Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Dauphin County, PA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Dauphin County, PA, but with restrictions. Operators must register for and remit a 5% County Hotel Room Rental Tax. Municipalities may impose additional constraints such as occupancy limits (e.g., 2 persons per bedroom or 8 total), parking requirements, and mandatory local inspections. 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.

Operators must register for and remit a 5% County Hotel Room Rental Tax. Municipalities may impose additional constraints such as occupancy limits (e.g., 2 persons per bedroom or 8 total), parking requirements, and mandatory local inspections.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Dauphin County. 1. Submit a Hotel Room Rental Tax Application to the Dauphin County Treasurer to register for the 5% tax. 2. Apply for a municipal Short-Term Rental Permit from the local township or borough (if required), attaching proof of county registration. 3. Complete any required local safety inspections and pay applicable municipal fees.

1. Submit a Hotel Room Rental Tax Application to the Dauphin County Treasurer to register for the 5% tax. 2. Apply for a municipal Short-Term Rental Permit from the local township or borough (if required), attaching proof of county registration. 3. Complete any required local safety inspections and pay applicable municipal fees.

Vrbo is permitted in Dauphin 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 Dauphin 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 Dauphin County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.