Millersville, Pennsylvania Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

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

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Millersville Borough, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The Borough Council adopted Ordinance 2024-04 on June 25, 2024, which amended Chapter 380 of the Zoning Code to provide comprehensive regulations governing short-term rentals. However, they are only permitted through a special exception process and are subject to strict operational requirements and limitations.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Millersville?

Millersville hosts earn a median $27,761/year with $205 ADR and 50% occupancy.

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See the full Millersville market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Millersville

1. Property Assessment and Zoning Verification

Confirm your property is located within Millersville Borough limits
Verify the zoning district allows short-term rentals (see zoning table below)
Ensure the property structure meets requirements (only one STR unit per structure, no additional dwelling units)

2. Special Exception Application Process

Apply to the Zoning Hearing Board for a special exception
Submit required documentation including building plans and compliance reports
Attend public hearing for Board review and approval

3. Building Code Compliance

Obtain Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code compliance report from certified inspector
Complete any required modifications for sprinklers and accessibility
Address specific safety equipment requirements

4. Registration and Permits

Register with Lancaster County Treasurer for hotel/room taxes
Obtain annual permit from Zoning Officer
Complete use and occupancy permit process

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Special Exception Application Requirements:

Building plans identifying proposed short-term rental unit layout
Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code compliance report from certified accessibility inspector/plans examiner
Structural modification plans for compliance with new use group requirements
Detailed fire safety and accessibility compliance documentation

Annual Permit Application Requirements:

Local contact person information
Confirmation of compliance with all STR regulations
Certification that property meets all applicable Borough ordinances
Any required fees (amounts set by Borough Council resolution)

Mandatory Safety Equipment and Features:

Smoke detector in each bedroom
Smoke detector outside each bedroom in common hallway
Smoke detector on each floor (including attic and basement)
GFCI outlets within six feet of water sources
Metal exhaust duct from dryer (if dryer provided)
Carbon monoxide detectors (if fossil fuel appliances/furnace present)
Carbon monoxide detectors (if garage attached to unit)
Fire extinguisher in kitchen with current charging tag
Indoor and outdoor stairs in good condition with handrails
Properly covered outlets and switches
Fully functional bathing and toilet facilities
Fully functional kitchen
Floor plan placard showing route to front door exit

Registration Requirements:

Lancaster County Treasurer registration for hotel/room tax collection
Annual STR permit from Millersville Borough Zoning Officer

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Property Limitations:

Maximum one short-term rental unit per structure
Cannot be located in structure containing additional dwelling units
Maximum six bedrooms per STR unit
Maximum occupancy: 2 people per bedroom (excluding children under 5)
Renters must be 21 years of age or older

Operational Requirements:

Local Contact Person:

Must be designated by property owner
Must have access and authority to manage the unit
Owner may serve as contact if residing within Borough or 20 miles of property
Must respond to Borough/police notifications within one hour
Must be available at all times during operation
Change requires written notice to Zoning Officer

Required Property Posting:

Information placard continuously posted at unit containing:

Name and 24-hour contact number of local contact person/owner
Property's 911 address
Maximum number of permitted occupants
Maximum number of permitted vehicles and parking restrictions
Trash storage requirements and limitations
Notice of potential fines for disturbances

Parking and Vehicle Restrictions:

No parking permitted in public road right-of-way
Parking on grass prohibited
All vehicles must park within garage (if provided) or on paved driveway/off-street parking space
Maximum vehicle limit must be specified on posted notice

Trash Management:

Trash and refuse cannot be left or stored on exterior except in secure, waterproof metal or plastic containers
Maximum three secured containers permitted

Zoning District Permitted Uses Table:

| Zoning District | Short-Term Rental Status | |----------------|------------------------| | R1 (Single-Family Residential) | Special Exception Required | | R2 (Two-Family Residential) | Not Permitted | | R3 (Multi-Family Residential) | Not Permitted | | P (Park District) | Not Permitted | | RP (Residential Professional) | Special Exception Required | | NC (Neighborhood Commercial) | Not Permitted | | GC (General Commercial) | Not Permitted | | R-1A (Residential) | Not Permitted |

