Bethlehem, PA Short-Term Rentals: Extended Home Share (2026)

Article 1741 bans short term lodging citywide except in two narrow circumstances listed in section 1741.03. The second, at 1741.03.B, is the "entire residential unit accommodation": an owner may rent his, her or their primary residence to transient visitors for a minimum period of 7 consecutive days, and the total, whether consecutive or spread across nonconsecutive stretches, cannot exceed 30 days in a calendar year running January 1 through December 31. Unlike the bedroom-accommodation option in 1741.03.A, the owner is not required to remain on the premises during an entire-unit stay.

This use still requires a Short Term Lodging License under 1741.04, is capped by whatever occupancy the current City Housing Code sets for the facility under 1741.05.B, and must stay a single household living unit with common housekeeping, kitchen and laundry facilities under 1741.05.A. The facility cannot be used for nonresidential purposes like receptions or meeting space under 1741.05.C, and section 1741.05.D locks the property into whichever of the two rental types it registers for the entire license year: an owner cannot switch between bedroom-only and entire-unit rental mid-license without obtaining a brand-new license and paying a new fee.