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

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Bedrooms allowed
no more than 2
Stay length
24 hours to 30 consecutive days
Owner presence
required for the full stay
Bedroom location
in principal dwelling, not accessory building
License required
yes, under 1741.04.A

Summary

Bethlehem lets an owner rent up to 2 bedrooms of their owner-occupied home to transient visitors, but only if the owner personally occupies the residence for the entire stay, which can run from 24 hours up to 30 consecutive days.

A. 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. Under this arrangement, the owner must occupy the residence during the stay of the transient visitor.

View official code

Full Breakdown

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. B, where the owner's presence is optional. A. D.

Violations & Fines

Renting bedrooms without the owner occupying the residence during the stay, or exceeding the 2-bedroom or 30-day limits in 1741.03.A, is grounds for a formal warning, license suspension, revocation or non-renewal under 1741.06, plus 1741.99 fines of $200 to $1,000 and up to 90 days imprisonment depending on the number of prior violations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Bethlehem homeowner rent a spare room short-term while living there?
Yes. Section 1741.03.A allows renting up to 2 bedrooms to transient visitors for 24 hours to 30 consecutive days, but the owner must occupy the residence during the visitor's stay.
What if the owner leaves during the guest's stay?
The bedroom-accommodation exception in 1741.03.A requires the owner to occupy the residence during the stay; leaving takes the arrangement outside that exception and outside the ordinance's protection.
Can the rented bedroom be in a converted garage or accessory building?
No. Section 1741.04.C.2 requires the designated bedroom to be located within the principal dwelling unit and not in an accessory building.

Sources & Official References

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All Bethlehem rules

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