What zoning rules apply to STRs in Villanova?

Occupancy is strictly limited by the zoning definition of 'Family', which in Radnor only allows 1 unrelated person to live with a family.

What are the permit fees in Villanova?

Villanova is split; Lower Merion properties pay a significantly higher annual fee ($255 vs $70).

What should Villanova hosts know about delaware county's hotel tax is?

Delaware County's hotel tax is increasing from 3% to 5% effective April 1, 2026.

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

Rental licenses expire annually on June 30th in Radnor Township.

Villanova

Moderate

PennsylvaniaUpdated Apr 8, 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

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

Restriction level

Severity 18

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

Because Villanova is split between two townships, you must first identify if your property is in Radnor or Lower Merion. Both townships require you to register your rental, pay an annual fee, and pass safety inspections. Be aware that local zoning rules are strict; renting to more than one unrelated person (like a group of friends) may violate the township's definition of a 'family'.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$70

Processing time2-4 weeks

Max fine$1,000

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Occupancy is strictly limited by the zoning definition of 'Family', which in Radnor only allows 1 unrelated person to live with a family.
2Villanova is split; Lower Merion properties pay a significantly higher annual fee ($255 vs $70).
3Delaware County's hotel tax is increasing from 3% to 5% effective April 1, 2026.
4Rental licenses expire annually on June 30th in Radnor Township.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility5 rules

Villanova: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Villanova allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Townhouse, Condo, Multi-Family.
Villanova does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Villanova does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements10 rules

Villanova STR warning: Delaware County's hotel tax is increasing from 3% to 5% effective April 1, 2026.
Villanova STR warning: Rental licenses expire annually on June 30th in Radnor Township.
Villanova: Rental licenses expire annually on June 30th in Radnor Township.

Application process7 rules

How to set up an STR in Villanova: Because Villanova is split between two townships, you must first identify if your property is in Radnor or Lower Merion. Both townships require you to register your rental, pay an annual fee, and pass safety inspections. Be aware that local zoning rules are strict; renting to more than one unrelated person (like a group of friends) may violate the township's definition of a 'family'.

Fees & costs2 rules

Villanova: Villanova is split; Lower Merion properties pay a significantly higher annual fee ($255 vs $70).
Villanova charges a registration fee of $70 (annual).

Taxes3 rules

Villanova: Delaware County's hotel tax is increasing from 3% to 5% effective April 1, 2026.
Pennsylvania has a state sales tax of 0.06% that applies to STR rentals.
Delaware County charges a Delaware County Hotel Motel Tax of 0.03%. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax.

Limits & restrictions4 rules

Villanova limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Villanova enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
Villanova occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom (limited by family definition). Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Villanova: Occupancy is strictly limited by the zoning definition of 'Family', which in Radnor only allows 1 unrelated person to live with a family.

Safety requirements1 rule

Villanova requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, GFI outlets within 6 feet of water, Aluminum exhaust for dryer, Stairs in good condition, Egress windows in sleeping areas.

Penalties2 rules

Villanova enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Double the license fee. Second offense: Fines up to $1,000. Third offense: License revocation. Maximum fine: 1000. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Villanova: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions2 rules

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

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Villanova

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Verify Jurisdiction

Confirm whether your property is located in Radnor Township or Lower Merion Township using the township parcel maps.

1 dayFree

Official resource

Step 2

Submit Rental License Application

Complete the Radnor Township Rental Housing Application and provide required owner/manager contact info.

1 week$70

Documents needed

Completed Application Form
Copy of written lease agreement

Official resource

Step 3

Schedule Inspection

Coordinate with the Code Official for a mandatory safety inspection of the dwelling unit.

1-2 weeksFree

Step 4

Register for Taxes

1 weekFree

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

Villanova

Moderate

PennsylvaniaUpdated Apr 8, 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

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

Restriction level

Severity 18

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

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$70

Processing time2-4 weeks

Max fine$1,000

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Occupancy is strictly limited by the zoning definition of 'Family', which in Radnor only allows 1 unrelated person to live with a family.
2Villanova is split; Lower Merion properties pay a significantly higher annual fee ($255 vs $70).
3Delaware County's hotel tax is increasing from 3% to 5% effective April 1, 2026.
4Rental licenses expire annually on June 30th in Radnor Township.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility5 rules

Villanova: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Villanova allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family, Townhouse, Condo, Multi-Family.
Villanova does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Villanova does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements10 rules

Villanova STR warning: Delaware County's hotel tax is increasing from 3% to 5% effective April 1, 2026.
Villanova STR warning: Rental licenses expire annually on June 30th in Radnor Township.
Villanova: Rental licenses expire annually on June 30th in Radnor Township.

Application process7 rules

How to set up an STR in Villanova: Because Villanova is split between two townships, you must first identify if your property is in Radnor or Lower Merion. Both townships require you to register your rental, pay an annual fee, and pass safety inspections. Be aware that local zoning rules are strict; renting to more than one unrelated person (like a group of friends) may violate the township's definition of a 'family'.

Fees & costs2 rules

Villanova: Villanova is split; Lower Merion properties pay a significantly higher annual fee ($255 vs $70).
Villanova charges a registration fee of $70 (annual).

Taxes3 rules

Villanova: Delaware County's hotel tax is increasing from 3% to 5% effective April 1, 2026.
Pennsylvania has a state sales tax of 0.06% that applies to STR rentals.
Delaware County charges a Delaware County Hotel Motel Tax of 0.03%. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax.

Limits & restrictions4 rules

Villanova limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Villanova enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
Villanova occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom (limited by family definition). Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Villanova: Occupancy is strictly limited by the zoning definition of 'Family', which in Radnor only allows 1 unrelated person to live with a family.

Safety requirements1 rule

Villanova requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, GFI outlets within 6 feet of water, Aluminum exhaust for dryer, Stairs in good condition, Egress windows in sleeping areas.

Penalties2 rules

Villanova enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Double the license fee. Second offense: Fines up to $1,000. Third offense: License revocation. Maximum fine: 1000. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Villanova: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions2 rules

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

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Villanova

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Verify Jurisdiction

Confirm whether your property is located in Radnor Township or Lower Merion Township using the township parcel maps.

1 dayFree

Official resource

Step 2

Submit Rental License Application

Complete the Radnor Township Rental Housing Application and provide required owner/manager contact info.

1 week$70

Documents needed

Completed Application Form
Copy of written lease agreement

Official resource

Step 3

Schedule Inspection

Coordinate with the Code Official for a mandatory safety inspection of the dwelling unit.

1-2 weeksFree

Step 4

Register for Taxes

1 weekFree

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

Verify Jurisdiction

Submit Rental License Application

Schedule Inspection

Register for Taxes

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Villanova?

3Are there occupancy limits for rentals in Villanova?

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

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Verify Jurisdiction

Submit Rental License Application

Schedule Inspection

Register for Taxes

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Villanova?

3Are there occupancy limits for rentals in Villanova?

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

Disclaimer