Short-term rental permit rules in McKeesport, PA — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
McKeesport has no dedicated STR ordinance. Operators must obtain a business privilege license and comply with zoning for lodging/rooming uses. Property maintenance code and UCC apply.
As of 2025, McKeesport has not adopted a dedicated short-term rental (STR) ordinance. Airbnb, VRBO, and similar rentals operate under the general framework: (1) a Mercantile/Business Privilege License from the City of McKeesport; (2) compliance with the 2017 Zoning Ordinance — short-term transient lodging is analogous to a boarding house, bed-and-breakfast, or tourist home and may not be a permitted use in R-1/R-2 districts without zoning relief; (3) compliance with the PA Uniform Construction Code (34 Pa. Code Chapter 403) and IPMC for life-safety (smoke alarms, CO detectors, egress); (4) Allegheny County hotel room rental tax registration — the county imposes a 7% hotel tax under Allegheny County Code Chapter 860 on stays under 30 days, collected by the County Treasurer; and (5) PA state hotel occupancy tax of 6% under 72 P.S. §7209, collected by booking platforms under PA Act 109 of 2018 (effective Jan. 22, 2019) which treats Airbnb/VRBO as "booking agents." Hosts remain responsible for county tax registration even though platforms may remit it. PA has no statewide STR preemption, so McKeesport City Council retains authority to enact a dedicated STR ordinance.
Operating without Mercantile License: $300-$1,000 fine plus back-fees. Zoning violation (STR in non-permitted district): $100-$500 per day under the 2017 Zoning Ordinance. Unregistered Allegheny County hotel tax: 5% penalty plus interest per County Code Ch. 860. Life-safety violations (no smoke/CO alarms): up to $1,000 under IPMC and UCC.
McKeesport, PA
Persistent dog barking enforceable as public nuisance under McKeesport code and PA Dog Law 3 P.S. 459. Complaints handled by police and ACHD animal services.
McKeesport, PA
Industrial and commercial noise sources subject to Allegheny County Health Department Article XXI air quality and noise provisions plus McKeesport zoning per...
McKeesport, PA
Construction noise generally restricted to daytime hours (typically 7 AM to 8 PM weekdays) under McKeesport nuisance provisions. Emergency utility and public...
McKeesport, PA
Overnight parking is permitted on most McKeesport residential streets. Snow emergency routes and posted zones prohibit overnight parking when declared or sig...
McKeesport, PA
McKeesport has no citywide EV charging mandate. Residential Level 1 and Level 2 chargers require an electrical permit under the PA UCC. Public chargers exist...
McKeesport, PA
New driveways and curb cuts require a permit from McKeesport Public Works. Driveways must not drain onto public sidewalks and must use approved apron materials.
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Allegheny County.
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