Short-Term Rental Regulations in Pennsylvania

State Overview
Pennsylvania has no state preemption law for STRs. Municipalities retain full authority to regulate or restrict short-term rentals through local zoning ordinances. The state imposes a 6% Hotel Occupancy Tax in addition to any local taxes.

Cities in Pennsylvania

City Permit Tax Rate Day Limit Primary Res.
East Stroudsburg ✓ Required 9% No limit No
Lebanon ✓ Required 11% No limit Varies
Mount Pocono ✓ Required 9% No annual cap · per-stay limit No
Philadelphia ✓ Required 15.5% No limit Varies
Pittsburgh ✓ Required 14% No annual cap No
Pocono Township ✓ Required 9% No annual cap · per-stay limit No
Reading ✓ Required 11% No limit No
State College ✓ Required 11% 120 days Required
Stroudsburg ✓ Required 9% No limit No

Pennsylvania's STR Landscape

Pennsylvania does not have a uniform STR framework, leaving regulation to individual municipalities. The state imposes a 6% Hotel Occupancy Tax in addition to local taxes.

Regulation varies significantly across cities. Some cities (Lebanon, Philadelphia, State College) require primary residence, while others (East Stroudsburg, Mount Pocono, Pittsburgh, Pocono Township, Reading, Stroudsburg) allow non-owner-occupied rentals. Tax rates vary from 9% to 15.5%.

Popular Short-Term Rental Markets

High-demand markets in other states — compare their permit, tax, and day-limit rules:

Other States

Alabama 7 cities Alaska 1 city Arizona 9 cities Arkansas 3 cities California 30 cities Colorado 12 cities Connecticut 1 city Delaware 2 cities District of Columbia 1 city Florida 24 cities Georgia 8 cities Hawaii 4 cities Idaho 3 cities Illinois 7 cities Indiana 4 cities Kentucky 3 cities Louisiana 2 cities Maine 4 cities Maryland 4 cities Massachusetts 6 cities Michigan 8 cities Minnesota 3 cities Mississippi 3 cities Missouri 5 cities Montana 3 cities Nevada 1 city New Hampshire 2 cities New Jersey 5 cities New Mexico 3 cities New York 12 cities North Carolina 7 cities Ohio 7 cities Oklahoma 3 cities Oregon 3 cities Rhode Island 2 cities South Carolina 9 cities South Dakota 2 cities Tennessee 7 cities Texas 15 cities Utah 7 cities Vermont 2 cities Virginia 6 cities Washington 5 cities West Virginia 2 cities Wisconsin 6 cities Wyoming 1 city