Short-term rentals in Philadelphia refer to renting out a room, apartment, or house for less than 30 days to a single person or a group of visitors.

Yes, there are STR regulations that affect you as the ownership of your property and your primary residence in the STR apartment affect the type of permit that you will obtain from the city.

Yes, you are required to pay the city hotel tax.

Yes, individuals are allowed to operate a short-term rental business as long as they obtained the zoning permit and the short-term rental license.

While neighborhood approval is not required, it's always a good idea for hosts to be considerate of their neighbors and communicate openly about their plans to operate a short-term rental and also provide them with contact information in case of any issues or complaints.

Neighborhood approval is not required to operate short term rentals.

Short-term rentals are generally allowed in most residential zoning districts, but there may be certain restrictions to consider such as the number of occupants, parking, and other factors. Short-term rentals are not permitted in commercial or industrial zones in Philadelphia. It is important to check the council district website to confirm if the rental is permitted in your district.

Yes, you are required to pay the city hotel tax.

Yes, you require either the limited lodging license or the Visitor Accommodation license to operate short-term rental in the city, depending on the one that applies to you.

The host or operator must pay the City of Philadelphia Hotel Tax <https://www.phila.gov/services/payments-assistance-taxes/business-taxes/hotel-tax/> monthly. The tax is 8.5% of the amount received through renting including any fees charged by the rental platform. Failure to collect and remit the tax can result in penalties and fines.

City of Philadelphia hotel monthly Tax

There are no prohibited zip codes for the use of STR in Philadelphia

In Philadelphia, various types of properties are eligible for short-term rentals, including single-family homes, townhouses, condominiums, and apartments.

Yes, occupancy limit affects STR in Philadelphia

• If you own a short-term rental property and the property is your primary residence, you are required to obtain the zoning permit for limited lodging and a limited lodging operator’s license.
• While those who own their properties but are not primary residents of the properties are required to obtain the zoning permit for visitors’ accommodation and a rental license that defines the accommodation’s use as a hotel.
• Short-term rental hosts that are tenants and primary residents of the rented properties are required to obtain the zoning permit for limited lodging and a limited lodging operator’s license after getting written approval to carry out the business from their landlords.
• Non-primary residents of rented properties in all residential districts and primary residents of rented properties in the 10th Councilmanic district tenants are prohibited from carrying out short-term rental on their properties as they will be unable to obtain a short-term rental by-right permit.

The fee for the license is $150 and it must be renewed annually. The application process involves submitting an application, passing a home inspection, and providing proof of liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $500,000.

1. Advertisement Restriction: Short-term rental owners are prohibited from posting signs or advertisements for lodging on their homes and you cannot change your house so that it no longer resembles a private residence. However, you can advertise your lodgings on various online platforms including Airbnb, HomeAway, and VRBO, provided that you list with your short-term license number.

2. Building, Health & Safety Regulations: In order to ensure the safety of your guests you are required to install smoke alarms in every bedroom in your accommodation, the hallway in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms, and on each floor of the home, including basements.

You are also required to install carbon monoxide alarms within 15 ft. of the entrance to every bedroom or within 15 ft. of a bed in sleeping areas if there isn’t an enclosed bedroom. You are also required to install one centrally on a wall or the ceiling, but not directly in front of a door to a bathroom or within 5 ft. of a cooking appliance.

3. Guest Regulation: You are obligated to inform your renters that they are only allowed to have guests between the hours of 8 a.m. and midnight.

4. Trash Regulation: Information regarding trash and recycling collection days and any trash disposal rules and regulations including proper trash containers should be provided for renters.

5. Emergency Contact: You must provide your contact information or that of a designee to your renters to receive complaints and resolve issues quickly.

6. Noise Regulation: It is important that your guests do not disturb the peace and quiet of the neighborhood. Noise restrictions are in place from 9 pm to 7 am, during which time guests must keep noise levels to a minimum. Excessive noise violators are subject to fines and penalties.

7. Insurance Requirement: Short-term rental owners in Philadelphia are required to carry liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $500,000.

8. Evidence of Primary Residence: You are required to keep records for at least one year showing the short-term rental property continued to remain a primary residence.

Non-compliance with short-term rental regulations in Philadelphia can result in fines that range from $250 to $2,000, depending on the violation.

Yes, the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections is responsible for the regulation of short-term rental in Philadelphia.

For more information about short-term rental regulations in Philadelphia, Contact;

The City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections

Website: https://www.phila.gov/departments/department-of-licenses-and-inspections/

Phone: 311 (Within Philadelphia) or (215) 686-8686(Outside Philadelphia

Department Address Webpage

Short-term rental is prohibited in the 10th Councilmanic district.

The fee for the license is $150 and it must be renewed annually. The application process involves submitting an application, passing a home inspection, and providing proof of liability insurance with a minimum coverage of $500,000.