Overview

• Are short-term rentals allowed in Milton, PA? Yes. The Borough Code Enforcement Officer confirms “all Rentals/AirBnB, long term and short term rentals shall be inspected by the Borough of Milton Code Enforcement Officer.” There are no restrictions or prohibitions stated in the provided documents.

1. Market Entry: How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Milton, PA

• Confirm zoning eligibility
  • Identify the zoning district for your property (the ordinances list common residential districts; STRs are treated as rentals under the Borough’s inspection framework, and no explicit prohibition is included in the provided materials).
  • If your property is in a floodplain, ensure any proposed improvements comply with floodplain requirements (Borough, PA DEP, and H&H engineering studies and approvals may be required for development in the floodway).
• Design to code
  • All construction, alterations, and repairs must comply with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code (UCC) as adopted by Pennsylvania and the Borough of Milton. Obtain building and zoning permits before work begins.
  • If any structural, mechanical, electrical, or plumbing work is planned (even interior renovations), a UCC permit is required.
• Schedule Borough inspections
  • Rental inspections are mandatory at least every 3 years for “all Rentals/AirBnB.” Fees: $150 for a single building with one apartment; $25 for each additional apartment. Payment is due at inspection or an invoice will be mailed. Failure to pay results in cancellation of the rental permit approval and additional fines/penalties, including reimbursement to the Borough for legal fees.
• Property standards to maintain (non-exhaustive)
  • Grass/weeds ≤ 8 inches; no grass clippings in streets; trash in covered, leak-proof containers; no outdoor placement of interior furniture; comply with burning restrictions; obtain a zoning/building permit for satellite dish installation and meet mounting/grounding rules; fence pools/spas (≥48-inch height, self-closing/latching gates); remove snow from sidewalks within 24 hours of a storm ending.
  • If the property lies within the floodplain, additional standards apply (anchoring, flood vents, approvals).
• Insurance and risk management
  • Obtain appropriate liability and property coverage for transient occupancy and protect against flood exposure when applicable. Flood insurance may be required if the property is within a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA); confirm with FEMA flood maps.
• Operational readiness
  • Prepare guest communications for local ordinances (quiet hours, trash/recycling schedules, parking rules).
  • Confirm utilities are compliant and safe (UCC standards for mechanical, electrical, plumbing).

2. Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Borough (City) Requirements
  • Building/Zoning Permits: Required under the PA UCC and Borough zoning for construction, remodeling, alterations, and repairs. Submit plans/drawings per UCC rules; obtain approvals and inspections before occupancy.
  • Rental Inspections: Required at least every 3 years; fees as listed above; non-payment leads to permit cancellation and penalties.
  • Floodplain Permits (if applicable): Required for any man-made development within the floodplain. Development in the floodway requires Borough, PA DEP, and engineering H&H studies/approvals.
• County-Level
  • The provided documents do not specify Northumberland County short-term rental ordinances or licenses. Contact the County for any local taxes, health permits, or zoning overlays beyond the Borough.
• State-Level (Pennsylvania)
  • Sales and Use Tax: Short-term lodging is subject to PA sales tax (6%). You must register with the PA Department of Revenue (PA DOR) to collect and remit.
  • Local Hotel Occupancy Tax (LHO or “Local Hotel Tax”): May apply if the local taxing jurisdiction has enacted one; the state typically administers collection. Check with the PA DOR and your municipality for local rates and filing requirements. If your property is in Milton Borough, confirm whether a local hotel tax is in effect and its current rate.
  • UCC Compliance: Ensure life-safety systems (e.g., smoke/CO detection, egress) meet current codes. UCC governs construction and certain safety systems; confirm current requirements with the Borough Code Enforcement Officer.

3. Specific Regulations Applicable in Milton, PA

• Borough Ordinances (as provided)
  • Rental inspections: Mandatory once every 3 years minimum for all rentals including STRs; inspection fees $150 (one apartment), $25 per additional apartment.
  • UCC Compliance: Building and zoning permits required for development per PA UCC as adopted by Borough; inspections per UCC process.
  • Floodplain: All man-made development in the floodplain requires building and zoning permits; floodway development requires Borough, PA DEP, and H&H approvals; anchoring and flood vents as required; applies to fences, sheds, pools, etc.
  • Property Maintenance and Quality of Life: Grass ≤ 8 inches; covered trash containers; no interior furniture outdoors; strict burning limitations; satellite dish rules (one per residence, roof/wall/ground-based, ≤40 inches, proper grounding, wiring underground); pool fencing and hot tub covers; sidewalk snow removal within 24 hours; no unregistered/abandoned vehicles outdoors; signage removal rules; permits required for driveway/sidewalk replacement and dumpster placement.
• County and State Level
  • County: No STR-specific regulations were provided; check with Northumberland County for any additional licensing or taxes.
  • State (Pennsylvania): UCC compliance; tax obligations (sales tax; possible local hotel occupancy tax); floodplain compliance via PA DEP where applicable; no STR ban or statewide license/permit requirement beyond what local governments impose.

4. Local Authority Contacts (Milton, PA)

• Borough of Milton – Code Enforcement & Zoning Office
  • Phone: (570) 742-8759
  • Address: 2 Filbert Street, Milton PA 17847
  • Website: www.miltonpa.org
  • Email: ddiehl@miltonpa.org
  • Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30am–3:30pm
  • For rental inspections, building/zoning permits, UCC questions, and floodplain requirements.

5. Source Pages (as provided)

• Property Owners Helpful Information (Borough of Milton PDF): www.miltonpa.org/wp-content/uploads/Property-Owners-Helpful-Information-.pdf
• Milton Township Zoning Ordinance (Michigan – NOT applicable to Milton, PA; included as separate document but not relevant to Milton, PA): miltontownship.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/1.11.24-zoning-ordinance-updated.pdf

Notes and Practical Guidance

• Verify whether a Borough rental registration, business privilege license, or zoning special use approval is required in addition to UCC permits and the triennial rental inspection. The provided Borough content describes inspections and fees but does not explicitly require a separate registration/license; confirm with the Code Enforcement Officer.
• Sales tax and local hotel occupancy tax: Pennsylvania treats STRs like hotels for sales and use tax purposes. Register with PA DOR, collect the appropriate taxes, and confirm if a local hotel tax applies to Milton.
• Flood risk: If the property is in a floodplain, incorporate floodproofing and obtain any required permits. Consider recommending or requiring guest coverage for flood-related losses in your rental agreement, if appropriate.
• Operational policies: Translate the Borough’s rules into guest-friendly policies (e.g., refuse management, satellite dish constraints, pool safety, burning restrictions) to ensure compliance and reduce violations.

This guide is based exclusively on the provided documents. Where the documents do not specify (e.g., local hotel tax rate, any Borough rental registration beyond inspections), contact the local authority and the PA Department of Revenue.