Montgomery County, PA Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)

Pennsylvania has no statewide STR occupancy cap. Counties have no zoning authority under the PA Municipalities Planning Code, 53 P.S. §10603, so any occupancy ceiling is set by the host municipality. The PA Uniform Construction Code (Act 45 of 1999, 35 P.S. §7210.101 et seq.) adopts the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) statewide. IPMC §404.5 sets minimum sleeping area: 70 sq ft for one occupant, 50 sq ft per occupant for two or more, in any habitable bedroom. Bedrooms cannot be counted as bedrooms unless they meet IRC egress and natural light requirements. Some Montgomery County municipalities have adopted explicit STR occupancy formulas — Lower Merion Township's residential rental code (Chapter 105) sets occupancy via the rental license tied to bedroom count. Norristown Borough Code Chapter 245 uses the IPMC standard. Many municipalities cap occupancy at two persons per bedroom plus two additional, consistent with HUD's Keating Memorandum guidance. Hosts must check their municipal rental ordinance and the rental license issued by the township or borough — the maximum permitted occupancy is typically printed on the license.