Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Jefferson County, PA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Jefferson County, PA, but with restrictions. Jefferson County requires operators of hotels, motels, inns, guest houses, and bed-and-breakfasts to register and collect a 5% Hotel Room Rental Tax on taxable transient occupancy; occupancy of 30 consecutive days or more constitutes a permanent residency and is exempt. Operators must register within 15 days of starting business and file quarterly tax reports, while local municipalities may enforce additional zoning or permit requirements. 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.

Jefferson County requires operators of hotels, motels, inns, guest houses, and bed-and-breakfasts to register and collect a 5% Hotel Room Rental Tax on taxable transient occupancy; occupancy of 30 consecutive days or more constitutes a permanent residency and is exempt. Operators must register within 15 days of starting business and file quarterly tax reports, while local municipalities may enforce additional zoning or permit requirements.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Jefferson County. 1) Complete and submit the Jefferson County Hotel Room Tax Registration Form to the County Treasurer within 15 days of starting business. 2) Obtain and conspicuously display the permanent certificate of authorization issued by the Treasurer. 3) Collect the 5% tax and file quarterly returns by the 25th day of the month following each calendar quarter.

1) Complete and submit the Jefferson County Hotel Room Tax Registration Form to the County Treasurer within 15 days of starting business. 2) Obtain and conspicuously display the permanent certificate of authorization issued by the Treasurer. 3) Collect the 5% tax and file quarterly returns by the 25th day of the month following each calendar quarter.

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