Short-term rental permit rules in Allegheny County, PA — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Short-term rental permit requirements vary across Allegheny County's 130 municipalities. Pittsburgh requires STR registration under Chapter 781 of City Code (effective 2023). Most suburban municipalities require zoning approval or use registration. Allegheny County itself does not issue STR permits but collects 7% hotel tax from all lodging.
Pittsburgh Code Chapter 781 requires STR operators to register annually, provide proof of primary residence or zoning compliance, obtain a rental permit from Bureau of Building Inspection, and pay registration fee. Suburban municipalities like Mt. Lebanon, Upper St. Clair, and Sewickley have adopted STR ordinances requiring registration and inspection. Townships under 2nd Class Township Code may regulate under general zoning. Operators must collect and remit Allegheny County 7% hotel tax plus PA 6% state hotel occupancy tax (13% combined). Airbnb and Vrbo collect state tax automatically but county tax remittance is operator responsibility in most cases.
Operating without required registration in Pittsburgh: $500-$2,000 fines per Code §781.07. Suburban violations: $100-$1,000 per day depending on municipality.
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See how Allegheny County's permit requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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