Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Erie County, PA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Erie County, PA, but with restrictions. City of Erie: STRs are allowed only in specific zoning districts (e.g., R-1, C-1, W-C) and require a non-transferable license. Owners must designate a local responsible agent residing in Erie County if they live outside the county; off-street parking and rear-yard screening are required in certain zones. Lawrence Park Township: Ordinance 2023-4 regulates STR locations and requires registration for all residential dwelling units. 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.

City of Erie: STRs are allowed only in specific zoning districts (e.g., R-1, C-1, W-C) and require a non-transferable license. Owners must designate a local responsible agent residing in Erie County if they live outside the county; off-street parking and rear-yard screening are required in certain zones. Lawrence Park Township: Ordinance 2023-4 regulates STR locations and requires registration for all residential dwelling units.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Erie County. 1) Schedule a pre-application meeting with the Zoning Office to confirm eligibility and zoning compliance. 2) Submit the STR application and receive a Zoning Certificate. 3) Submit the Zoning Certificate to the Licensing Office, complete the registration form, and pass a property inspection by the Building Inspector to receive a Certificate of Occupancy and the final STR License.

1) Schedule a pre-application meeting with the Zoning Office to confirm eligibility and zoning compliance. 2) Submit the STR application and receive a Zoning Certificate. 3) Submit the Zoning Certificate to the Licensing Office, complete the registration form, and pass a property inspection by the Building Inspector to receive a Certificate of Occupancy and the final STR License.

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