Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Philadelphia County, PA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Philadelphia County, PA, but with restrictions. Limited Lodging is an accessory use permitted only for primary residents (residing in the unit >182 days/year), while Visitor Accommodations apply to non-primary residences and are restricted to specific zoning districts. Operators must display license numbers in all advertisements, use only licensed booking agents for Limited Lodging, and pass annual 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.

Limited Lodging is an accessory use permitted only for primary residents (residing in the unit >182 days/year), while Visitor Accommodations apply to non-primary residences and are restricted to specific zoning districts. Operators must display license numbers in all advertisements, use only licensed booking agents for Limited Lodging, and pass annual inspections.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Philadelphia County. 1. Obtain a Commercial Activity License and apply for the required Zoning Permit (Limited Lodging or Visitor Accommodation) via L&I. 2. Once the zoning permit is issued, apply for the corresponding license (Limited Lodging Operator or Rental License-Hotel) through eCLIPSE, submitting proof of residency or owner authorization. 3. Schedule and pass a required L&I inspection to finalize the license, which must be renewed annually.

1. Obtain a Commercial Activity License and apply for the required Zoning Permit (Limited Lodging or Visitor Accommodation) via L&I. 2. Once the zoning permit is issued, apply for the corresponding license (Limited Lodging Operator or Rental License-Hotel) through eCLIPSE, submitting proof of residency or owner authorization. 3. Schedule and pass a required L&I inspection to finalize the license, which must be renewed annually.

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