Permit Requirements: Penn Hills vs Pittsburgh
How do permit requirements rules compare between Penn Hills, PA and Pittsburgh, PA?
Penn Hills has fewer restrictions than Pittsburgh.
Penn Hills, PA
Allegheny County
Penn Hills does not have a dedicated short-term rental permit ordinance. Operators must obtain a Certificate of Use, Occupancy and Compliance for any rental use and comply with zoning. No dedicated STR license exists, unlike the Pittsburgh Chapter 781 program.
View full Penn Hills rules →Pittsburgh, PA
Allegheny County
Pittsburgh's 2021 STR ordinance requires every short-term rental host to register with the Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections (PLI), pay an annual license fee, and post the license number on every listing. STRs in residential zones must be the operator's primary residence; investment STRs are limited to mixed-use and commercial districts.
View full Pittsburgh rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Penn Hills | Pittsburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Dedicated STR Permit | None in Penn Hills | - |
| Required Certificate | Use, Occupancy and Compliance | - |
| Safety Standard | PA UCC compliance required | - |
| State Tax Registration | PA Department of Revenue | - |
| County Tax Registration | Allegheny County Treasurer | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Penn Hills FAQ
Do I need a short-term rental permit in Penn Hills?
Penn Hills has no dedicated STR permit. Operators must still obtain a Certificate of Use, Occupancy and Compliance for the rental use, verify zoning allows commercial lodging, and register for state and county hotel occupancy taxes.
Is Penn Hills adopting STR regulations like Pittsburgh?
As of early 2026, Penn Hills has not adopted a Chapter 781-style registration program. STR enforcement is pursued under general zoning, occupancy, and property maintenance codes. Monitor Penn Hills Council ordinance updates for changes.
Pittsburgh FAQ
Do I need a license to Airbnb in Pittsburgh?
Yes. Every short-term rental requires an annual license from PLI under Chapter 781. The fee is $250 per dwelling unit and the license number must appear on every listing.
Can I rent an investment property as an STR in Pittsburgh?
Only in mixed-use or commercial zoning districts. In residential zones, the STR must be the operator's primary residence (host lives there 184+ days/year).
What taxes do I have to collect?
Both the 7% Allegheny County hotel tax and the 6% Pennsylvania state hotel occupancy tax. Airbnb and Vrbo collect both automatically; direct bookings require manual remittance.
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