Lititz, Pennsylvania Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Executive Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Lititz, PA?

YES - Short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Lititz, PA, but only under specific regulatory conditions. The Borough of Lititz has enacted comprehensive regulations governing short-term rentals through Ordinance amendments to Chapter 122 (Zoning). STRs are permitted as special exception uses in multiple zoning districts, provided operators meet strict owner-occupancy, licensing, and operational requirements.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Lititz?

Lititz hosts earn a median $32,560/year with $171 ADR and 62% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $47,919+ per year.

See the full Lititz market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Lititz

Step 1: Zoning Compliance Verification

Before purchasing or converting any property for STR use, verify that your property is located in a zoning district that permits short-term rentals as special exception uses:

Permitted Zoning Districts:

R-S Residential District (Section 206)
R-1 Residential District (Section 207)
R-2 Residential District (Section 208)
R-A Residential District (Section 209)
Office and Professional District (Section 210)
Commercial District (Section 211)
Lititz Run Revitalization District (Section 219)

Proceed only if your property is in one of these approved districts.

Step 2: Property Acquisition and Preparation

Acquire property in permitted zoning district
Ensure property can accommodate required off-street parking (1 space per STR unit or 1 space per 2 guests, whichever is greater)
Prepare property to meet all safety requirements

Step 3: Owner-Occupancy Compliance

CRITICAL REQUIREMENT: You must occupy the property as your primary residence for at least nine months of the year. The borough requires owners to provide a form detailing periods when the STR will be rented without owner occupancy.

Step 4: Licensing and Registration Process

Apply for Residential Rental License with the Borough (Chapter 94 Borough Code)
Include license number in all STR listings
Register with Lancaster County for county-level requirements
Designate emergency contact (owner as primary, alternative local contact required)

Step 5: Ongoing Compliance

Maintain current licensing and registration
File occupancy tax returns
Respond to borough inspections
Maintain property standards

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Borough-Level Requirements

1. Residential Rental License

Authority: Chapter 94 of Borough Code
Requirement: Mandatory before listing property for rent
Display: License number must be included in all STR listings
Contact: Borough Code Enforcement Office

2. Emergency Contact Designation

Primary Contact: Property owner
Alternative Contact: Local contact required when owner not present
Written Notice: Required to be filed with Borough
Penalty: Failure to provide alternative contact results in license loss

3. Borough Inspection Requirements

Initial Inspection: Required before license issuance
Ongoing Inspections: Borough conducts systematic inspections
Compliance: Must meet Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code and Property Maintenance Code

County and State Requirements

4. Occupancy Tax Compliance

State Tax: Pennsylvania Hotel Occupancy Tax (6%)
County Tax: Lancaster County Occupancy Tax (2%)
Annual Certification: Must provide written evidence of tax payments by September 30th annually
Penalty: Failure to provide evidence results in license loss

5. Lancaster County Registration

Requirement: Annual registration with Lancaster County Commissioner's Office
Purpose: County-level oversight and tax collection

Documentation Requirements

6. Required Documentation

Proof of property ownership
Current residential rental license
Emergency contact information
Occupancy tax payment evidence
Insurance documentation
Safety equipment compliance records

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Definitions and Key Terms

Short-Term Rental: An owner-occupied dwelling or accessory unit that provides rooms or the entirety of the unit for transient residence to individuals unrelated to the owners of the dwelling unit.

Transient Residence: Any dwelling unit or part thereof which is rented or leased for a period of less than 30 days.

Owner-Occupancy Requirements

Tenure Requirement: All short-term rentals must be on properties occupied by the owner for not less than nine months of the year.

Documentation: Owners must provide the Borough with a form detailing when the STR will be rented without the owner occupying the property.

Parking Requirements

Minimum Standards: One off-street parking space shall be provided per Short-Term Rental Unit or every two guests, whichever is greater.

Additional Requirement: These spaces are in addition to those required for the property owner if guests will be occupying the property concurrently with the owner.

Siting Restrictions

Residential Districts: New short-term rentals must be sited at least 1,000 feet from existing Bed and Breakfast Inns and existing registered Short-Term Rentals.

All Other Districts: New Short-Term Rentals must be sited at least 500 feet from existing Bed & Breakfasts or Short-term Rentals.

Occupancy and Tax Requirements

Tax Obligations:

Pennsylvania Hotel Occupancy Tax: 6% of gross rental receipts
Lancaster County Occupancy Tax: 2% of gross rental receipts
Annual Certification Deadline: September 30th each year

Safety and Maintenance Standards

Properties must comply with:

Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code
Lititz Borough Property Maintenance Code
Fire safety regulations
Smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector requirements
Emergency exit information posting

Contact Information

Lititz Borough Office

Phone: (717) 626-2044
Fax: (717) 626-1329
Address: 7 South Broad Street, Lititz, PA 17543
Website: www.lititzborough.org

Code Enforcement/Zoning Officer

Contact: Lori McEntarfer
Phone: (717) 626-2044
Email: lmcentarfer@lititzborough.org

Lancaster County Commissioner 's Office

Phone: (717) 299-8000
Purpose: STR Registration and County Tax Information
Website: www.lancastercountypa.gov

