Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Short-Term Rental Regulations — Northampton County

Conditional

STR Status

Permit: RequiredOwner Occupancy RequiredBusiness License Required
✓ Verified against the official ordinance.View source· Last verified 6/8/2026
30Annual Cap
500 ftBuffer Distance

Permit & Licensing

Permit RequiredYes
Renewalannual
Business License RequiredYes
WaitlistNot specified

Owner Requirements

Owner Occupancy RequiredYes
Primary Residence RequiredYes
Insurance RequiredNot specified

Limits & Restrictions

Minimum Night Stay7 (entire unit); 1 (bedroom rental, minimum 24 hours)
Max Nights Per Year30
Density / Distance Cap500 ft
Parking RequiredNot specified

Taxes & Fees

Transient Occupancy Tax / TOTContact city for rates

Zoning Restrictions

  • prohibited except owner-occupied bedroom rental or primary residence rental; hotels and B&Bs allowed under Zoning Ordinance

Official Sources

bethlehem-pa.gov/CityOfBethlehem/media/Ordinance-PDFs/ARTICLE1741.pdf?ext=.pdf
Data confidence: 96%Last updated: June 8, 2026

Short-term rental rules in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Short-term rentals (Airbnb, Vrbo) in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania are allowed under certain conditions. Operators must obtain a permit. The property must be owner-occupied.

Frequently asked questions

Are short-term rentals allowed in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania?

Short-term rentals (including Airbnb and Vrbo) are allowed under certain conditions in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The property must be owner-occupied.

Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in Bethlehem?

A short-term rental permit is required, a business license is also required.

Are there stay limits for short-term rentals in Bethlehem?

Yes — Bethlehem sets a minimum stay of 7 nights and a cap of 30 rental nights per year.

Where do these Bethlehem short-term rental rules come from?

These details are verified against Bethlehem's official short-term rental ordinance and updated when the rules change.

Always verify before you buy. Short-term-rental rules change often and may not be fully current here. Confirm directly with Bethlehem, Northampton County, or Pennsylvania authorities — and consult a qualified attorney — before purchasing property or operating an STR. This is not legal advice.