Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Philadelphia?

Yes. Philadelphia requires Limited Lodging Operator License, and the fee is $150. Short-term rentals (under 30 consecutive days) are legal in Philadelphia but require a zoning permit plus a license before listing: primary residents need a $150/year Limited Lodging Operator License, while non-primary-residence STRs need a Rental License with hotel designation ($69/unit/year) and a Visitor Accommodations zoning permit that is only available by right in certain commercial/mixed-use districts, not in lower-density residential neighborhoods. The biggest restriction is that investor-style STRs (no primary resident) are effectively shut out of most residential zoning districts, and platforms must delist any unit without a valid city license number. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.

How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Philadelphia?

The Limited Lodging Operator License fee in Philadelphia is $150, renewed annual. $150/year for the Limited Lodging Operator License (primary residences); a non-refundable $20 application fee counts toward the total. A free Commercial Activity License and a Limited Lodging zoning permit are also required, plus lead-safe certification and a virtual L&I inspection. Non-primary-residence STRs instead need a Visitor Accommodations zoning permit and a Rental License with hotel designation at $69 per unit per year. Platforms/booking agents pay $7,000 initial / $5,000 annual renewal for a Limited Lodging and Hotels Booking Agent License.

How to get a short-term rental permit in Philadelphia, PA (2026)

Philadelphia requires Limited Lodging Operator License — the fee is $150, renewed annual. Here's how to get and keep it.

Permit at a glance

Permit required	Yes
Permit name	Limited Lodging Operator License
Permit fee	$150
Renewal	Annual

Step by step

1
Confirm your property is eligible
Confirm the property's zoning allows short-term rentals. Two zoning paths exist. (1) Limited Lodging: an accessory use to Household Living, available citywide where residential use is permitted, but only when a primary resident (owner with homestead exemption, or an owner-authorized tenant living there more than half the year) operates it; in the Tenth Council District the operator must also own the property. The unit may not be occupied by more than three unrelated persons, rentals to any visitor are capped at 30 consecutive days, and a Limited Lodging zoning permit is required for any amount of STR activity. (2) Visitor Accommodations: a commercial use for units with no primary resident; it is not permitted in lower-density residential districts and is only by-right in some commercial/industrial districts (otherwise a ZBA variance or special exception is needed), and requires a hotel-designated Rental License. The former 90-day no-permit tier and 180-day annual cap were repealed by Bill 210081 (2021).
2
Apply for the Limited Lodging Operator License
Submit the Limited Lodging Operator License application to Philadelphia and pay the $150 fee. $150/year for the Limited Lodging Operator License (primary residences); a non-refundable $20 application fee counts toward the total. A free Commercial Activity License and a Limited Lodging zoning permit are also required, plus lead-safe certification and a virtual L&I inspection. Non-primary-residence STRs instead need a Visitor Accommodations zoning permit and a Rental License with hotel designation at $69 per unit per year. Platforms/booking agents pay $7,000 initial / $5,000 annual renewal for a Limited Lodging and Hotels Booking Agent License.
3
Register for occupancy taxes
Register to collect and remit the applicable lodging/occupancy taxes for Philadelphia. Some are collected automatically by the booking platform and some you may need to remit yourself.
4
Renew on schedule
The permit renews annual — set a reminder so it never lapses, since operating on an expired permit typically triggers fines.

STR rules change without warning.

Get an email the moment Philadelphia changes its short-term rental rules — plus renewal reminders before your permit expires.

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Verified July 12, 2026. Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Permit requirements and fees change; confirm current requirements with Philadelphia before applying.

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