Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Short-Term Rental Regulations — Philadelphia County

Allowed (Permit Required)

STR Status

Permit: RequiredTax: 8.5%Business License RequiredProcessing: 3 business days
✓ Verified against the official ordinance.View source· Last verified 6/7/2026
8.5%Tax Rate

Permit & Licensing

Permit RequiredYes
Business License RequiredYes
WaitlistNot specified
Est. Processing Time3 business days

Owner Requirements

Owner Occupancy RequiredNot specified
Primary Residence RequiredNot specified
Insurance RequiredNot specified

Limits & Restrictions

Parking RequiredNot specified

Taxes & Fees

Transient Occupancy Tax / TOT8.5%

Zoning Restrictions

  • yes — Zoning Permit required for either limited lodging use or visitor accommodation use

Official Sources

Data confidence: 97%Last updated: June 7, 2026

Short-term rental rules in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Short-term rentals (Airbnb, Vrbo) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania are allowed with a permit. Operators must obtain a permit. A lodging/occupancy tax of 8.5% applies.

Frequently asked questions

Are short-term rentals allowed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?

Short-term rentals (including Airbnb and Vrbo) are allowed with a permit in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

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

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

What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Philadelphia?

Short-term rentals in Philadelphia are subject to a lodging/occupancy tax of 8.5%.

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

These details are verified against Philadelphia'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 Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, or Pennsylvania authorities — and consult a qualified attorney — before purchasing property or operating an STR. This is not legal advice.