Note on scope: Your provided documents do not contain York, PA–specific short‑term rental regulations. They include (a) City of York, PA Ordinance No. 13 (2025) that amends Article 1761, which governs licensing and inspection of tenant‑occupied residential units and expressly includes “short‑term lodging accommodations” within licensing scope, and (b) Pennsylvania‑level analysis and regulatory context from a Joint State Government Commission (JSG) staff study dated March 2025. There are no York City or York County, PA STR permit rules, application forms, or local contacts provided.

Overview: Are STRs allowed in York, PA?

Short‑term lodging accommodations are allowed and are regulated under the City’s broader licensing and inspection program for tenant‑occupied residential units. However, the documents do not prescribe separate, STR‑specific requirements such as an STR registration certificate, distinct zoning approval (like a special use permit), or Pennsylvania‑statewide STR registration.

What is regulated: STRs fall within the definition of “tenant occupied residential dwelling unit,” which includes “short‑term lodging accommodations.” As a result, STR properties must obtain a residential tenant‑occupied rental license and comply with inspections and other duties under Article 1761 of the City Code.

What is not regulated in the provided documents: Pennsylvania statewide “short‑term rental” registration or a separate state STR license. State‑level governance remains fragmented by local ordinances, and the JSG 2025 study discusses approaches and recommendations but does not confirm enacted state‑wide STR rules as of March 2025. (Source: JSG Commission staff study, 3/2025.)

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

• Zoning confirmation

  • Verify that the property is zoned for a STR use (or whether a zoning variance/approval is needed). Your primary contacts are the City Planning/Zoning division and the Building Codes office. The provided documents do not include York‑specific zoning criteria or application forms; a direct inquiry is recommended.

• City licensing (Article 1761)

  • Obtain a residential tenant‑occupied rental license for the short‑term lodging accommodation from the City’s Department of Economic and Community Development (Economic & Community Development). Submit the license application and required fees, and comply with inspection requirements.

• Fire/life safety and habitability

  • Ensure compliance with the City’s Property Maintenance Code and Fire Prevention Code as part of the licensing and inspection process. Maintain required equipment (e.g., smoke detectors) and post required information.

• Business and tax accounts

  • Register with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (sales/use tax) and establish any required employer withholding/personal income tax accounts if you will employ staff. Where applicable, register for any local hotel occupancy tax (HOT) administered by York County or the City; the provided documents do not specify the applicable rate or administration for York County, PA.

• Recordkeeping and operations

  • Retain leases or occupancy agreements, guest records, safety plans, and inspection reports. STRs must visibly display the rental license and contact information for the owner/manager as required by Article 1761.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• City of York residential tenant‑occupied rental license

  • Scope: Required for all tenant‑occupied residential units, including short‑term lodging accommodations and bed‑and‑breakfast establishments.
  • Key submission requirements (from Article 1761):
    • Completed license application and annual fee.
    • Name and contact of owner; if owner does not reside locally, a local manager residing in York County or a contiguous county must be designated and authorized to accept service of process.
    • For Group R‑5 (student homes) only: institutional approval and tenant list; other occupancies do not require such lists.
    • The license must be displayed in the unit; it includes owner/manager contact details and expiration date.
  • Inspections: Group I and Group R occupancies are inspected on set frequencies (e.g., typically 24 months). Reinspections are required within 48 hours for life‑safety violations and within 30 days for other violations; two failed reinspections can lead to license revocation.
  • Fees: Annual license fees and any additional inspection fees are set by City Council resolution; see the Economic & Community Development Department for current schedule.
  • Legal and safety: The City may revoke licenses for noncompliance or unsafe structures. A notice of violation is issued with a correction date; upon two failed reinspections (without pending appeal), the license is revoked.

• State and local taxes

  • Pennsylvania Department of Revenue registration for sales/use tax is typically required when providing lodging. Additional local hotel occupancy taxes may apply (rate and administering authority not specified in provided documents).

• Building, fire, and property maintenance codes

  • Licensing is conditioned on compliance with the City’s Fire Prevention Code and Property Maintenance Code. The City may demand immediate revocation for structures deemed unsafe or unfit for human occupancy.

