Erie, PA Short-Term Rentals: Insurance Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- STR insurance minimum
- $500,000 per unit
- Standard rental insurance minimum
- $150,000 per unit
- Coverage types required
- General liability, hazard, casualty
- Proof required
- Policy info on registration or certificate of insurance
- Fire proceeds use
- UCC Art. 1503.21(11)D Fire Escrow Fund
Summary
Erie requires every short-term rental owner to carry at least $500,000 in general liability, hazard, and casualty insurance per rental unit, more than triple the $150,000 minimum set for ordinary long-term rentals.
Minimum coverage: use of insurance proceeds. Short-term rental owners shall be required to obtain a minimum of $500,000 in general liability, hazard and casualty insurance per rental unit. All other owners shall be required to obtain a minimum of $150,000 in general liability, hazard and casualty insurance per rental unit. The proceeds of any policy of insurance shall be utilized consistent with the Uniform Construction Code, Article 1503.21(11)D (Fire Escrow Fund).
Full Breakdown
11(a) of the Landlord and Rental article sets a two-tier insurance floor. 02 definition, must carry a minimum of $500,000 in combined general liability, hazard, and casualty insurance for each rental unit. Every other residential rental owner needs only $150,000 in the same combined coverage per unit. 21(11)D, meaning insurance payouts tied to fire damage are directed into that escrow mechanism rather than used freely. 11(b) requires owners to place their insurance company name, policy number, and expiration date directly on the rental registration form, or alternatively to hand the code enforcement officer a certificate of insurance.
The City will not issue a registration certificate at all until this insurance information is on file. This insurance floor applies on top of, not instead of, the licensing and inspection requirements of the rest of Article 330: an owner still needs a valid rental registration and, separately, a rental license, before renting the unit to anyone.
Violations & Fines
A registration certificate cannot be issued without the required insurance information on file under Section 330.11(b), which blocks the owner from lawfully renting the unit at all since a rental license depends on a valid registration. Operating a short-term rental without the required registration or license carries the Article's general penalty: not less than $1,000 per unit for each month the violation continues under Section 330.99(a)-(b), with each month a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much insurance does a short-term rental owner need in Erie?
How does an owner prove they have the required insurance?
What happens to insurance proceeds after a fire at a rental unit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Erie
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