Pennsylvania Short-Term Rental Laws by City (2026)
Short-term rental rules in Pennsylvania are set city by city — a property that is legal to rent nightly in one town can be prohibited a few miles away. The table below covers 1 Pennsylvania city (1 human-verified against official sources), with each city's legal status, permit cost, and last-verified date.
Statewide short-term rental rules in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has no statewide short-term rental license, registration, or permit, and no law preempting local regulation — cities, boroughs, and townships control STRs through zoning under the Municipalities Planning Code, and the PA Supreme Court's 2019 Slice of Life decision let a township exclude purely transient rentals from a single-family residential district. The main statewide obligation is tax: a 6% state hotel occupancy tax (plus a 1% state-administered local tax in Allegheny County and Philadelphia) applies to stays under 30 days, and since Act 109 of 2018 booking platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo must collect and remit it. A first-of-its-kind statewide registration framework (HB 2303) was introduced in March 2026 but remains in committee. City and county rules apply on top of state law — check your local market's page.
| City | Status | Permit fee | Last verified |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | Permit required | $150 | July 12, 2026 |
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This page is informational only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Regulations change frequently — verify current requirements with each jurisdiction before operating. HOA and condo rules may prohibit short-term rentals regardless of city law.