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

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

County host-presence rule
None; municipal only
City STR owner presence
Not required
City property manager
Must be named to Housing Unit
City Homestay
Owner must be on-site
Other municipalities
Set their own contact rules

Summary

Lancaster County sets no host-presence rule. Whether an owner or manager must be present is municipal. The City of Lancaster does not require owner occupancy for a standard STR, but a property manager must be identified and their contact information provided to the City's Housing Unit; a Homestay, by contrast,

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Lancaster County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

A property manager must be identified, and the name and contact information shall be provided to the City's Housing Unit.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Host-presence and local-contact requirements are municipal, not county, matters in Pennsylvania. The City of Lancaster is representative. For a standard unhosted STR, no owner or manager occupancy is required, but a property manager must be identified, and the manager's name and contact information must be provided to the City's Housing Unit so there is a responsible local point of contact. For a Homestay, the rule is stricter: the property owner must be residing in the dwelling unit for the duration of the rental. Municipalities elsewhere in the county set their own local-contact and presence standards - some require a 24-hour responsible person within a set distance, others do not.

Violations & Fines

Enforced by the municipality. In the City of Lancaster, failing to identify a property manager or provide the manager's contact information to the Housing Unit is a violation of the transient dwelling conditions and can lead to fines and denial

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be present when guests stay at my Lancaster County STR?
Not as a county rule. In the City of Lancaster, a standard STR does not require owner presence, but you must identify a property manager and give the City's Housing Unit their contact details. A Homestay does require the owner
Is a local contact required for the City of Lancaster?
Yes. A property manager must be identified, and their name and contact information provided to the City's Housing Unit, so the City has a responsible local point of contact for the rental.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Lancaster County

Noise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsShort-Term Rental PermitsSome RestrictionsPrimary-Residence-Only RuleSome RestrictionsTaxes & FeesSome RestrictionsOccupancy LimitsSome RestrictionsShort-Term Rental Parking RulesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Leaf Blower RulesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome Restrictions

All Lancaster County rules

Compare Lancaster County to another location·View the Pennsylvania short-term rentals overview

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