Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson
Last updated August 23, 2023
Philadelphia Short-Term Rental Regulations
Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.
City Code of Ordinances
According to the Philadelphia Code, there are two types of short-term rentals. Limited Lodging is the short-term rental of a unit that has a primary residence, and visitor accommodations, which is the rental of a unit that does not have a primary resident.Visit the Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections for more information.
Business License Requirements
For Limited Lodging, the following applications are needed:- Limited Lodging Operators License
- Commercial Activity License
- Zoning Permit for Limited Lodging
- Get the zoning regulations of Limited Lodging
For Visitor Accommodations, the following applications are needed:
- Rental License
- Commercial Activity License
- Zoning Permit for Visitor Accommodations
- Get the zoning regulations for Visitor Accommodations
Building and Housing Standards
Philadelphia has rules and regulations that specify minimum building, design, maintenance standards, habitability, health, and safety requirements. Some rules and regulations that apply to residential and non-residential properties may apply to your listing. Visit the Department of Licenses and Inspections for more information.Tourist and Local Taxes
The host or operator must pay the City of Philadelphia Hotel Tax monthly. The tax is 8.5% of the amount received through renting. Short-term rentals might also be subjected to the state and county sales tax and are liable for payment as established by state and county law.Other Rules
It is also essential to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo boards, co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable. Visit the City of Philadelphia for more information.Is something not quite right? Registered users can suggest changes to this guide.
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Short Term City Rating5.2
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Competition
3.1 -
Real Estate Cost
7.8 -
STR Regulations
4.0 -
Seasonality
5.7 -
Rental Rates
5.1
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 1,603,797
- STR License Required
- Yes
- Tourist Season
- County
- Philadelphia
- Airports
- Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
- Northeast Philadelphia Airport (PNE)
Want to learn more about Philadelphia?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our Philadelphia rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Philadelphia rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Philadelphia.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Philadelphia guests.
Interested in other Pennsylvania cities?
Check out the Pennsylvania Airbnb rules directory
What makes Philadelphia a great place to invest?
- Rich Historical Experience: Philadelphia, the birthplace of American independence, is home to iconic landmarks such as the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the National Constitution Center. A visit to these historical sites offers a fascinating insight into the founding of the United States and the principles that shaped the nation.
- Exceptional Art Scene: With world-class museums like the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Barnes Foundation, and the Rodin Museum, Philadelphia is an art lover's paradise. Don't forget to strike a pose with the famous Rocky statue at the foot of the Art Museum steps!
- Scrumptious Culinary Delights: From the legendary Philly cheesesteak to Reading Terminal Market, one of America's oldest public markets, Philadelphia is a foodie's dream destination. Indulge in diverse and delicious fare at hip cafes, gourmet restaurants, and mouth-watering street food stalls.
- Lush Green Spaces: The city's picturesque parks, such as Fairmount Park, Wissahickon Valley Park, and the Schuylkill River Trail, offer a serene escape from the urban hustle. Unwind amidst nature, hike, bike, or simply enjoy a picnic with family and friends in these verdant oases.
- Thrilling Sports Action: Catch electrifying live games featuring Philadelphia's passionate sports teams, like the Eagles (NFL), Flyers (NHL), 76ers (NBA), and Phillies (MLB). The city's fervent fan base guarantees an unforgettable, high-energy experience for sports enthusiasts.
- Family-Friendly Attractions: Philadelphia is packed with engaging attractions for all ages, such as the Adventure Aquarium, the Franklin Institute, and the Philadelphia Zoo. These interactive and educational experiences make the city a perfect destination for creating cherished family memories.
Philadelphia Nearby Cities
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24 miles away
- Rating: 6.0
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44 miles away
- Rating: 6.6
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Philadelphia?
The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Philadelphia has decreased -6% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $242, which is lower than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$337,298
-6% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$242
-4% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$1,761
3% YoY
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Common terms for Philadelphia short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in Philadelphia has a description approximately 1,549 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 5,822 listings in Philadelphia, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are City, Philadelphia, Block, Place, Comfortable, Spacious, Walking, Perfect, Smart, and Philly.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Philadelphia?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Philadelphia involve going to the City Centre, Museums, the Zoo, the Health Spa, and Casinos. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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City Centre
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Museums
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Zoo
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Health Spa
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Casinos
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Antiquing
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Cycling
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Outlet Shopping
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Boating
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Hiking
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Ice Skating
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Winery Tours
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Philadelphia, including Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Temple University, Rittenhouse Square, and Liberty Bell Center. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Well Known Attraction
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Pennsylvania Convention Center
Included on nearly all listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Philadelphia Museum of Art
Included on nearly all listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Temple University
Included on nearly all listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Rittenhouse Square
Included on nearly all listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Liberty Bell Center
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Reading Terminal Market
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Drexel University
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Philadelphia Zoo
Included on nearly all listings
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Regional Landmark
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Eastern State Penitentiary
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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Fairmount Park
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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Rocky Statue
Included on nearly all listings
What’s the weather like in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?
The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 64°, while the average low is about 48°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 39 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 18 inches per year. The humidity levels in Philadelphia are generally lower than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
29° Low 43° High
Spring
March through May
45° Low 64° High
Summer
June through August
67° Low 84° High
Fall
September through November
50° Low 66° High
Cities Near Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is located in Philadelphia County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