Compliance and Enforcement:

Annual permit renewal required
Zoning Officer may conduct inspections
Operation without required annual permit is a violation
Borough ordinances and state law compliance required
Owners must use best efforts to prevent disturbances
Immediate response required for violation notifications

Tax Obligations:

Lancaster County hotel and/or room tax registration required
Collection and remittance obligations apply
Certificate of occupancy withheld until tax registration confirmed

Contact Information for Local Authority

Millersville Borough Government

Address: 100 Municipal Drive
Millersville, PA 17551

Phone: 717-872-4645
Fax: 717-872-1895
Email: millersville@millersvilleborough.org

Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00am - 5:00pm

Key Departments:

Code Enforcement & Zoning Department

Special exception applications
Zoning permit processing
Annual STR permit renewals
Property compliance inspections

Administration & Finance Department

General borough administration
Tax registration guidance
Licensing requirements

Zoning Hearing Board

Reviews and approves special exception applications for short-term rentals
Public hearing scheduling and proceedings

Links to Source Pages

Millersville Borough Short-Term Rental Ordinance (2024-04): millersvilleborough.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Ordinance-Short-Term-Rentals-3657013d-240206-3-71.pdf
Borough Ordinances Directory: millersvilleborough.org/government/ordinances/
Borough Code of Ordinances (Online): ecode360.com/MI2395/home
Code Enforcement & Zoning Department: millersvilleborough.org/code-enforcement-zoning/
Borough Contact Information: millersvilleborough.org/contact-us/

Important Note: This guide is based on the Borough's Ordinance 2024-04 adopted June 25, 2024. Investors should verify current regulations with the Borough before proceeding, as ordinances may be amended. The special exception process requires public hearing approval, and compliance with all safety codes is mandatory before operation.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Millersville

Millersville is a small borough in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, home to roughly 8,000 residents. Set in the rolling farmland of south-central Pennsylvania, it has a quiet, college-town feel shaped largely by Millersville University, a public university that has anchored the community since the nineteenth century. The borough sits about eight miles south of the city of Lancaster and roughly seventy miles west of Philadelphia, placing it squarely in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country, the rural region famous for its Amish farms, covered bridges, and rolling agricultural landscapes. For visitors, Millersville functions as a peaceful, well-located base from which to explore both the cultural heritage of Lancaster County and the broader Susquehanna Valley.

Just a short drive north, the city of Lancaster offers one of the region's marquee draws, Lancaster Central Market, a historic public market operating in a nineteenth-century building in the downtown square. The market is often cited as the oldest continuously operating farmers' market in the United States and brings together Pennsylvania Dutch produce, baked goods, and prepared foods under a single iron-framed roof. From Millersville, the market is about ten minutes by car, and the surrounding downtown adds independent shops, galleries, and restaurants to the experience.

About fifteen to twenty minutes southeast of Millersville, the village of Strasburg is home to the Strasburg Rail Road, the country's oldest continuously operating railroad, and the adjacent Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, which houses one of the most extensive collections of historic locomotives and rolling stock in the country. Together, the railroad and museum make Strasburg a popular family destination, especially during fall foliage and holiday seasons when themed train rides draw visitors from across the mid-Atlantic.

Surrounding the borough in every direction, the working farms and back roads of Lancaster County form an attraction in their own right. Visitors come to take guided or self-driven tours of Amish communities, visit farm stands and roadside markets, and photograph the region's distinctive covered bridges and stone farmhouses. Nearby outlets, vineyards, and the Sight & Sound Theatres complex in Strasburg add to the mix of rural heritage and family-friendly entertainment within a short drive of Millersville.

Millersville's appeal as a short-term rental base comes from this balance. It offers a calm, residential setting within easy reach of Lancaster's cultural offerings, Strasburg's family attractions, and the broader Pennsylvania Dutch countryside, all while remaining a manageable drive from Philadelphia, Baltimore, and the rest of the mid-Atlantic. For travelers who want a quieter, more local alternative to staying in downtown Lancaster, the borough provides a comfortable and convenient home base.