Pittsburgh Short Term Rental Regulation: A Guide For Airbnb Hosts

What are Short Term Rental (Airbnb, VRBO) Regulations in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania?

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has regulations in place to govern short-term rentals, including those listed on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. These regulations are designed to ensure the safety, compatibility, and well-being of tenants and the surrounding community.

Starting a Short Term Rental Business in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is a popular destination for tourists, with over 12.6 million visitors annually. The city is known for its attractions such as the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Botanical Gardens, and Fairmont Pittsburgh. As a result, the short-term rental market in Pittsburgh is thriving, with 1,022 Airbnb listings as of 2023. However, the city has proposed regulations that could affect the short-term rental business.

The short-term rental market in Pittsburgh is a significant contributor to the city's economy. According to a study by Airbnb, the platform generated $24 million in economic activity in Pittsburgh in 2018. Additionally, short-term rental operators in Pittsburgh paid $1.5 million in hotel taxes in 2018. However, the city has proposed regulations that could affect the short-term rental business, such as licensing requirements and limits on the length of a guest's stay.

Short Term Rental Licensing Requirement in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh City Council has proposed regulations that would require short-term rental operators to be licensed by the city and renew annually. The proposed policy also includes keeping records of anyone who enters the property and establishing a contact person available to authorities in an emergency. Additionally, the policy includes a limit of how long a guest can stay to 15 days.

The proposed licensing requirement is a significant change for short-term rental operators in Pittsburgh. Currently, there are no licensing requirements for short-term rental operators in the city. However, the proposed regulations would require operators to provide the street address of each rental unit, the number of units within each property, their name and contact information, a copy of their identification, and a copy of an occupancy permit for properties that require one.

The proposed regulations also include a requirement for short-term rental operators to keep records of anyone who enters the property and establish a contact person available to authorities in an emergency. This requirement is intended to address concerns about safety and security in short-term rentals.

Required Documents for Pittsburgh Short Term Rentals

To obtain a license for a short-term rental in Pittsburgh, operators would need to provide the following documents:

• The street address of each rental unit
• The number of units within each property
• Their name and contact information
• A copy of their identification
• A copy of an occupancy permit for properties that require one

These documents would be required to be submitted annually to the Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections.

Pittsburgh Short Term Rental Taxes

In Pittsburgh, short-term rental operators are required to collect and remit the city's 7% hotel tax on all bookings. Failure to comply with this tax requirement can result in fines and legal action.

The hotel tax is a significant source of revenue for the city. In 2018, the city collected $20 million in hotel tax revenue. Short-term rental operators are required to collect and remit the hotel tax for each booking, regardless of the length of the stay.

Pittsburgh-wide Short Term Rental Rules

Pittsburgh has not yet implemented strict short-term rental regulations, but the city council has proposed regulations that would require licensing and limit the length of a guest's stay. Additionally, Pittsburgh has proposed regulations that would require short-term rental operators to keep records of anyone who enters the property and establish a contact person available to authorities in an emergency.

The proposed regulations are intended to address concerns about safety and security in short-term rentals. The regulations would also ensure that short-term rental operators are operating legally and paying the required hotel tax.

Does Pittsburgh Strictly Enforce STR Rules? Is Pittsburgh Airbnb Friendly?

Pittsburgh is generally considered to be Airbnb-friendly, with no strict short-term rental regulations currently in place. However, the city has proposed regulations that could affect the short-term rental business, such as licensing requirements and limits on the length of a guest's stay. It remains to be seen how strictly these regulations will be enforced.

Despite the proposed regulations, many short-term rental owners in Pittsburgh are unhappy with the city's proposed regulations. The Steel City Short Term Rental Alliance, which represents Airbnb owners, has called for effective legislation and has offered to work directly with the city to develop the legislation.

The Steel City Short Term Rental Alliance has expressed concerns about the proposed regulations, such as the requirement for operators to keep records of anyone who enters the property and establish a contact person available to authorities in an emergency. The alliance has also expressed concerns about the proposed limit on the length of a guest's stay, which could impact the profitability of short-term rental businesses.

Despite these concerns, the Steel City Short Term Rental Alliance has expressed a willingness to work with the city to develop effective legislation that supports the short-term rental business while also addressing the concerns of residents and traditional hotel and motel operators.

How to Start a Short Term Rental Business in Pittsburgh

To start a short-term rental business in Pittsburgh, follow these steps:

• Research the local regulations and obtain any necessary permits and licenses.
• Find a suitable property that meets the city's requirements for short-term rentals.
• Set up the property with necessary amenities and furnishings.
• List the property on popular short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb or VRBO.
• Collect and remit the city's 7% hotel tax on all bookings.
• Keep records of anyone who enters the property and establish a contact person available to authorities in an emergency.

It is important to note that these steps are subject to change based on the proposed regulations. It is recommended that potential short-term rental operators stay up-to-date on the city's proposed regulations and adjust their business practices accordingly.

Who to Contact in Pittsburgh about Short Term Rental Regulations and Zoning

For more information about short-term rental regulations and zoning in Pittsburgh, contact the Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections at (412) 255-2200 or dlapi@pittsburghpa.gov.

The Department of Permits, Licenses and Inspections is responsible for enforcing the city's regulations related to short-term rentals. The department can provide information about the licensing process, hotel tax requirements, and other regulations related to short-term rentals.

What do Airbnb Hosts in Pittsburgh on Reddit and Bigger Pockets Think about Local Regulations?

Airbnb hosts in Pittsburgh have expressed mixed feelings about local regulations on Reddit and Bigger Pockets. Some hosts have expressed concern about the proposed regulations, such as licensing requirements and limits on the length of a guest's stay. Others have expressed frustration with the city's lack of enforcement of existing regulations, such as the requirement to collect and remit the city's 7% hotel tax on all bookings.

However, many hosts have expressed a willingness to work with the city to develop effective legislation that supports the short-term rental business while also addressing the concerns of residents and traditional hotel and motel operators.

One host on Reddit expressed frustration with the city's lack of enforcement of the hotel tax requirement, stating that they had been operating a short-term rental for over a year without paying the tax. The host expressed a desire for the city to enforce the hotel tax requirement and ensure that all short-term rental operators are operating legally.

Another host on Bigger Pockets expressed concern about the proposed licensing requirement, stating that it could be a significant burden for small-scale operators. The host expressed a desire for the city to consider the impact of the regulations on small-scale operators and develop regulations that are fair and reasonable.

In conclusion, the short-term rental market in Pittsburgh is a significant contributor to the city's economy. However, the city has proposed regulations that could affect the short-term rental business, such as licensing requirements and limits on the length of a guest's stay. It remains to be seen how strictly these regulations will be enforced and how they will impact the short-term rental business in Pittsburgh. It is important for potential short-term rental operators to stay up-to-date on the city's proposed regulations and adjust their business practices accordingly.