Occupancy Limits: Allentown vs Bethlehem
How do occupancy limits rules compare between Allentown, PA and Bethlehem, PA?
Allentown and Bethlehem have similar restriction levels.
Allentown, PA
Lehigh County
Allentown limits the number of guests allowed in short-term rental properties. Occupancy caps are typically based on bedroom count or square footage to protect neighborhood quality of life.
View full Allentown rules →Bethlehem, PA
Lehigh County
Bethlehem 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). Bethlehem's Housing Inspections division enforces these standards through the rental property registration program.
View full Bethlehem rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Allentown | Bethlehem |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Limit | 2 per bedroom + 2 | - |
| Listing | Must state max occupancy | - |
| Enforcement | Complaint-driven | Bethlehem Housing Inspections |
| Penalty | Permit revocation possible | - |
| Governing Code | - | IPMC §404 (via PA UCC) |
| Bedroom Minimum | - | 70 sq ft (1 person) + 50 sq ft per add'l |
| Children | - | Under 12 count as 0.5 person |
| Vacate Order | - | IPMC §108 available for overcrowding |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Allentown FAQ
How many guests can stay in my short-term rental?
Typically 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests. Check Allentown municipal code for exact limits.
What happens if guests exceed the occupancy limit?
The host is responsible. Violations can result in fines and potential permit revocation in Allentown.
Bethlehem FAQ
How many guests can I list for a Bethlehem PA short-term rental?
Whatever the IPMC math allows for your specific bedrooms and total dwelling area. Measure each sleeping room: 70 sq ft buys one occupant, every additional 50 sq ft adds one more. A 120 sq ft bedroom sleeps two; a 200 sq ft bedroom sleeps three. Add the bedroom totals together and confirm the result against the IPMC total-area floor for the whole unit.
Does Bethlehem count children toward the occupancy cap?
Under IPMC §404.4.4, children under 12 years of age generally count as one-half of an adult occupant for the bedroom and dwelling-area calculations. Infants under 1 year are typically not counted. Bethlehem's Housing Inspections division applies the IPMC standard during rental inspections under the city's rental property registration program.
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