Overview and permission status (city of Erie)

Yes—short‑term rentals are explicitly allowed in the City of Erie, but only with proper zoning approval and a city short‑term rental license. The City defines a Short‑Term Rental as any dwelling unit (or room(s) within a dwelling) rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days, with or without the owner/manager present. STRs are permitted as follows:

• Permitted use in multiple residential and commercial districts: R‑1 Low Density Residential, R‑1A Traditional Single‑Family Residential, R‑2 Medium Density Residential, R‑3 High Density Residential, RLB Residential Limited Business, C‑1 Local Commercial, C‑2 General Commercial, C‑3 Central Commercial, C‑4 Traditional Neighborhood Commercial, and waterfront districts W‑C, W‑C2, W‑C3, and W‑R (subject to conditions).
• In R‑1 and R‑1A (low‑density residential), the City has special exceptions/standards (see “Erie city‑specific operating rules” below). An STR license cannot be issued unless and until the property receives zoning approval and a Zoning Certificate. Operating without a license is a violation subject to enforcement and penalties.

How to start an STR business in Erie (procedural pathway)

The City requires a three‑stage process before renting:

1. Pre‑Application Meeting (Zoning)

• Contact the Zoning Office to confirm eligibility, review the property, and confirm the zoning district and preliminary zoning approval.

2. Zoning Approval and Zoning Certificate

• Submit the STR application (with required attachments) to the Zoning Office.
• Once zoning compliance is confirmed, you receive a Zoning Certificate and are directed to the Licensing Office.

3. Registration, Inspection, and License Issuance (Licensing)

• Provide the Zoning Certificate to the Licensing Office.
• Complete the STR registration form.
• Schedule an initial property inspection with the City Building Inspector.
• Upon passing inspection, the Building Inspector issues a Certificate of Occupancy for the STR.
• The Licensing Office issues your STR License.

Required documents, permits, and approvals

• Short‑Term Rental Application (City of Erie), including:
  • Rental Property Address and Index Number; Type of Structure; Number of rentable units
  • Owner information (no P.O. Boxes); Responsible Agent information (must reside in Erie County)
  • Zoning District; Maximum Occupancy; Number of off‑street parking spaces
• STR Zoning Compliance Checklist, confirming:
  • Zoning occupancy limit; Bedroom sizes/numbers; Off‑street parking availability
  • Posted STR Occupant Notice requirements; Guest log; Business contact person with 24‑hour contact and 1‑hour response
  • In R‑1/R‑1A: family occupancy limit; rear/side yard screening; outdoor lighting controls; no outdoor loudspeakers/sound systems
• STR Occupant Notice (sample provided in City materials), to be posted inside the unit on or adjacent to the front door, including:
  • Name and 24‑hour phone of contact person; Maximum occupancy
  • Parking rules; Waste disposal directions
  • Noise hours and disturbance prohibition; Potential fines/citations
• Site plan/parking diagram and photos showing required parking and screening (as applicable)
• Zoning Certificate (issued post zoning approval)
• Certificate of Occupancy for the STR (issued after Building Inspector inspection)
• Responsible Agent designation (required for all STRs; if owner resides outside Erie County, a Responsible Agent is mandatory)

Notes:

• The license is non‑transferable and does not run with the property. A new owner must apply for a new STR license before continuing operation.
• All STR listings must display the license number; advertising without the license number is grounds for license cancellation.

Erie city‑specific operating rules

• Occupancy: May not exceed the number allowed by the applicable zoning district.
• Overnight occupancy of recreational vehicles, campers, and tents is prohibited.
• Behavioral standards: Guests may not engage in disorderly conduct or disturb peace and quiet; owners must prevent reoccurrence.
• Responsible Contact Person:
  • Owner, manager, or agent with actual authority to represent the owner for emergency and non‑emergency contact
  • 24‑hour contact number; ability to respond within 1 hour
  • Notify the City in writing within 14 days of any change
• Noise:
  • No unreasonable noise plainly audible outside during:
    • Sunday–Thursday: 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM
    • Friday–Saturday: 11:59 PM to 8:00 AM
• Guest Log: Maintain a guest log with names and dates; must be available for City inspection.
• Listings: Include the STR license number in all advertisements.
• In‑Unit Posting: Post the STR license and operating conditions in a conspicuous location.
• Safety devices and building code compliance are required (e.g., smoke/CO detectors, extinguishers as applicable).
• Additional R‑1/R‑1A requirements:
  • Occupancy limited to one “Family” as defined
  • Minimum one off‑street parking space per rentable unit
  • Screening of rear and side yard outdoor living areas to abutting properties in “R” districts
  • Outdoor lighting designed to prevent glare to adjacent properties
  • No outdoor loudspeakers or sound systems

County‑level regulations (Lawrence Park Township – Erie County, PA)

Lawrence Park Township adopted Ordinance 2023‑4 to regulate STRs (short‑term rentals defined as rent primarily under 30 consecutive days). Key provisions include:

