Overview: Are short-term rentals allowed in Gettysburg, PA? Yes. Short-term rentals are allowed in Gettysburg, PA, subject to zoning, permitting, and operational requirements. The Borough distinguishes between two types:

• Homestay: A maximum of two rooms for short-term lodging, where the operator is a permanent resident of the dwelling.
• Vacation Rental: A dwelling unit offered for short-term lodging when the operator is not residing on-site.

Both are allowed in many—but not all—zoning districts. Vacation rentals are expressly prohibited in the R-1 Low Density Residential District and in the Elm Street Overlay District. Elsewhere, both homestays and vacation rentals are permitted by right or, in some cases, by special exception. Investors must secure borough permits and county/state tax registrations before operating.

How to start a short-term rental business in this market

• Confirm zoning eligibility before acquisition. Use the Borough’s Interactive Zoning Map or request a Minor Zoning Certification Application to verify whether your parcel allows the intended use (homestay or vacation rental).
• Choose a compliant property and prepare for inspection and safety requirements (smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguisher, emergency info, visible address numbers, and rear-located exterior improvements where required).
• Obtain permits:
  • Land Use Permit (all STRs)
  • Certificate of Use & Occupancy (transient rentals)
  • Homestay Residency Certification (if owner-occupied)
• Register for taxes:
  • State of Pennsylvania (Hotel Occupancy Tax and state sales tax via myPATH)
  • Adams County Hotel Room Rental Tax
• Post required notices in the unit and designate a local contact person within a 15-minute drive (for vacation rentals).
• Only one rental booking per night per dwelling unit. Multiple separate overnight accommodations in one dwelling are prohibited.
• Maintain ongoing compliance, renew permits as required, and file tax reports on time.

Step-by-step permitting process

1. Zoning confirmation

• Confirm the district allows your intended use. Vacation rentals are prohibited in R-1 and the Elm Street Overlay District.
• If the parcel is in the Elm Street Overlay but outside of the underlying R-1 district, the prohibition still applies to vacation rentals within the overlay boundaries.

2. Land Use Permit application (required for all STRs)

• Submit the Consolidated Land Use Application to the Borough.
• Application methods: email to permits@gettysburgpa.gov or mail/hand-delivery to Borough of Gettysburg, 59 E. High Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325.
• Fee: $40.

3. Certificate of Use & Occupancy (transient rentals)

• Apply using the Transient Rental Request for Determination packet.
• This includes inspection and verification that the property meets occupancy and life-safety codes.

4. Homestay Residency Certification (owner-occupied homestay)

• Complete the Homestay Residency Certification form to document that the operator maintains permanent residency on-site.

5. State and local tax registrations

• Register with the PA Department of Revenue (myPATH) to collect/remit Pennsylvania Hotel Occupancy Tax and sales tax.
• Register with the Adams County Treasurer’s Office to collect/remit the local Hotel Room Rental Tax.

6. Inspection and approvals

• Pass required inspections for safety and building code compliance.
• Only after approval can you legally operate.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• Borough-level:
  • Land Use Permit (application fee $40; all STRs)
  • Certificate of Use & Occupancy (transient rentals)
  • Homestay Residency Certification (if owner-occupied)
  • Posting requirements (see Operational Rules below)
• County-level:
  • Adams County Hotel Room Rental Tax registration (see Tax section)
• State-level:
  • Pennsylvania Hotel Occupancy Tax registration (myPATH)
• Operational documentation:
  • 24/7 local contact information (vacation rentals only)
  • On-site notice with contact details, address, maximum on-site vehicles, and garbage collection day(s)
  • Safety equipment records (smoke/CO detectors, extinguisher, emergency information)
  • Compliance records for re-inspections and annual renewals as applicable

Specific regulations for STRs (city, county, and state) City/Borough-level regulations (Gettysburg Borough Zoning Ordinance)

