How Scranton Handles Short-Term Rentals: A Practical Guide

Scranton maintains 100 local ordinances across all categories, and 6 of those deal specifically with short-term rentals. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Scranton falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Permit Requirements

Scranton, PA does not have a standalone short-term rental ordinance. Hosts who rent dwellings for stays under 30 days are regulated through the city's rental registration and Mercantile/Business Privilege License framework, applicable zoning, and the Lackawanna County 7% hotel tax. Scranton is a Home Rule city under PA Act 62 of 1972, and Pennsylvania has not preempted local STR regulation.

Key details: Standalone STR Ordinance: None as of 2026. License Required: Mercantile/Business Privilege License + rental registration. Code Portal: ecode360.com/SC1148. Home Rule Status: Yes (PA Act 62 of 1972). Key Case: Slice of Life v. Hamilton Twp. (Pa. 2019).

Operating without rental registration or a Mercantile/Business Privilege License is a code violation enforceable by Scranton DLIP, with citation fines escalating with each repeat. Zoning violations carry separate fines under the Scranton Zoning Ordinance, and ongoing operation in a non-conforming district can be enjoined in the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas.

Noise Rules

Short-term rental hosts in Scranton are responsible for guest noise under the city's general noise and nuisance provisions in the Scranton City Code (eCode360 SC1148). Loud music, parties, and amplified sound that disturb neighbors trigger citations, and repeat violations can jeopardize a host's rental registration and Mercantile/Business Privilege License under city enforcement practice.

Key details: Local Rule: Scranton City Code (eCode360 SC1148). State Backup: 18 Pa.C.S. §5503 disorderly conduct. Enforcement: Scranton Police + DLIP. Host Responsibility: Tied to property address, not guest. License Risk: Repeat violations risk registration non-renewal.

Local noise citation fines escalate with each instance at a single property under the Scranton City Code. 18 Pa.C.S. §5503 disorderly conduct carries up to $300 fine for a summary offense and up to $2,500 plus 90 days for a misdemeanor of the third degree if persistent. Repeat violations at an STR address can support non-renewal of the rental registration and the Mercantile/Business Privilege License.

Taxes & Fees

Short-term rental operators in Scranton must collect the Lackawanna County 7% hotel tax authorized under 72 P.S. §1771-A et seq. and the Pennsylvania 6% state hotel occupancy tax under 72 P.S. §7210 for any stay under 30 consecutive days. The combined rate is 13%. Scranton does not impose a separate municipal STR tax, but operators must pay the city Mercantile/Business Privilege Tax.

Key details: PA State Tax: 6% (72 P.S. §7210). Lackawanna County Tax: 7% (72 P.S. §1771-A et seq.). Combined Rate: 13% on Scranton STR bookings. 30-Day Exemption: Stays 30+ days by same guest exempt. Administrator: Lackawanna County Treasurer.

Failure to register, collect, or remit Lackawanna County hotel tax carries interest plus penalty per the county ordinance, and the County Treasurer can assess back taxes. PA state hotel occupancy tax non-compliance triggers PA Department of Revenue assessments, a 25% civil penalty under 72 P.S. §7268, and potential criminal liability for willful failure to file. The County can suspend the right to operate as a taxable hotel.

Compared to other cities, Scranton takes a harder line on taxes & fees. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Parking Rules

Scranton does not impose STR-specific parking minimums, but short-term rentals are bound by the off-street parking requirements in the Scranton Zoning Ordinance for the use district where the dwelling sits, and by the on-street residential parking system administered through the Scranton Parking Authority. Hosts must inform guests that posted time limits and snow-emergency rules apply.

Key details: Off-Street Minimum: Per Scranton Zoning Ordinance. On-Street Authority: Scranton Parking Authority. Snow Emergency: Declared bans require relocation. Permit Zones: Common near downtown and universities. STR-Specific Rule: None - underlying use applies.

On-street parking violations under Scranton Parking Authority rules and Scranton City Code carry citations that escalate; vehicles can be ticketed and towed during declared snow emergencies. Zoning-based off-street parking shortfalls can be cited by DLIP as a zoning violation, and a hearing before the Zoning Hearing Board may be required to maintain operations.

Occupancy Limits

Scranton does not set an STR-specific occupancy cap, but every dwelling must meet the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) minimum-area standards as adopted by Pennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code. IPMC Section 404 sets minimum sleeping-room area (70 sq ft for one occupant, 50 sq ft per additional). Scranton DLIP inspects rental units under these standards.

Key details: Governing Code: IPMC §404 (via PA UCC). Bedroom Minimum: 70 sq ft (1 person) + 50 sq ft per add'l. Enforcement: Scranton DLIP. Children: Under 12 count as 0.5 person. Vacate Order: IPMC §108 available for overcrowding.

Overcrowding is a code violation under Scranton's IPMC enforcement, with citation fines escalating per occurrence. The IPMC violation can lead to the Code Official issuing an order to vacate under IPMC §108 for unsafe occupancy. Repeat occupancy violations support non-renewal of the rental registration. Misrepresenting occupancy to platform guests can also support consumer-protection claims under PA's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (73 P.S. §201-1).

Insurance Requirements

Scranton PA does not require short-term rental hosts to carry a specific insurance policy or post a liability minimum, and Pennsylvania has no statewide STR insurance mandate. However, hosts using Airbnb or VRBO rely on platform-provided host protection (AirCover up to $1M, VRBO Liability Insurance up to $1M), and a personal homeowner's policy almost always excludes commercial transient rental.

Key details: City Mandate: None. State Mandate: None (PA). Airbnb AirCover: Up to $1M liability. VRBO Liability: Up to $1M (booking-tied). Homeowner Exclusion: Standard HO-3 excludes business use.

Operating without adequate insurance is not a code violation in Scranton, but a guest injury without coverage can result in personal liability up to the host's full net worth. A homeowner's policy that excludes business pursuits will deny the claim, and Pennsylvania's bad-faith statute (42 Pa.C.S. §8371) does not help if the exclusion is clearly drafted in the policy.

Scranton is more permissive than most cities when it comes to insurance requirements. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Scranton's short-term rentals rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Scranton is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Scranton's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.