• Allowed zones: R‑2 Residential Districts; B‑1 Business Districts
• Separate annual license required for each STR dwelling; license issued only to the owner; license is non‑transferable; renew annually
• Outstanding code violations render a property ineligible until corrected
• Contact Person:
  • 24‑hour accessibility; able and willing to respond in person within 1 hour
  • Must notify Township within 14 days of any contact‑person change
• Application requirements (submit to Zoning Administrator):
  • Owner and contact person details; 24‑hour phone/email
  • Current photo of the STR; floor plan to scale
  • Acknowledgment that bedrooms are ≥70 sq ft
  • Number of bedrooms and maximum overnight occupants
  • On‑site parking diagram/photos; maximum vehicles allowed
  • Acknowledgments re: posted 911 emergency address sign and familiarity with regulations
• Occupancy and parking standards:
  • Overnight occupancy capped by license; average of 2 persons per bedroom; children ≤12 do not count toward overnight limit
  • Max non‑registered day guests: 75% of overnight occupancy
  • Minimum 1 parking space per bedroom; spaces must be improved (paved/stone/mud‑free); parked on‑site; not in public/private right‑of‑way; driveway access if accessed directly by township/state road
• Waste and posting:
  • Post license and conditions inside unit; post contact info, occupancy, parking, on‑site parking layout; trash/refuse rules
• Neighborhood behavior:
  • No loud/unusual noise or disorderly conduct that disturbs peace
• Inspections and enforcement:
  • Inspections authorized upon application/issuance
  • Violations handled via Notice of Violation; civil penalties up to $500/day plus costs/attorney fees; license revocation triggers
• Appeals:
  • File with Board of Commissioners within 30 days; hearings per Local Agency Law Note: Inspection and licensing fees are set by Board resolution and may change.

State‑level regulations (Pennsylvania)

Pennsylvania does not impose a general statewide STR registration or operating ordinance; rules are municipal/county‑specific. State‑level requirements include:

• Hotel Occupancy Tax: 6% (same as state sales tax). Additional 1% local hotel tax applies in Allegheny and Philadelphia counties (not Erie County).
• Registration and filing: Register for a tax license at mypath.pa.gov; file/pay electronically via myPATH.
• Income reporting:
  • Rentals under 30 days: Report on federal Schedule C (business income).
  • Rentals 30+ days: Report on Schedule E, Schedule R, or as Royalty Income as applicable.
• Consult the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue for current tax guidance.

Contacts and authorities

• City of Erie Zoning Office (Dept. of Planning & Neighborhood Resources)
  • Address: 626 State Street, Room 407, Erie, PA
  • Phone: 814‑870‑1265 or 814‑870‑1273
  • Email: zoning@erie.pa.us
  • Notes: Zoning Certificate required before licensing; complete application package and STR Occupant Notice templates available from this office
• City of Erie Licensing/Building Inspection (for Certificate of Occupancy and STR license)
  • Typically coordinated via the Licensing Office after zoning approval and inspection scheduling with the Building Inspector
  • For official intake, routing, and inspection scheduling, contact the City of Erie Zoning Office (above) which directs applicants to the Licensing Office
• Lawrence Park Township (Erie County)
  • Address: 4230 Iroquois Avenue, Erie, PA 16511
  • Phone: 814‑899‑2305
  • Fax: 814‑899‑3227
  • Email: clerk@lawrenceparktwp.org
  • Use for township‑specific STR licensing and zoning in Lawrence Park Township
• Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (taxes)
  • Website: mypath.pa.gov (registration and tax filing for hotel occupancy tax)

Key pitfalls and practical tips

• Don’t list until you have both the Zoning Certificate and the STR License; license numbers must appear in all ads.
• Verify zoning district eligibility first; waterfront districts have additional considerations.
• Maintain the guest log and ensure 24/7 contact person availability with a 1‑hour response capability.
• In R‑1/R‑1A, install rear/side‑yard screening as required and avoid any outdoor sound systems.
• Provide at least one off‑street parking space per rentable unit; ensure parking is on‑site and compliant.
• New ownership requires a new application and license; the STR license does not transfer automatically.
• Lawrence Park operators must comply with bedroom size limits (≥70 sq ft) and township parking/sewage standards.

Sources

• City of Erie Zoning Ordinance (Section 305.49 Short‑Term Rentals) and STR application/forms:
  • ecode360.com/ER3969/document/738760650.pdf
• Erie Times‑News coverage of City Council adoption of STR zoning amendments:
  • www.goerie.com/story/news/local/2023/04/20/erie-pa-new-rules-short-term-rentals-heres-the-breakdown-airbnb-vrbo-zoning-glenwood/70129873007/
• Lawrence Park Township Ordinance 2023‑4 (Short‑Term Rentals):
  • www.lawrenceparktwp.org/2023-4-short-term-rentals/