short-term rentals are prohibited in accessory structures or ADUs
4Mandatory annual license renewal and periodic housing inspections

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility9 rules

Bethlehem: The permit holder must personally manage the listing - third-party property managers may not be allowed.
Bethlehem requires that the property be the host's primary residence. Primary residence is defined as: The owner must occupy the residence for the entire duration of the guest's stay.
Bethlehem limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.

Requirements13 rules

Bethlehem: Hosts must report their rental activity annual to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.
Bethlehem: Owner MUST be present in the home during the entire guest stay
Bethlehem: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.
Bethlehem STR warning: Owner MUST be present in the home during the entire guest stay

Application process7 rules

Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Bethlehem: Step 1: Apply for Business Privilege Tax License - Register your rental business with the City of Bethlehem Tax Bureau to obtain the required $25 annual business license. Documents needed: Business license application, Photo ID. Estimated time: 7-10 days. Cost: 25. More info: https://www.bethlehem-pa.gov/Finance/Tax-Bureau Step 2: Submit Short Term Lodging License Application - Complete the application form and provide a detailed, accurately drawn floor plan of the residence showing all exits, bedrooms, and safety devices. Documents needed: Floor plan, Proof of primary residence, Business license copy. Estimated time: 14-21 days. Cost: 75. More info: https://www.bethlehem-pa.gov/Community-Economic-Development/Housing-Inspections/Rental-Licensing Step 3: Pass Housing Inspection - Schedule and pass a mandatory inspection by the Bureau of Housing to ensure code compliance for life safety and residential standards. Estimated time: 7-14 days. Cost: 100.

Fees & costs1 rule

Bethlehem charges a registration fee of $75 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $100 (A $100 inspection fee is required every 3 years; an additional $25 annual Business Privilege Tax license fee is also required.).

Taxes1 rule

Pennsylvania has a state sales tax of 0.06% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions5 rules

Bethlehem limits stays to a maximum of 30 nights.
Bethlehem occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests; maximum of 2 bedrooms allowed.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Bethlehem: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.

Safety requirements1 rule

Bethlehem requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, GFI outlets within 6ft of water, E-911 address posted conspicuously, Floor plan indicating fire exits and alarm locations.

Penalties2 rules

Bethlehem: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Bethlehem enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Citation and potential fine. Second offense: Increased fines and potential suspension. Third offense: License revocation. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions2 rules

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

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Bethlehem

0/3

steps completed

Step 1

Apply for Business Privilege Tax License

7-10 days$25

Documents needed

Business license application
Photo ID

Official resource

Step 2

Submit Short Term Lodging License Application

Complete the application form and provide a detailed, accurately drawn floor plan of the residence showing all exits, bedrooms, and safety devices.

14-21 days$75

Documents needed

Floor plan
Proof of primary residence
Business license copy

Official resource

Step 3

Pass Housing Inspection

Schedule and pass a mandatory inspection by the Bureau of Housing to ensure code compliance for life safety and residential standards.

7-14 days$100

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

Apply for Business Privilege Tax License

Submit Short Term Lodging License Application

Pass Housing Inspection

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Bethlehem?

3Are there rental night limits in Bethlehem?

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

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Apply for Business Privilege Tax License

Submit Short Term Lodging License Application

Pass Housing Inspection

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Bethlehem?

3Are there rental night limits in Bethlehem?

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

Disclaimer