Yes, short-term rentals (STRs) are allowed in Johnstown, Cambria County, but subject to specific licensing/permitting, safety, and operational requirements established by City of Johnstown ordinance. The Joint State Government Commission (JSGC) identified Johnstown as a third-class city with a short-term rental ordinance in place. As with most Pennsylvania municipalities, the exact parameters—zoning districts where STRs are permitted, occupancy limits, inspection and safety standards, licensing terms, and compliance obligations—are local and are set by city code.

Johnstown STRs are treated as transient lodging and are subject to state hotel occupancy tax and the county/city hotel taxes applicable in Cambria County. Investors should confirm the current local zoning and licensing requirements, as well as any covenants or HOA rules that may apply, before acquisition.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Johnstown, PA

• Confirm zoning feasibility:
  • Determine whether your parcel is in a zoning district where STRs are permitted (as a principal use, limited lodging/homestay, conditional use, or similar). If the property is in a residential district, confirm whether STRs are allowed or prohibited. Verify any siting standards (e.g., lot coverage, setbacks, parking, signage).
• Confirm legal structure:
  • If the property is in a planned community (condominium, cooperative, planned community), review the recorded covenants, declarations, and bylaws. Pennsylvania courts have held that restrictive covenants may not automatically ban rentals absent clear language; nevertheless, HOAs/COAs can and do impose use restrictions and运营 rules.
• Secure short-term rental authorization:
  • Apply for and obtain any required City of Johnstown short-term rental license/permit. Anticipate submission of an application, compliance plans, and evidence of required inspections/safety measures.
• Register for taxes:
  • Register for Pennsylvania sales, use, and hotel occupancy tax if you collect state and local hotel taxes directly.
  • Confirm the county/city hotel tax rate and remittance process with the Cambria County tax collection authority.
• Property and safety compliance:
  • Comply with state and local lodging/safety requirements (e.g., smoke/CO alarms, fire safety measures, habitability standards, occupancy limits, posted rules for guests).
• Maintain records:
  • Maintain guest and rental records for the statutory period (commonly 2 years) and make them available upon request.
• Operations and compliance management:
  • Establish guest communications, trash/recycling/collection rules, parking plans, quiet hours and neighbor relations protocols.
  • Use a platform that supports tax remittance (e.g., platforms may act as booking agents that collect and remit state and local hotel taxes on your behalf; confirm coverage).
  • Monitor ongoing zoning, license, and tax changes; renew licenses/permits as required.
  • Use a reputable STR manager if you won’t be on-site.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• City of Johnstown:
  • Short-Term Rental License/Permit (confirm exact permit name and agency issuance in current code).
  • Zoning authorization for STR use (e.g., limited lodging/homestay, transient lodging, visitor accommodation) or appropriate variance/conditional use.
  • Safety/inspection compliance verification:
    • Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.
    • Any additional fire safety, structural, or building code measures required for lodging establishments.
    • Occupancy limits and posted house rules.
  • Parking and signage compliance.
  • Local tax registration if required by the city/county for transient occupancy taxes.
• County/City hotel taxes:
  • Registration/remittance with the Cambria County tax collection authority for local hotel tax.
• Pennsylvania state taxes:
  • Sales, Use, and Hotel Occupancy Tax License and periodic returns with the Department of Revenue (if you collect state hotel tax directly).
  • Pennsylvania Personal Income Tax reporting of STR income and expense offsets; keep detailed records for reporting.
• General compliance:
  • Property insurance review (your standard homeowners policy may not cover commercial STR activity; consider riders or separate coverage).
  • HOA/COA compliance (if applicable).

Specific Regulations: City of Johnstown, Cambria County, and State of Pennsylvania

• City of Johnstown (Cambria County; third-class city):
  • The JSGC identifies Johnstown as having a STR ordinance. STRs are permitted subject to the city’s licensing and zoning requirements. Confirm the permitted zones, occupancy limits, safety measures, inspection cycles, and renewal cadence in the current code.
  • Expect conditions such as on-site posting of rules, compliance with quiet hours, and designated guest parking. Violations may trigger fines or license suspension/revocation.
• Cambria County:
  • Cambria County is a 4th class county. State code authorizes a county hotel (room) tax up to 5% in 4th class counties. Actual rates may vary; verify with the county’s tax collection authority.
  • County-level lodging oversight typically applies to rooming/boarding houses and similar facilities (not single-family residences).
• State of Pennsylvania:
  • Hotel Occupancy Tax:
    • State tax: 6%.
    • Booking agents are required to collect and remit; hosts not using an agent must register and remit directly to the Department of Revenue.
    • Local hotel taxes (county/city) apply in addition to the state tax; exact rates vary by jurisdiction.
  • Lodging and Housing Code (Title 48):
    • Short-term rentals are considered transient lodging, with obligations for safety, order, and guest recordkeeping.
    • Municipalities have primary zoning authority over STRs; zoning ordinances determine where STRs may occur and under what conditions.
  • Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code:
    • Local zoning is the key regulatory tool; cities may permit, prohibit, or regulate STRs via ordinance (permitted use, conditional use, or prohibited in certain districts).
  • Taxation:
    • Short-term rental income is taxed as business income for Pennsylvania personal income tax; keep full records of income and expenses.
  • Insurance:
    • Homeowners policies commonly exclude commercial STR activity; consider riders or a separate policy with guest liability coverage.
  • Planned Communities:
    • STR rules may be addressed via covenants, declarations, and bylaws; courts have held covenants must clearly restrict rentals to be enforceable.

Contact Information (Phone, Email, Website) for Local Authorities in Charge of STRs

• City of Johnstown
  • Licensing/Permitting Agency: Department of Permits, Licenses, and Inspections (or equivalent) (Note: exact agency name, phone, email, and website should be verified from the city’s official website/current code).
  • Zoning: City Planning/Zoning Department (Note: exact contact information should be verified from the city’s official website/current code).
• Cambria County
  • Cambria County Tax Collection Committee (local hotel tax collection/remittance; confirm current website, email, and phone).
  • Cambria County Assessment Office (for property tax and homestead exemption questions).
• Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
  • Department of Revenue (sales, use, and hotel occupancy tax; home-sharing resources): 717-787-1064; website: pa.gov/agencies/revenue/
  • JSGC (research on STRs and statutory guidance): 717-787-4397; jntst02@legis.state.pa.us; website: jsg.legis.state.pa.us

Note: City and county contacts can change; verify exact contacts, hours, and service boundaries on official government websites or by calling.

Source Pages (Links)

• The Short-Term Rental Industry in Pennsylvania (JSGC Staff Study, March 2025): jsg.legis.state.pa.us/resources/documents/ftp/publications/2025-03-17%20Short-term%20Rental%20Web%203.17.25.pdf
• Pennsylvania Department of Revenue: Home-sharing/Third-party Broker Rentals: www.pa.gov/agencies/revenue/resources/tax-types-and-information/sales-use-and-hotel-occupancy-tax/home-sharing.html
• National Zoning Atlas: www.zoningatlas.org/atlas
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (National Zoning Atlas context): www.huduser.gov/portal/pdredge/pdr-edge-featd-article-071123.html
• County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania: County Hotel Tax Rates and Contact Information: www.pacounties.org/getmedia/607608ac-4f1d-44e9-93c3-5fc2f1f747d0/Hotel-Tax-Rates-and-Contacts.pdf

Important: Due to fragmented municipal regulation, requirements vary significantly across cities and townships. Confirm Johnstown’s zoning and licensing specifics, Cambria County’s current hotel tax rate/remittance process, and any HOA/COA restrictions prior to acquisition and before listing your property.