Short-term rental permit rules in Philadelphia County, PA — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Philadelphia 2021 Visitor Accommodations law requires all STRs to obtain a Limited Lodging or Hotel license from L&I. Hosts must register, pass inspection, and operate only in primary residence (Limited Lodging) or licensed hotel zones.
Under Phila. Code §9-3800 (effective July 2021, enforcement expanded 2022), three STR categories exist: Limited Lodging (host-occupied, up to 3 guests, unlimited nights), Limited Lodging Operator (whole-home up to 90 nights/year), and Visitor Accommodation (commercial hotel use, CMX zones only). Each requires annual L&I license, property insurance, smoke/CO detectors, and posted emergency info. Platforms must verify license numbers before listing.
Unlicensed STR: 2000 dollars per day. Platform listing unlicensed unit: 500 dollars per listing per day. Repeat offenders face cease-operation orders.
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See how Philadelphia County's permit requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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