Short-Term Rentals in Allentown, PA (2026)
2 verified short-term rentals rules for Allentown, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Short-Term Rental Permits
Allentown has no dedicated short-term-rental ordinance; any dwelling or rooming unit rented out, including STRs, must hold an active annual Residential Rental License under Article 1759, with a $75 per-unit fee and an inspection required for the initial license.
Annual Residential Rental License Required ($75/Unit)
Some RestrictionsCity of Allentown, Residential Rental Unit Registration Application, citing Article 1759 (sections 1759.05C, 1759.06D, 1759.99A(4))
The penalty for non-compliance with Article 1759 - Licensing Residential Rental Units - shall be the revocation of the residential rental registration or the residential rental license. 1759.99A(4) Reinstatement fee - the fee to reinstate a revoked Residential Rental Registration or a Residential Rental license shall be one hundred (100) dollars per residential rental unit.
Occupancy Limits
Allentown sets no STR-specific guest cap, but its 2025 Zoning Ordinance (eff. Jan 1, 2026) caps a Bed and Breakfast Inn at 10 guest rooms with a 14-consecutive-day limit and on-site owner/operator, and limits rooming/boarding rental units to a maximum of 2 adults each (250 sq. ft. minimum, 6 units per lot).
B&B Capped at 10 Rooms; Rooming Units Max 2 Adults
Some RestrictionsCity of Allentown Zoning Ordinance (Ord. 16166), 660-37.I (Lodging / Bed and Breakfast Inn) and 660-54 (Rooming and Boarding)
Bed and Breakfast Inn. A detached house in which a full-time resident and owner/operator offers 2 or more guest rooms for overnight lodging and meal service for compensation. ... [1] Bed & breakfast inns may contain no more than 10 guest rooms. [2] Guest rooms may not be offered for rental for periods of more than 14 consecutive days. [3] The owner/operator of the bed & breakfast inn must occup...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Allentown city rules.
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