Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Montgomery County, PA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Montgomery County, PA, but with restrictions. Regulations are determined at the municipal level. In municipalities like Upper Merion, STRs are restricted to specific residential districts and require life-safety inspections, insurance, and occupancy limits. Cheltenham Township also defines and regulates 'Short-term Transient Lodging' and 'Vacation Rentals' through zoning amendments. 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.

Regulations are determined at the municipal level. In municipalities like Upper Merion, STRs are restricted to specific residential districts and require life-safety inspections, insurance, and occupancy limits. Cheltenham Township also defines and regulates 'Short-term Transient Lodging' and 'Vacation Rentals' through zoning amendments.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Montgomery County. 1. Submit a short-term rental permit application to the municipal Zoning Officer. 2. Schedule and pass a life-safety inspection of the dwelling unit. 3. Provide proof of insurance and pay the required fee; permits must be renewed annually.

1. Submit a short-term rental permit application to the municipal Zoning Officer. 2. Schedule and pass a life-safety inspection of the dwelling unit. 3. Provide proof of insurance and pay the required fee; permits must be renewed annually.

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