Philadelphia's Limited Lodging category under section 14-604(13) is reserved for operators whose dwelling unit is their primary residence. Investor-only short-term rentals fall into the Visitor Accommodation hotel category, which is allowed only in specific commercial zoning districts.
Philadelphia defines primary residence as the unit where the operator lives most of the year and uses for voter registration, driver's license, and tax filings. Under section 14-604(13), only that operator's primary unit qualifies for Limited Lodging. Out-of-town owners and entire-building investor STRs must instead obtain a Visitor Accommodation zoning use, which is permitted only in CMX-3, CMX-4, CMX-5, and selected commercial districts. Department of Licenses and Inspections requires proof of residency at registration. Condo and cooperative bylaws may further forbid STRs even when zoning permits them, and Philadelphia courts have upheld association bans against owner-occupant hosts.
Hosting non-primary STR operations under Limited Lodging triggers L&I license revocation, daily Code 14-2007 penalties up to 2,000 dollars, and Hotel Tax back-assessment with interest; repeat violations may forfeit the rental license entirely.
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia Code section 14-604(13) and Title 9-3902 distinguish a Limited Lodging operator, who must use the home as a primary residence and be present or ...
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia Code section 9-3905 lets Licenses and Inspections suspend or revoke a Limited Lodging or Hotel rental license after repeat violations of zoning,...
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia requires a Limited Lodging Operator License ($150/yr) under Phila. Code §9-3909 for primary-residence STRs, plus a CAL and Zoning Permit under §...
See how Philadelphia's primary-residence-only rule rules stack up against other locations.
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