Pennsylvania Department of Revenue

Phone: (717) 787-8201
Purpose: Hotel Occupancy Tax Information
Website: www.revenue.pa.gov

Lancaster County Planning Commission

Phone: (717) 299-8333
Purpose: Zoning and Development Questions

Enforcement and Penalties

License Suspension and Revocation

Immediate Actions: Loss of rental license for:

Failure to provide alternative local emergency contact
Failure to provide occupancy tax payment evidence by September 30th
Operating without proper residential rental license

Compliance Monitoring

The Borough employs systematic enforcement through:

Complaint-Based Enforcement: Response to neighbor and community complaints
License Reviews: Annual renewal verification
Systematic Inspections: Regular inspection cycles

Common Violations

Operating without proper licensing
Tax collection or remittance failures
Occupancy limit violations
Property maintenance deficiencies
Guest conduct issues
Inadequate safety equipment

Source Pages and Official Documents

Primary Regulatory Documents

Lititz Borough Short-Term Rental Amendment Ordinance
- Source: www.lititzborough.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif801/f/news/short-term_rental_amendment.pdf
- Content: Complete regulatory framework for STRs in Lititz
Lititz Borough Zoning Ordinance (June 29, 2021)
- Source: www.lititzborough.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif801/f/uploads/zo_codified_version_6.29.2021.pdf
- Content: Section 430 contains complete STR regulations
- Key Sections:
  - Section 105 (Definitions)
  - Section 206-211, 219 (Zoning Districts allowing STRs)
  - Section 430 (Short-Term Rental regulations)

Additional Resources

The Offer Sheet Legal Guide (Supplementary Information)
- Source: local.theoffersheet.com/legal/lititz-pa/
- Note: This source provides additional context but should be verified against official borough documents

Critical Compliance Checklist for STR Operators

Before Operating:

[ ] Verify property is in permitted zoning district
[ ] Confirm owner-occupancy compliance (9+ months annually)
[ ] Secure residential rental license
[ ] Designate emergency contacts
[ ] Ensure adequate parking (1 space/unit or 1 space/2 guests)
[ ] Complete required inspections
[ ] Register with Lancaster County

Ongoing Operations:

[ ] Include license number in all listings
[ ] File occupancy taxes (state and county)
[ ] Maintain property standards
[ ] Respond to guest concerns promptly
[ ] Keep emergency contact information current
[ ] Submit annual tax payment evidence by September 30th

Annual Renewals:

[ ] Renew borough rental license
[ ] Renew county registration
[ ] Provide occupancy tax payment evidence
[ ] Update emergency contact information if changed

Remember: Compliance with these regulations is mandatory for legal STR operation in Lititz. Regular monitoring of regulatory updates is essential as municipalities frequently adjust STR policies.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Lititz

Nestled in the rolling farmland of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Lititz is a small borough of roughly nine thousand residents with an outsized reputation for charm. Founded in 1756 by Moravian settlers, the town retains much of its eighteenth- and nineteenth-century architecture along tree-lined brick streets, and it has the kind of independent bookstores, coffee shops, and craft boutiques that have earned it recognition as one of the "Coolest Small Towns in America." Lititz sits about seventy miles northwest of Philadelphia and only a short drive north of Lancaster, the county seat, making it an easy day-trip destination from either city while still feeling worlds away from urban pace. It is also a natural gateway to Pennsylvania Dutch Country, with its covered bridges, Amish farm stands, and rolling agricultural landscape spreading out in every direction.

At the heart of the borough is Lititz Springs Park, a small but picturesque green space threaded by the springs that gave the town its name. Surrounded by historic inns, restaurants, and storefronts, the park serves as the social anchor of downtown and hosts concerts, farmers' markets, and seasonal events throughout the year. Visitors can wander the surrounding blocks on foot, taking in restored Moravian buildings and locally owned shops, before settling in for a meal on a sidewalk patio. The downtown is compact and walkable, which makes it especially appealing to travelers who prefer to park once and explore on foot.

Just a few blocks from the square, the Julius Sturgis Pretzel House preserves the site of America's first commercial pretzel bakery, where soft pretzels were sold to the public beginning in 1861. Guided tours of the original brick ovens and storefront walk visitors through the German and Pennsylvania Dutch baking traditions that helped make the pretzel a household snack across the country. The hands-on twisting demonstrations are a particular draw for families passing through Lancaster County.

A short drive southeast of town, the Strasburg Rail Road offers a different kind of step back in time. Known as the oldest continuously operating railroad in the United States, it runs excursion trains through the surrounding Amish farmland and connects directly with the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, where visitors can walk among dozens of restored locomotives and passenger cars. Together, the train ride and the museum make for an easy half-day outing from Lititz and consistently rank among the most popular family attractions in the region.

Out along the wooded edges of northern Lancaster County, the Wolf Sanctuary of PA provides guided visits to resident gray and Arctic wolves, a quieter and more distinctive draw for travelers interested in wildlife. The combination of small-town walkability, deep colonial history, working farmland, and a full slate of nearby family attractions gives Lititz a broad and fairly year-round appeal. For owners considering a short-term rental, the town's central location within Lancaster County, its strong brand as a charming weekend escape, and the steady flow of visitors to Pennsylvania Dutch Country make it a particularly resilient base for guests looking to slow down and explore.