Short-Term Rentals in Erie, PA (2026)
6 verified short-term rentals rules for Erie, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Permit Requirements
The City of Erie requires a Short-Term Rental license before any dwelling may be rented for under 30 days. Operators must first obtain zoning approval and a Zoning Certificate, then register and pay an annual $80 fee; the license is not transferable and does not run with the property.
STR License + Zoning Certificate Required Before Renting
Heavy RestrictionsCity of Erie Zoning Ordinance Section 305.49 (Short Term Rentals); definition per Zoning Ordinance Article 6; City of Erie Bureau of Building Standards and Safety, Short Term Rentals guidance
SHORT TERM RENTAL - Any dwelling unit or room(s) within a dwelling unit owned or managed by a person, firm or corporation which is rented for a period of less than thirty (30) consecutive days, during which the owner or manager may or may not be present on a full-time basis. The unit designated for STR use must be licensed following the procedures outlined in the City of Erie Codified Ordinance...
Noise Rules
Short-term rental hosts in Erie are responsible for guest noise under the city's general noise and nuisance provisions in the Erie City Code (eCode360 ER3969). Loud music, parties, and amplified sound that disturb neighbors trigger citations, and repeat violations can jeopardize a host's rental registration and Business Privilege License under city enforcement practice.
Erie STR Guest Noise Compliance
Some RestrictionsTaxes & Fees
Short-term rental operators in Erie must collect the Erie County 7% hotel room rental tax administered by the Erie County Department of Finance 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%. Erie does not impose a separate municipal STR tax. Erie County requires monthly remittance.
Erie STR Hotel Tax and Fees
Heavy RestrictionsParking Rules
Erie does not impose STR-specific parking minimums, but short-term rentals are bound by the off-street parking requirements in the Erie Zoning Ordinance for the use district where the dwelling sits, and by the on-street residential parking system administered through the Erie Parking Authority. Hosts must inform guests that posted time limits and snow-emergency rules apply.
Erie STR Parking Requirements
Some RestrictionsOccupancy Limits
Erie short-term rentals may not exceed the number of occupants allowed in the applicable zoning district, with maximum occupancy based on the number and size of bedrooms, a family unit, or no more than four unrelated occupants. In the R-1 and R-1A districts occupancy of a rentable unit is limited to one Family.
Occupancy Capped by Zoning District; One Family in R-1/R-1A
Heavy RestrictionsCity of Erie Zoning Ordinance Section 305.49 (Short Term Rental Regulations, items 3-4 and R-1/R-1A additional regulations); STR Zoning Compliance Checklist; Article 6 (Definitions - Family)
3. STR accommodations shall not exceed the number of occupants allowed within the applicable zoning district. ... 4. Overnight occupancy of recreational vehicles, camper trailers and tents is prohibited. ... [STR Zoning Compliance Checklist:] STR accommodations shall not exceed the number of occupants allowed within the applicable zoning district. [MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY IS BASED ON THE NUMBER AND S...
Insurance Requirements
Erie 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.