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Lancaster County, PA Short-Term Rentals: Primary-Residence-Only Rule (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

County primary-residence rule: None; municipal only
City STR (unhosted): No owner-residence requirement
City Homestay: Owner must reside during rental
STR zones (City): RO, MU, CB1, CB, C1, C2
Homestay zones (City): Include R3 and R4

Summary

Lancaster County imposes no primary-residence requirement on short-term rentals. Whether a rental must be your home is municipal. The City of Lancaster distinguishes a Homestay - where the owner must reside in the dwelling for the duration of the rental - from an unhosted STR, which has no owner-residence requirement

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Lancaster County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

The property owner must be residing in the dwelling unit for the duration of the rental.

View official code

Full Breakdown

Pennsylvania counties do not impose primary-residence or owner-occupancy conditions on short-term rentals; that choice belongs to each municipality. The City of Lancaster illustrates the two-track approach many municipalities take. An unhosted Short-Term Rental (STR) does not require the owner to live on-site and is permitted by right in the RO, MU, CB1, CB, C1, and C2 zones. A Homestay is different: the property owner must be residing in the dwelling unit for the duration of the rental, and homestays are permitted by right in a broader set of zones including R3 and R4 residential districts. In other words, in the City, whether you can rent whole-home versus only while living there depends on which category and zone applies.

Violations & Fines

This is enforced municipally. In the City of Lancaster, operating a whole-home rental in a district where only owner-occupied homestays are allowed, or renting a homestay while not actually residing there, violates the zoning conditions and is enforced through the

Frequently Asked Questions

Must a Lancaster County STR be my primary residence?

Not as a county matter - the county sets no such rule. It depends on the municipality. In the City of Lancaster, an unhosted STR needs no owner residence, but a Homestay requires the owner to live in the dwelling

What is the difference between an STR and a Homestay in the City?

A Homestay requires the property owner to reside in the dwelling unit for the duration of the rental and is allowed in more residential zones; an STR is unhosted and permitted only in RO, MU, CB1, CB, C1, and C2

Sources & Official References

[1]City of Lancaster - Short-Term Rentals and Homestays (official)

Other rules in Lancaster County

Noise Ordinances: Quiet HoursSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome Restrictions Short-Term Rental PermitsSome Restrictions Host Presence RuleSome Restrictions Taxes & FeesSome Restrictions Occupancy LimitsSome Restrictions Short-Term Rental Parking RulesSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Leaf Blower RulesSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Loading ZonesSome Restrictions

All Lancaster County rules

Compare Lancaster County to another location·View the Pennsylvania short-term rentals overview

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