Bethlehem, PA Short-Term Rentals: Host Presence Rule (2026)

Section 1741.03 of Article 1741 opens with a citywide ban on short term lodging outside two listed exceptions, and the first, 1741.03.A, is the "specific bedroom accommodation": the owner of an owner-occupied single family dwelling may rent no more than 2 bedrooms to transient visitors for a period of not less than 24 hours and not more than 30 consecutive days, and under that arrangement the owner must occupy the residence during the stay of the transient visitor. This is the host-presence condition; it is what separates the bedroom-accommodation option from the entire-unit accommodation in 1741.03.B, where the owner's presence is optional.

A bedroom used this way must be a designated bedroom shown on the floor plan filed with the license application under 1741.04.C.2, located inside the principal dwelling unit and not in an accessory building, and every arrangement still needs its own Short Term Lodging License under 1741.04.A. The number of individuals permitted inside the designated bedroom is capped by the current City of Bethlehem Housing Code under 1741.05.B, and the facility cannot switch to the entire-unit rental type mid license year without a new license under 1741.05.D.