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

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Bellefonte, PA, but with specific zoning restrictions and regulatory requirements. STRs are permitted in the R-4 residential zoning district and all commercial zoning districts. Properties in R-1 and R-2 residential districts are more restricted - only pre-existing STRs that operated before January 1, 2023 may continue operating under grandfathered status.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Bellefonte

Starting an STR in Bellefonte requires navigating both borough and county-level requirements. Follow this systematic approach:

1. Zoning Compliance Verification

• Confirm your property is located in an R-4 residential or commercial zoning district
• Reference the Bellefonte Zoning Map to verify eligibility
• If your property is in R-1 or R-2 districts, verify whether it operated as an STR prior to January 1, 2023

2. Pre-Application Preparation

• Obtain an active Rental Housing Permit from Centre Region Code Administration (CRCA)
• Prepare property insurance documentation
• Register for and begin collecting Centre County hotel tax
• Document parking capacity compliance

3. Application Submission

• Complete the borough's short-term rental application with all required documentation
• Submit to the Bellefonte Borough Zoning Department for review
• The zoning officer has 30 days to approve or deny your application

4. Post-Approval Requirements

• Display required permits prominently at the property
• Maintain detailed rental records and schedules
• Prepare for annual renewal by January 31st

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Borough-Level Requirements

Short-Term Rental Permit:

• New Application Fee: $50
• Annual Renewal Fee: $130
• Due Date: January 31st annually

Required Application Materials:

• Property owner name, address, and contact information
• Person in charge contact details (must be 21+ years old, within 25 miles of Centre County Courthouse, available 24/7 when property is rented)
• Property address and zoning designation
• Square footage of dwelling and portion designated for STR use
• Number of bedrooms available for rental
• Parking certification documentation
• Proof of insurance for short-term rental operations
• Hotel tax registration and payment proof
• Property management contact information

County-Level Requirements

Centre Region Code Administration (CRCA) Rental Housing Permit:

• Required for all STR operations in Bellefonte
• Separate from borough permit requirements
• Must remain active throughout STR operation

State-Level Requirements

Pennsylvania Hotel Occupancy Tax Registration:

• Must register with Centre County for tax collection
• Required for all short-term rental operations
• Ongoing tax remittance obligations

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Bellefonte Borough Regulations

Zoning Districts:

• R-4 Residential: New STRs allowed with proper permits
• Commercial Districts: New STRs allowed with proper permits
• R-1 & R-2 Residential: Only pre-existing STRs (operating before Jan 1, 2023) may continue operation

Nightly Rental Limits:

• R-1/R-2 Pre-existing STRs: Maximum 60 nights per calendar year
• R-4 & Commercial Districts: No annual night limit (can operate year-round)

Parking Requirements:

• Maximum 2 on-street parking spaces per STR property
• Total parking spaces (on-street + off-street) cannot exceed number of bedrooms
• All parking must comply with municipal parking ordinances

Occupancy Rules:

• Both owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied STRs permitted
• No owner-occupancy requirement

Operational Requirements:

• STR defined as rental "in increments of 29 consecutive nights or less"
• Must maintain rental schedule/calendar showing all rental periods
• Rental records required for annual renewal documentation
• Signage optional but must comply with borough sign ordinance if used

Enforcement and Penalties:

• Warnings, fines, and permit suspension for violations
• 30-day application review period
• Abandonment if STR status not maintained for one year in R-1/R-2 districts
• New permit required within one year of property sale

Centre County Regulations

• Hotel room tax registration and collection requirements
• Property maintenance code compliance
• Standard rental housing safety requirements through CRCA

Pennsylvania State Regulations

• Pennsylvania hotel occupancy tax collection and remittance
• Standard landlord-tenant law compliance for short-term stays
• Property tax obligations

Contact Information

Primary STR Authority

Bellefonte Borough Zoning Department
Attn: Gina Thompson
301 North Spring Street, Suite 200
Bellefonte, PA 16823
Phone: (814) 355-1501
Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM–4:30 PM

Secondary Contacts

Centre Region Code Administration
For Rental Housing Permits
Website: Available through borough links

Centre County Tax Office
For Hotel Tax Registration
Website: centrecountypa.gov

Emergency Services

Water and Sewer (After Hours): 1-800-479-0050
All Other Emergencies: 911

Source Links and Resources

Official Borough Documents

• Borough STR Homepage
• 2024 STR Application and Checklist
• Rental Housing Permit Application
• Annual Renewal Permit Checklist
• Borough STR Ordinance
• Zoning Map

News and Analysis Sources

• Centre Daily Times STR Overview
• Bellefonte STR Ordinance Details

Administrative Resources

• Centre County Hotel Tax Information
• Borough Ordinances
• Permits & Forms

This comprehensive guide provides all necessary information for STR investors considering Bellefonte, PA. The borough's relatively permissive approach to STRs in R-4 and commercial districts, combined with reasonable regulatory requirements, creates opportunities for both new investors and existing STR operators in appropriate zoning districts.