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  1. Home
  2. ·
  3. Regulations
  4. ·
  5. Pennsylvania
  6. ·
  7. Scranton

Scranton

Strict
PennsylvaniaUpdated Mar 23, 2026
Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 12, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

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.

Restriction level

Severity 58
Classification
Strict
58
Severity

Why this classification

  • Primary residence required
  • Owner-occupied required
  • Limited to 1 property per owner
  • Permit required
  • Reporting required
  • Safety standards required
  • No night cap
  • Low permit fee
  • Tenants can host

In plain English

What this means for you

To host a short-term rental in Scranton, the property must be your primary residence where you live for at least six months of the year. You must register for an annual rental license by March 15, pass a safety inspection, and ensure you have dedicated off-street parking for every bedroom you rent out.

At a glance

Key numbers
Permit requiredYes
Night limitNone
Primary residenceRequired
Total tax rate0.1%
Permit fee$45
Processing time2-4 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps
  1. 1Primary residency is strictly enforced; properties must be the owner's permanent address.
  2. 2Off-street parking is mandatory at 1 space per guest bedroom.
  3. 3Rental licenses must be renewed every year by March 15.
  4. 4Non-owner-occupied STRs are prohibited in many residential zones following the 2019 PA Supreme Court 'Slice of Life' ruling.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code
Eligibility7 rules
  • Scranton: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
  • Scranton limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.
  • Scranton requires that the property be the host's primary residence. Primary residence is defined as: Must be the owner's permanent address and occupied by the owner for at least 6 months per year.
Requirements15 rules
  • Scranton STR warning: Rental licenses must be renewed every year by March 15.
  • Scranton: You must display your permit/registration number on your Airbnb listing.
  • Scranton: Hosts must report their rental activity monthly to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.
Application process8 rules
  • How to set up an STR in Scranton: To host a short-term rental in Scranton, the property must be your primary residence where you live for at least six months of the year. You must register for an annual rental license by March 15, pass a safety inspection, and ensure you have dedicated off-street parking for every bedroom you rent out.
Fees & costs1 rule
  • Scranton charges a registration fee of $45 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $150 (Flat fee for properties with 4-9 units; $250 for 10-19 units.).
Taxes1 rule
  • Pennsylvania has a state sales tax of 0.06% that applies to STR rentals.
Limits & restrictions5 rules
  • Scranton occupancy calculation: 2 adults per bedroom; max 10 total guests. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
  • Scranton: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
  • Scranton limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests. Formula: 2 adults per bedroom; max 10 total guests
  • Scranton enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
Safety requirements1 rule
  • Scranton requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, One off-street parking space per bedroom, Safety inspection every three years, Working plumbing and heating.
Penalties3 rules
  • Scranton: Serious or repeated STR violations can result in criminal charges, not just fines.
  • Scranton enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Violation citation and fines. Second offense: Suspension of rental license. Third offense: Permit revocation and potential imprisonment. Permit may be revoked for violations. Criminal penalties may apply.
Exemptions2 rules
  • Scranton: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
  • Scranton exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Immediate family-occupied units (exempt from fees, not license).

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Scranton

0/4
steps completed
Step 1

Verify Zoning and Primary Residency

Confirm your property is in a permitted zone and that you occupy the property as your primary residence for at least 6 months of the year.

1 weekFree
Documents needed
  • Proof of Residency (Utility bills, ID)
Official resource
Step 2

Designate a Local Contact

Identify a local representative who lives within 20 miles of Scranton to be reachable 24/7 for emergencies or complaints.

1 dayFree
Documents needed
  • Local Agent contact information
Step 3

Apply for Rental License

Submit a formal Rental License application to the LIPS department, including proof of insurance and the required unit-based fee.

2 weeks$45
Documents needed
  • Application Form
  • Proof of Ownership
  • Insurance Certificate
Official resource
Step 4

Complete Health and Safety Inspection

The city will schedule a regular health and safety inspection. Pass this to maintain the license.

1-2 weeksFree
Documents needed
  • Completed Self-Inspection Health and Safety Report

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

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