Permit Requirements: New York vs Philadelphia
How do permit requirements rules compare between New York, NY and Philadelphia, PA?
New York and Philadelphia have similar restriction levels.
New York, NY
New York County
New York City Local Law 18 of 2022, codified at NYC Administrative Code §§26-3101 and 26-3102, requires every host who rents a unit for fewer than 30 consecutive days to register with the Mayor's Office of Special Enforcement (OSE). Enforcement against booking platforms began September 5, 2023. Under New York Multiple Dwelling Law §4(8)(a), Class A multiple dwellings (most NYC apartments) cannot be used for transient occupancy of fewer than 30 days unless the permanent occupant is present and no more than two guests are hosted at a time. The registration fee is $145.
View full New York rules →Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia County
Philadelphia's 2021 Short-Term Rental ordinance requires a Limited Lodging Operator License for hosted rentals (primary residence) and a Visitor Accommodations License plus zoning approval for non-primary STRs, which are capped at 180 days per year. All listings must display the city license number.
View full Philadelphia rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | New York | Philadelphia |
|---|---|---|
| Governing Law | NYC Local Law 18 of 2022; NYC Admin. Code §§26-3101, 26-3102; NY Mult. Dwell. Law §4(8)(a) | - |
| Enforcement Began | September 5, 2023 | - |
| Registration Fee | $145 (non-refundable) | - |
| Minimum Stay (Unhosted) | 30 consecutive days in Class A multiple dwellings | - |
| Host Presence | Required for stays under 30 days | - |
| Maximum Guests | Two paying guests per registered listing | - |
| Primary Residence | Required | - |
| Enforcement | Mayor's Office of Special Enforcement (OSE) | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
New York FAQ
Can I rent my NYC apartment on Airbnb for fewer than 30 days?
Only if the unit is your primary residence, you register with OSE, you are physically present during the guest's stay, and no more than two paying guests are present at a time. Renting an entire apartment without the host present for under 30 days is illegal under Multiple Dwelling Law §4(8)(a).
How do I register a short-term rental in NYC?
Apply through the OSE Short-Term Rental Registration portal. The non-refundable registration fee is $145. You must provide proof of primary residency and that the unit complies with applicable building, zoning, and safety codes.
Are 30+ day rentals subject to Local Law 18?
No. Rentals of 30 consecutive days or longer are exempt from the registration requirement under Local Law 18.
Philadelphia FAQ
Do I need a license to host on Airbnb in Philadelphia?
Yes. If it's your primary residence, you need a Limited Lodging Operator License ($150/year). For a non-primary property, you need a Visitor Accommodations License and zoning approval, capped at 180 rental days per year.
What is the 180-day cap?
Under Phila. Code §14-604(13), short-term rentals in non-primary residences cannot exceed 180 rental days per calendar year. Hosted stays in a primary residence are not subject to this cap.
What taxes do Philadelphia STRs collect?
Hosts collect the 8.5% Philadelphia Hotel Tax and the 7% Pennsylvania state hotel occupancy tax. Airbnb and Vrbo collect both automatically; direct bookings require manual remittance.
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