Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Reading, PA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Reading, PA, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals are permitted by right in commercial districts (C-C, C-R, C-N, C-H) and by special exception in the R-3 residential district. Requirements include annual site inspections, a minimum of $500,000 in general liability insurance, compliance with safety codes (smoke detectors, fire extinguishers), and prohibitions on outdoor sleeping or RV/tent occupancy. 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.

Short-term rentals are permitted by right in commercial districts (C-C, C-R, C-N, C-H) and by special exception in the R-3 residential district. Requirements include annual site inspections, a minimum of $500,000 in general liability insurance, compliance with safety codes (smoke detectors, fire extinguishers), and prohibitions on outdoor sleeping or RV/tent occupancy.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Reading. 1) Obtain a Zoning Permit from the City of Reading Zoning Office, ensuring it includes the supplemental use and occupancy agreement and required property maintenance documentation. 2) For units in the R-3 district, apply for a special exception through the standard zoning procedure. 3) Maintain $500,000 in general liability insurance and pass annual site inspections by the Building & Trades or Property Maintenance Departments.

1) Obtain a Zoning Permit from the City of Reading Zoning Office, ensuring it includes the supplemental use and occupancy agreement and required property maintenance documentation. 2) For units in the R-3 district, apply for a special exception through the standard zoning procedure. 3) Maintain $500,000 in general liability insurance and pass annual site inspections by the Building & Trades or Property Maintenance Departments.

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