Chester County, PA Short-Term Rentals: Taxes & Fees (2026)
Key Facts
- County hotel tax
- 5% (4.65% with breakfast)
- State hotel occupancy tax
- 6%
- Combined
- About 11%
- Filing due
- 25th day after each month
- Ordinance
- Chester County #2019-2
Summary
Short-term rentals in Chester County owe a 5% county Hotel Room Rental Tax under Ordinance #2019-2, on top of Pennsylvania's 6% state hotel occupancy tax, about 11% combined on stays under 30 nights. This is the genuine county-level rule.
Under Chester County Ordinance #2019-2, every business holding itself out as a 'hotel' must apply a 5% tax to each and every rental of a room with a bed.
Full Breakdown
This is the one clearly county-level short-term-rental rule in Chester County. Under County Ordinance #2019-2, every business holding itself out as a 'hotel', expressly including Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, Expedia and private B&Bs, must apply a 5% tax to each rental of a room with a bed for under 30 consecutive nights. The rate is reduced to 4.65% if breakfast is included in the room rate. Reports are due monthly by midnight on the 25th day after each calendar month. Most of the collected tax funds the Chester County Convention and Visitors Bureau. Separately, Pennsylvania imposes a 6% state hotel occupancy tax on the same stays, for roughly 11% total.
Violations & Fines
Late or unpaid county hotel tax accrues interest and penalties; the county Treasurer administers collection and enforcement under Ordinance #2019-2.
Frequently Asked Questions
What tax do I charge on a Chester County Airbnb?
Does the county rate ever change?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chester County
How Chester County compares: Cities with the Highest Short-Term Rental Taxes·Compare Chester County to another location·View the Pennsylvania short-term rentals overview
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