• Definitions relevant to licensing (Article 1761)

  • Short‑term lodging accommodations are treated as tenant‑occupied residential dwelling units, subject to licensing and inspection. Room rentals and bed‑and‑breakfasts are included in the license scope. Additional definitions (e.g., Manager, Disruptive Conduct) are in the ordinance and apply to landlord/manager obligations.

Regulations governing short‑term rentals in this market

• City of York, PA (Article 1761 licensing and inspection program)

  • STRs are expressly included within the licensing regime for tenant‑occupied residential units.
  • Requirements include annual licensing, inspection frequencies, reinspection timelines, and license revocation for code noncompliance.
  • Owners must designate a local manager if they live outside York County or a contiguous county; local manager authorization to accept service of process is required.
  • The Department of Economic and Community Development administers the program; violations can be enforced criminally via summary proceedings.

• York County, PA (no STR‑specific regulations provided)

  • The supplied documents do not include York County, PA short‑term rental regulations. The York County contact details you have pertain to York County, Virginia and should not be used for Pennsylvania matters.

• Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (state‑level context from JSG study)

  • No statewide STR registration exists as of March 2025; regulation remains primarily local.
  • State laws such as the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 and the Lodging and Housing Code apply to occupancy and habitability; planned community and homeowners’ association rules can further regulate or restrict rentals.
  • Sales/use tax typically applies to lodging transactions; local HOT may apply, administered by local authorities (rates vary).
  • The 2025 JSG study recommends establishing a “Transient Lodging” chapter of Title 48 (Lodging and House Code) and harmonizing definitions, but these are policy proposals, not enacted law as of the report date.

• Zoning

  • No city‑specific zoning criteria for STRs are provided in your materials. Confirm with City Planning/Zoning whether STRs are a permitted use, require a special exception, or are prohibited on your parcel.

• Litigation and policy trends (Pennsylvania context)

  • Municipalities have adopted varied approaches (e.g., registration, caps, owner‑occupancy requirements). Pennsylvania courts have generally upheld local regulation that is rationally related to legitimate public interests (e.g., safety, housing availability). This landscape suggests that local ordinances should be monitored for updates.

Contact information for the local authority in charge of STRs

• City of York, PA

  • Department of Economic and Community Development
    • Physical address: Not specified in provided documents
    • Website: Not provided
    • Notes: Administers Article 1761 licensing/inspections for tenant‑occupied units, including short‑term lodging accommodations. Direct inquiry is recommended to confirm current application forms, fees, and inspection scheduling.

• Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (state)

  • Phone: 717‑787‑1064 (General information)
  • Website: revenue.pa.gov
  • Notes: For sales/use tax registration related to lodging.

Links to source pages

• City of York, PA Ordinance No. 13 (2025) – Amends Article 1761 (Licensing and Inspection of Tenant‑Occupied Residential and Institutional Occupancies):

  • www.yorkcity.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Bill13.pdf

• Pennsylvania Joint State Government Commission – The Short‑Term Rental Industry in Pennsylvania (Staff Study, March 2025):

  • jsg.legis.state.pa.us/resources/documents/ftp/publications/2025-03-17%20Short-term%20Rental%20Web%203.17.25.pdf

Note on geographic confusion: The York County Quick Reference Guide and case studies pertain to York County, Virginia, not York, PA. Those URLs are not provided in your source list; therefore, they are not linked or relied upon.

Summary and next steps for STR investors in York, PA

• Short‑term lodging accommodations are allowed and must be licensed and inspected under City of York Article 1761. No separate state STR registration is documented in the provided materials.
• Confirm zoning status with City Planning/Zoning before proceeding.
• Prepare for City licensing (annual fee), inspections, and compliance with Fire Prevention and Property Maintenance Codes; designate a local manager if you live outside York County or a contiguous county.
• Register for Pennsylvania sales/use tax and identify the applicable local hotel occupancy tax administrator/rate (not specified in provided documents).
• Maintain records and ensure the license and owner/manager information is posted in the unit as required by Article 1761.