Executive Overview

Important Clarification: The provided content specifically addresses regulations for Lancaster City, Pennsylvania, not Conestoga, PA. Conestoga is located within Lancaster County but is a separate municipality from Lancaster City. The content does not contain specific regulations for Conestoga, PA itself.

Lancaster City STR Status: Lancaster City DOES ALLOW short-term rentals (STRs) and homestays under specific conditions and zoning requirements, with regulations that were updated in May 2022.

Conestoga Recommendation: Since no Conestoga-specific regulations were provided in the content, investors interested in Conestoga properties should consult Lancaster County regulations or Pennsylvania state-level requirements for short-term rentals.

Lancaster City STR Regulatory Framework (Reference for Regional Comparison)

Note: This section provides Lancaster City regulations as the closest available information in the provided content. Conestoga may have different or additional requirements.

STR Definitions and Allowances

Short-Term Rental (STR):

• Fully furnished dwelling unit rented for less than 31 days
• Not occupied by owner or manager during rental periods
• No services provided (meals, housekeeping)
• Must be a single-family dwelling or apartment as defined in zoning code

Homestay:

• Single-family dwelling with maximum 2 bedrooms rented
• Property owner must reside in dwelling during all rental periods
• Rent individual bedrooms, not entire dwelling

Zoning Districts Where STRs Are Permitted

Short-Term Rentals Permitted By Right:

• RO (Residential Office)
• MU (Mixed Use)
• CB1 (Central Business 1)
• CB (Central Business)
• C1 (Commercial 1)
• C2 (Commercial 2)

Homestays Permitted By Right:

• R3, R4 (Higher density residential)
• RO, MU, CB1, CB, C1, C2 (Same as STR zones)

Required Documents, Permits, and Licenses

Lancaster City Requirements:

For All STRs and Homestays:

1. Certificate of Zoning Compliance

   • Required if property is in permitted zoning district
   • Application available through City zoning office

2. Residential Rental License

   • Issued by Bureau of Property Maintenance & Housing Inspections
   • Annual renewal required

3. Zoning Hearing Board Application (if needed)

   • Required if property is NOT in permitted zoning district
   • Or if property cannot meet standard conditions
   • Appeals process for zoning relief

Mandatory Conditions for All STRs:

(a) Registration as "TRANSIENT DWELLING" with city inspection
(b) Property manager identification and contact information
(c) Maximum 30-day consecutive stay limit
(d) Entire dwelling rented to single individual/group
(e) Maximum 2 adults per bedroom
(f) No exterior or interior signage visible to public
(g) Must qualify as single-family home or apartment

Mandatory Conditions for Homestays:

(a) Homeowner serves as sole property manager
(b) Owner must reside in dwelling during all rental periods
(c) Maximum 30-day consecutive stay limit
(d) Maximum 2 adults per bedroom
(e) No exterior or interior signage visible to public
(f) Guests must have access to bathroom and kitchen
(g) Structures with only 2 bedrooms may only dedicate one bedroom as homestay

Parking and Operational Requirements

STR Parking Requirements:

• 1 parking space per dwelling
• Dwellings with 4+ bedrooms: 1 additional space per bedroom
• All parking spaces must be off-street

Homestay Parking Requirements:

• 1 parking space per 2 bedrooms dedicated as homestay
• Fractions of 0.5 or more round up to 1 space
• Result effectively requires 1 space per homestay room

Contact Information

Lancaster City Zoning Officer:

Jameel Thrash

• Address: 120 N. Duke St., Lancaster, PA 17602
• Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
• Email: See official City of Lancaster contact information
• Phone: (717) 291-4736

City of Lancaster Main Contact:

• Address: 120 North Duke St., P.O. Box 1599, Lancaster, PA 17608
• Phone: (717) 291-4711
• Website: cityoflancasterpa.gov

Enforcement and Compliance

Non-Compliance Consequences:

• Enforcement actions including fines
• Unit condemnation
• Court proceedings
• City uses proprietary software to track STRs

Reporting Unpermitted Operations:

• Contact Zoning Officer Jameel Thrash
• Email and phone contact provided above
• Documentation required for investigation

Recent Regulatory Changes

May 2023 Update: Lancaster City Council expanded STR opportunities by allowing short-term rentals above commercial businesses in non-residential zones, particularly targeting vacant upper-floor spaces in commercial districts.

2022 Major Changes: City banned STRs in most residential neighborhoods while creating pathways for commercial district operations and homestays.

Tax Implications

Hotel Tax Requirements: Short-term rentals are subject to Lancaster County hotel tax (approximately 17% of total hotel tax revenue as of recent reports). The County Treasurer's office has implemented systems for STR tax collection and compliance monitoring.

Application Forms and Resources

Available Documents:

• Zoning Compliance Form
• Zoning Hearing Board Application
• Residential Rental License Application
• STR and Homestay FAQ (2022)

Online Resources:

• City's interactive Zoning Map
• Business Registration Portal
• Permits & Licensing Section

Source Pages

1. Lancaster City Short-Term Rentals Page: www.cityoflancasterpa.gov/short-term-rentals/
2. News Article - City Council Decision: lancasteronline.com/news/local/lancaster-city-council-allows-more-properties-to-be-rented-short-term-on-sites-like-airbnb/article_1063f56e-f9cb-11ed-a558-dfac9c62d7ed.html

Investment Recommendations for Conestoga

Due Diligence Required: Since the provided content doesn't contain Conestoga-specific regulations, investors should:

1. Contact Lancaster County directly for county-level STR regulations
2. Consult Conestoga Borough/Township for local municipal requirements
3. Review Pennsylvania state regulations for short-term rentals
4. Verify zoning classification of any prospective properties
5. Confirm whether Conestoga follows Lancaster County regulations or has independent rules

Key Questions for Conestoga Investigation:

• Does Conestoga permit STRs at all?
• What zoning districts allow STRs?
• What permits and licenses are required?
• Are there occupancy limits or operational restrictions?
• What are the tax obligations?
• How is enforcement handled?

This guide provides the Lancaster City framework as a regional reference point, but Conestoga may have significantly different requirements that must be verified through direct contact with local authorities.