Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Adams County, PA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Adams County, PA, but with restrictions. STRs are categorized as Homestays (owner-occupied) or Vacation Rentals. Requirements include a 24/7 local contact within a 15-minute drive, occupancy limits of two persons per guest room, off-street parking, and mandatory registration with the Adams County Treasurer for hotel tax compliance. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

STRs are categorized as Homestays (owner-occupied) or Vacation Rentals. Requirements include a 24/7 local contact within a 15-minute drive, occupancy limits of two persons per guest room, off-street parking, and mandatory registration with the Adams County Treasurer for hotel tax compliance.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Adams County. 1. Ensure the property meets zoning standards (e.g., residency for homestays, local contact for vacation rentals). 2. Register with the Adams County Treasurer’s Office for the Hotel Room Rental Tax. 3. Apply for municipal-level permits (e.g., Land Use Permit and Certificate of Use & Occupancy in Gettysburg Borough).

1. Ensure the property meets zoning standards (e.g., residency for homestays, local contact for vacation rentals). 2. Register with the Adams County Treasurer’s Office for the Hotel Room Rental Tax. 3. Apply for municipal-level permits (e.g., Land Use Permit and Certificate of Use & Occupancy in Gettysburg Borough).

Vrbo is permitted in Adams County, PA under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Adams County are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Adams County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.