Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Lehigh County, PA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Lehigh County, PA, but with restrictions. Lehigh County does not have countywide STR zoning or occupancy limits, but all operators must register for and remit a 4% Hotel Room Rental Tax. Specific operational constraints like zoning, owner-occupancy, and guest caps are determined and enforced by individual municipalities within the county. 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.

Lehigh County does not have countywide STR zoning or occupancy limits, but all operators must register for and remit a 4% Hotel Room Rental Tax. Specific operational constraints like zoning, owner-occupancy, and guest caps are determined and enforced by individual municipalities within the county.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Lehigh County. 1. Register with the Lehigh County Fiscal Office to remit the 4% Hotel Room Rental Tax. 2. Apply for a municipal STR license/permit in your specific jurisdiction (e.g., Whitehall or Bethlehem), which typically requires a safety inspection and proof of county tax registration. 3. Pay all local fees and renew both municipal licenses and county tax filings annually.

1. Register with the Lehigh County Fiscal Office to remit the 4% Hotel Room Rental Tax. 2. Apply for a municipal STR license/permit in your specific jurisdiction (e.g., Whitehall or Bethlehem), which typically requires a safety inspection and proof of county tax registration. 3. Pay all local fees and renew both municipal licenses and county tax filings annually.

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