Pittsburgh Short-Term Rental Regulations

Last verified: 2026-07-04
TL;DR
Pittsburgh requires Residential Rental Permit under City Code Chapter 781 (Residential Housing Rental Permit Program) — a general rental-unit permit, not an STR-specific license; the Chapter expressly classifies owner short-term homestays (e.g., Airbnb) as rental units subject to its registration, inspection, and permitting requirements ($35.50) with no primary-residence requirement. Combined tax rate is 14%. No annual day limit.
⚠ Enforcement status
Registration/permitting for STR here is on the books but not yet actively enforced (reported as voluntary, with no penalties for non-compliance as of the last update). The “Required” status below reflects the ordinance text — confirm current enforcement before relying on it.
Disclaimer
This information is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or regulatory advice. Short-term rental regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your local government before listing your property or making investment decisions.
Key Requirements at a Glance
Permit ✓ Required — Residential Rental Permit under City Code Chapter 781 (Residential Housing Rental Permit Program) — a general rental-unit permit, not an STR-specific license; the Chapter expressly classifies owner short-term homestays (e.g., Airbnb) as rental units subject to its registration, inspection, and permitting requirements ($35.50)
Primary Residence Not required
Annual Day Limit No limit
Tax Rate 14%
Max Penalty $500 per unpermitted rental unit per month (summary offense under Chapter 781)
Insurance Not required

New to short-term rentals? Jump to the compliance checklist →

Permit & Licensing

Residential Rental Permit under City Code Chapter 781 (Residential Housing Rental Permit Program) — a general rental-unit permit, not an STR-specific license; the Chapter expressly classifies owner short-term homestays (e.g., Airbnb) as rental units subject to its registration, inspection, and permitting requirements

FeeAmount
Initial cost$35.50
Renewal$16.00 / 3 years

This permit type does not require primary residence.

Application Process

Owners register via the OneStopPGH portal or in person, pay registration/inspection fees, and the unit must pass a PLI inspection for IPMC/housing-code compliance before a non-provisional permit issues; a provisional permit is issued pending inspection. Critically, as of the city's official program page (last updated 6/6/2025), citywide compliance with this rental permit program remains VOLUNTARY and PLI is not yet enforcing it or penalizing non-compliance — full enforcement has not begun as of July 2026.

Tax Obligations

TaxRateAuthority
Pennsylvania Hotel Occupancy Tax 6% State of Pennsylvania
Allegheny County Local Hotel Tax (state-collected add-on) 1% County
Allegheny County Hotel Room Rental Tax 7% County

Combined rate: 14% of gross rental income.

Collection: Booking agents/platforms may collect and remit on behalf of operators, but each operator must independently register with the Allegheny County Treasurer's Special Tax Division, report taxable revenue, and provide proof the booking agent remitted the tax; for the state portion, hosts not exclusively using a compliant third-party broker must register for a PA Sales, Use, and Hotel Occupancy Tax License via myPATH.

Filing: Allegheny County Hotel Room Rental Tax: monthly for establishments with 15+ rooms, quarterly for smaller operators, both due by the 20th of the following month/quarter. PA state hotel occupancy tax filed and remitted electronically via myPATH.

Rental Limits

No maximum number of rental days per year under current City of Pittsburgh law. Chapter 781 governs registration, inspection, and permitting of rental units (including short-term homestays) but does not cap annual rental-day usage. Separate STR-specific legislation that could add usage restrictions has been introduced in City Council but was not enacted as of July 2026. Individual-stay rule: 29 days (fewer than 30 consecutive days to the same occupant triggers PA hotel occupancy tax; Chapter 781 sets no separate city-specific maximum stay length).

Zoning & Restrictions

Check with local government

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

Pittsburgh does not require short-term rental operators to carry specific insurance. Standard homeowner policies often exclude short-term rental activity, so many hosts obtain dedicated short-term rental or landlord liability coverage.

Safety & Operating Requirements

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Renting a unit without a valid rental permit is a summary offense, fined up to $500 per unit per month unregistered/unpermitted (Chapter 781); late tax payments to Allegheny County are separately subject to penalties, interest, and possible civil court collection action.

Platform Requirements

Compliance Checklist

Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Pittsburgh:

  1. Meet safety requirements. Rental units, including owner short-term homestays, must pass a PLI inspection confirming compliance with the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) and City of Pittsburgh housing/property-maintenance standards before a non-provisional permit is issued.
  2. Apply for Residential Rental Permit under City Code Chapter 781 (Residential Housing Rental Permit Program) — a general rental-unit permit, not an STR-specific license; the Chapter expressly classifies owner short-term homestays (e.g., Airbnb) as rental units subject to its registration, inspection, and permitting requirements. Submit application + $35.50 fee.
  3. Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with Allegheny County Treasurer — Special Tax Division (county Hotel Room Rental Tax); Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (state Hotel Occupancy Tax).
  4. Collect and remit taxes. 14% on all bookings.
  5. Renew every 3 years. $16.00 renewal fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Pittsburgh?
Yes. Operating a short-term rental — including an Airbnb or Vrbo — in Pittsburgh requires a short-term rental permit.
How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Pittsburgh?
A short-term rental permit in Pittsburgh costs $35.50 per year. Renewal is $16.00 per year.
Does Pittsburgh require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?
No. Pittsburgh allows non-owner-occupied short-term rentals, so investment properties can qualify provided you hold the required permit.
How many days a year can you short-term rent in Pittsburgh?
Pittsburgh's annual rental limit depends on the situation: No maximum number of rental days per year under current City of Pittsburgh law. Chapter 781 governs registration, inspection, and permitting of rental units (including short-term homestays) but does not cap annual rental-day usage. Separate STR-specific legislation that could add usage restrictions has been introduced in City Council but was not enacted as of July 2026.
What taxes do you pay on a short-term rental in Pittsburgh?
Short-term rental stays in Pittsburgh are subject to a combined 14% in lodging taxes. This combines 6% Pennsylvania Hotel Occupancy Tax + 1% Allegheny County Local Hotel Tax (state-collected add-on) + 7% Allegheny County Hotel Room Rental Tax. The host is responsible for collecting and remitting them.
What happens if you run a short-term rental without a permit in Pittsburgh?
Operating without a permit can cost up to $500 per unpermitted rental unit per month (summary offense under Chapter 781).

Official Sources

  1. Rental Registration | City of Pittsburgh, PA
  2. Chapter 781: Residential Housing Rental Permit Program | City of Pittsburgh, PA Code of Ordinances
  3. Hotel Room Rental Tax | Allegheny County Treasurer Office
  4. Home-sharing/Third-party Broker Rentals | Department of Revenue | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
  5. Legislation to Regulate Short-Term Rentals in the City of Pittsburgh | City of Pittsburgh, PA