Short-term rental permit rules in Chester County, PA — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Chester County does not issue short-term-rental permits. Whether an Airbnb or VRBO needs a use permit, zoning approval, or license is decided by your borough, city, or township under Pennsylvania's Municipalities Planning Code. Ask your municipal zoning office.
Land-use and permitting authority in Pennsylvania rests with boroughs, cities, and townships under the Municipalities Planning Code (Act 247 of 1968). Chester County's Planning Commission publishes model short-term-rental guidance for municipalities but does not license or permit individual rentals itself. Some Chesco municipalities require a use permit or zoning approval before you can operate a short-term rental; others have no rule. The only county-layer obligation is the county Hotel Room Rental Tax registration (a tax filing, not a land-use permit). Before listing in West Chester, Phoenixville, Kennett Square, or any township, confirm permit requirements with your local zoning officer.
Set by your municipality; zoning violations typically carry daily fines and possible cease-operation orders under the local ordinance.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Chester County's permit requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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