Lower Paxton, PA Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Parking Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Required spaces
- 1 per bedroom (Table 1, § 203-903)
- Lawn parking
- Prohibited in any grass or lawn area
- Location
- Garage or private driveway, not within a required yard
- Same lot
- Required spaces on the same lot as the principal use
- Reduction route
- Engineer-sealed needs analysis or Zoning Hearing Board special exception
Summary
In Lower Paxton Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, a short-term rental must provide 1 off-street parking space per bedroom under Table 1 of § 203-903. Section 203-737(A)(3) requires parking to meet Article IX and prohibits parking in any grass or lawn area.
(3) Parking shall meet the requirements of Article IX of this chapter. Parking shall be prohibited in any grass or lawn area. ... Parking Ratio Requirements Land Use/Activity Minimum Vehicle Spaces ... Short-term rental (accessory or principal) 1 per bedroom ... A. Parking requirements for single-family, two-family, and townhouse dwellings shall be met by providing the required spaces in an enclosed garage or in a private driveway, but not within a required yard, on the lot.
Full Breakdown
Parking is one of the three express standards in Lower Paxton Township Code § 203-737(A) for a short-term rental approved by special exception. Subsection (3) says parking shall meet the requirements of Article IX of the zoning chapter and that parking shall be prohibited in any grass or lawn area. Guests cannot be directed onto the front lawn or side yard to make up a shortfall.
The number of spaces comes from Table 1 in § 203-903, titled Parking Ratio Requirements. The table has a Land Use/Activity column and a Minimum Vehicle Spaces column. Its row for "Short-term rental (accessory or principal)" prints "1 per bedroom". The ratio applies to every zoning district in Lower Paxton Township except where the chapter modifies it elsewhere.
Section 203-905(A) governs where the spaces go for single-family, two-family and townhouse dwellings: they must be provided in an enclosed garage or in a private driveway, but not within a required yard, on the lot. Section 203-907(A) adds that required parking spaces shall be located on the same lot with the principal use. Under § 203-903(B)(1)(a), required parking for single-family dwellings may be stacked and does not need separate access to each space, so a two-car driveway can count as two spaces.
The ratio can be adjusted only through the processes in § 203-903. A landowner can submit a parking needs analysis, signed and sealed by a licensed engineer and approved by the Board of Supervisors and the Township Engineer, or ask the Zoning Hearing Board for a reduction by special exception, supported by evidence such as studies of similar uses during peak hours. The lawn prohibition in § 203-737(A)(3) is a separate condition of the rental approval.
Violations & Fines
Parking that falls short of the Table 1 ratio, or that is placed on a grass or lawn area, breaks a condition of the § 203-737 special exception. Under § 203-1205(B), violating any condition imposed by a Zoning Hearing Board decision granting a special exception is a violation of the Lower Paxton Township zoning chapter. The Township enforces by enforcement notice under Section 616.1 of the State Municipalities Planning Code, and the Zoning Officer can first informally request compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many parking spaces does a short-term rental need in Lower Paxton Township?
Can guests park on the lawn at a Lower Paxton Township short-term rental?
Does a tandem driveway count toward the required spaces?
Can the parking requirement be reduced?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lower Paxton
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