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

PennsylvaniaUpdated Feb 17, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 4, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

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

Severity 100

Classification

Prohibited

100

Severity

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

What this means for you

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

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limit120/year

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$300

Processing time30 days

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

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

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility8 rules

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.

Requirements17 rules

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 process8 rules

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 & costs1 rule

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).

Taxes2 rules

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 & restrictions8 rules

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 requirements1 rule

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.

Penalties3 rules

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.

Exemptions2 rules

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).

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for State College

0/3

steps completed

Step 1

Verify Primary Residence

Ensure you live in the property for at least 8 months a year. Gather two forms of ID (driver's license, voter registration, or tax return).

1 dayFree

Documents needed

Driver's License
Voter Registration

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.

2-3 weeks$94

Documents needed

CRCA Application Form

Official resource

Step 3

Submit Borough STR License Application

Complete the Borough Short-Term Rental License application and pay the $300 fee. Provide the CRCA permit and insurance proof.

30 days$300

Documents needed

Parking Plan
Liability Insurance Policy
Person in Charge Contact Info

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

State College

Prohibited

PennsylvaniaUpdated Feb 17, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 4, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Restriction level

Severity 100

Classification

Prohibited

100

Severity

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

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limit120/year

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$300

Processing time30 days

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

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

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility8 rules

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.

Requirements17 rules

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 process8 rules

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 & costs1 rule

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).

Taxes2 rules

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 & restrictions8 rules

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 requirements1 rule

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.

Penalties3 rules

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.

Exemptions2 rules

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).

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for State College

0/3

steps completed

Step 1

Verify Primary Residence

Ensure you live in the property for at least 8 months a year. Gather two forms of ID (driver's license, voter registration, or tax return).

1 dayFree

Documents needed

Driver's License
Voter Registration

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.

2-3 weeks$94

Documents needed

CRCA Application Form

Official resource

Step 3

Submit Borough STR License Application

Complete the Borough Short-Term Rental License application and pay the $300 fee. Provide the CRCA permit and insurance proof.

30 days$300

Documents needed

Parking Plan
Liability Insurance Policy
Person in Charge Contact Info

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

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Verify Primary Residence

Apply for CRCA Rental Housing Permit

Submit Borough STR License Application

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?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Verify Primary Residence

Apply for CRCA Rental Housing Permit

Submit Borough STR License Application

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?

Disclaimer