• Definitions:
  • Transient lodging: lodging for compensation for periods of less than 30 consecutive days.
  • Short-term lodging: includes homestay and vacation rental.
  • Homestay: operator is a permanent resident; maximum of two rooms; only one rental party at a time; no on-site advertising; no food for compensation.
  • Vacation rental: operator not residing on-site; only one booking per night; no food for compensation.
• Zoning—Homestay:
  • Permitted by right as accessory to permanent occupancy in R-1A, OT, RO, GC, HC, and IND.
  • Special note: within the Elm Street Overlay District (ESO), homestay is not a permitted use where ESO intersects OT and RO districts.
• Zoning—Vacation Rental:
  • Prohibited in R-1 Low Density Residential District.
  • Prohibited in the Elm Street Overlay District.
  • Permitted by right in R-1A, OT, RO, TC, GC, HC, and IND.
  • Special exception may be required for certain circumstances (e.g., Boarding House in ESO).
• Operational rules for Vacation Rentals:
  • Maintain a local contact person within a 15-minute drive, available 24/7.
  • Post a conspicuous notice inside the unit with contact info, property address, max on-site vehicles, and garbage collection day.
  • Only one booking per dwelling per night; multiple separate overnight accommodations in a single dwelling are prohibited.
  • No food, drink, or meals for compensation.
  • On-site advertising limited to one sign, max 4 sq ft; prohibited outside TC, GC, OT, HC, and RO districts.
  • Required exterior improvements (e.g., fire safety) must be to the rear and not detract from residential character.
  • Must register for Adams County Hotel Room Rental Tax.
• Additional use-specific requirements:
  • Inn: rear parking or screened; 1 full bathroom per 4 rooms; residential appearance; staff presence or 24/7 access; no cooking in guest rooms; no on-site food service unless similarly permitted in district; must register for County Hotel Tax.
  • Bed-and-Breakfast: max 10 rooms; rear-located exterior improvements; must register for County Hotel Tax.
  • Boarding House: minimum 30-day rental periods; separate provisions for ESO.

County-level regulations (Adams County)

• Hotel Room Rental Tax: 5% of gross rental receipts.
• Registration required with the Adams County Treasurer’s Office; monthly reporting typically due by the 20th of the following month; filing may be required even with no rentals in a reporting period.
• The county has an online filing portal; some sources reference OpenGov/Tax & Revenue, and launch of a modern platform in 2025. Always verify current filing procedures and portal links with the Treasurer’s Office.
• Proceeds support Destination Gettysburg (75%), local police departments (12.5%), and Adams County economic development (12.5%).

State-level regulations (Pennsylvania)

• Hotel Occupancy Tax: 6% of gross rental receipts (same rate as sales tax).
• Local Sales Tax: 1% in addition to the occupancy tax.
• Registration and remittance through the PA Department of Revenue’s myPATH system.
• Booking platforms (e.g., Airbnb) may collect and remit some taxes; operators remain ultimately responsible for compliance.

Contact information (phone, email, website) Borough of Gettysburg—Planning, Zoning & Code Enforcement

• Phone: (717) 334-1160 ext. 224
• Website: www.gettysburgpa.gov
• Email: permits@gettysburgpa.gov
• Address: 59 E. High Street, Gettysburg, PA 17325

Borough Code Enforcement Office

• Phone: (717) 334-1160 ext. 229
• Email: codeenforcement@gettysburgpa.gov

Adams County Treasurer’s Office (Hotel Room Rental Tax)

• Phone: (717) 337-9833
• Address: 117 Baltimore Street, Room 101, Gettysburg, PA 17325
• Online portal: use the County’s official website for current links and filing access

Pennsylvania Department of Revenue

• Taxpayer Services: (717) 787-1064
• Website: www.pa.gov/agencies/revenue
• myPATH: mypath.pa.gov

Links to source pages (important)

• Gettysburg Borough Zoning Text Amendment (draft 7.12.21): www.gettysburgpa.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3156/f/uploads/draft_stl_zoning_text_amendment_7.12.21.pdf
• Consolidated Land Use Application: gettysburgpa.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3156/f/uploads/2023_consolidated_land_use_app_0.pdf
• Transient Rental Request for Determination Packet: gettysburgpa.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3156/f/uploads/transient_rental_request_for_determination_packet_0.pdf
• Homestay Residency Certification (Homestay Affidavit): gettysburgpa.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3156/f/uploads/homestay_affidavit-certification.pdf
• Legal Notice Summary—Zoning Text: www.gettysburgpa.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3156/f/uploads/gb_legal_notice_summary_zoning_text_-_short-term_housing.pdf
• Lodging Application (2023): gettysburgpa.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif3156/f/uploads/gettysburg_lodging_application_2023.pdf
• PA Department of Revenue (myPATH): mypath.pa.gov
• Hostaway blog—Airbnb Rules in Pennsylvania (overview; verify with Borough/County for local specifics): www.hostaway.com/blog/airbnb-rules-in-pennsylvania/
• The Offer Sheet—Gettysburg STR regulations (secondary source; useful summary): local.theoffersheet.com/legal/gettysburg-pa/

Notes for investors

• Zoning checks are essential: avoid parcels in R-1 or Elm Street Overlay if you plan a vacation rental. Even if the underlying district allows it, overlay prohibitions will control.
• Permits and inspections come first: do not list or operate until the Land Use Permit, Certificate of Use & Occupancy, and any homestay certifications are approved.
• Tax compliance is non-negotiable: register for state and county taxes, set up reliable remittance workflows, and maintain records.
• Operational excellence matters: enforce one-booking-per-night, maintain a 24/7 local contact, post required notices, and manage on-site signage to remain compliant.
• Historic character and safety: exterior improvements must preserve residential appearance and typically be located to the rear; safety equipment standards apply.