Short-Term Rental Investor’s Guide to Palmyra Township, Wayne County, Pennsylvania (2023 STR Ordinance)

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Palmyra Township?

Yes—short-term rentals (STRs) are explicitly permitted in Palmyra Township, Wayne County, Pennsylvania, but only when operated in full compliance with the Township’s Short-Term Rental Ordinance (Ordinance No. ____-2023, adopted November 21, 2023). STRs are defined as any dwelling unit within a residential structure rented for overnight lodging for a period of not less than one (1) day and not more than twenty-nine (29) consecutive days. The owner is responsible for all compliance. Violations are declared a public nuisance and can result in fines, permit revocation, and injunctive relief.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Palmyra Township

• Determine property eligibility: Single-family, two-family, or multi-family dwellings are eligible, provided the unit meets all zoning and building standards for human habitation (see Definitions).
• Confirm sewage capacity: Ensure the unit is served either by public sewage or an on-site septic system with documented bedroom approvals or historical usage (see occupancy rules below).
• Secure required licenses and insurance:
  • Wayne County Hotel Room Excise Tax Certificate
  • Pennsylvania Sales Tax License
  • General liability insurance of at least $500,000 for the full permit term
• Designate a local contact person: The local contact must be available 24/7 to respond to complaints and enforcement within one (1) hour.
• Submit a complete STR permit application (annual renewal required).
• Pass required inspections (if triggered) and comply with all operational standards.
• Post required notices and rules in the rental unit; ensure all marketing and advertising accurately reflect permitted occupancy and features.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Before advertising or renting, assemble and submit the following to the Township (exact submission details are not provided in the ordinance; contact the enforcement officer identified below):

• Completed STR permit application with:
  1. Owner’s name, address, phone, and email (provide a 24-hour number if no managing agency or local contact).
  2. Name, address, and 24-hour phone of the owner’s managing agency/agent/local contact.
  3. Photograph of the unit taken toward the primary entrance from the public street.
  4. Proof of ownership (deed, tax bill, or title insurance policy).
  5. Number of bedrooms (minimum 80 square feet each) and the maximum number of overnight occupants.
  6. If the building is multi-family: number of dwelling units and how many are being used as STRs.
  7. Number of on-site parking spaces and maximum vehicles allowed for overnight occupants.
  8. Location, approximate age, and capacity of the sewage disposal system (public or septic).
  9. Acknowledgments that the owner/agent/local contact have read all regulations and will post/ maintain the 911 Emergency Number within the unit.
  10. Copy of current Wayne County Hotel Room Excise Tax Certificate.
  11. Copy of current Pennsylvania Sales Tax License.
  12. Proof of general liability insurance (≥ $500,000) for the full license term.

Permits:

• STR Permit (required before renting for fewer than 29 consecutive days).
• Separate permit for each STR unit; for multi-family buildings, a separate permit per unit being used as an STR.
• Annual renewal; separate fees apply (set by Township Resolution; see “Fees” below).
• Permit is non-transferable and personal to the owner; new owners must apply anew.
• Swimming pool permit and final inspection (if pool exists or is constructed) are required before/continuation of STR operations.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals in Palmyra Township

Definition and Scope:

• STR: renting a dwelling unit for 1–29 days.
• Applies to single-family, two-family, and multi-family dwellings.
• Recreational vehicles may be used at a registered STR unit only if self-contained (proper sewage disposal/pumping) and the unit is on a property with an existing dwelling. RV cannot be a stand-alone STR on unimproved land.

Owner and Local Contact Requirements:

• Owner bears responsibility for compliance; agent or local contact failures are attributed to the owner.
• Designate a local contact who can respond in person within one (1) hour to notices of violations or disturbances. If the local contact is not the owner, they must promptly notify the owner.

Occupancy Limits and Bedrooms:

• Bedrooms must be at least 80 square feet and have two means of egress (one may be a code-compliant window).
• The unit must have at least one habitable room of at least 120 square feet (other than a bathroom). If no partitioned rooms other than a bathroom, the unit is deemed one bedroom.
• Occupancy must be explicitly limited in rental agreements to the permitted number.
• Public sewage served units: maximum occupancy is two (2) persons per bedroom plus three (3), up to fifteen (15) persons total.
• On-site septic served units: maximum occupancy depends on approved bedrooms per the sewage permit or historic bedroom count if no permit exists, using the same per-bedroom formula (2 + 3, max 15). If no permit or records, bedrooms limited to three (3) unless a dye test confirms system capacity (Township Sewage Enforcement Officer may require).
• A child age two (2) and under is not counted in the occupancy calculation.

Parking:

• Provide sufficient off-street parking for overnight occupants and day guests so that vehicles are not parked on public highways or development roadways (hindering traffic and emergency access).

Safety and Building Standards:

• Required devices and features:
  • Smoke detectors in each bedroom, outside bedrooms in common hallways, and on each floor.
  • GFCI outlets within six (6) feet of water sources.
  • Aluminum or metal dryer exhaust.
  • Carbon monoxide detector.
  • Fire extinguisher in the kitchen and on each floor.
  • Indoor and outdoor stairs in good condition with railings.
  • If pool, hot tub, or spa: barrier requirements per Appendix G of the 2009 International Residential Code.
• Permit and conditions must be posted conspicuously in the STR.

Swimming Pools:

• Any residential STR with a swimming pool (above-ground or in-ground) must obtain a Township Uniform Construction Code permit and satisfy all fencing requirements prior to issuance of the STR permit. Construction after issuance temporarily suspends the STR permit until final inspection confirms compliance.

Sewage Systems:

• For septic systems, you may not increase the number of existing bedrooms without proper Township and Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection permits.
• A malfunction requiring repairs must be corrected and verified by the Township Sewage Enforcement Officer before rental resumes.

Marketing and Guest Behavior:

• Advertising that exceeds permitted occupancy or promotes prohibited activity is a violation. Provide the enforcement officer with copies of all advertisements upon request.
• Owners must use best efforts to prevent disorderly conduct by relaying complaints through the local contact.

Inspections and Access:

• By applying for a permit, owners grant permission for all inspections authorized by the ordinance.
• Interfering with inspections is unlawful.

Penalties and Enforcement:

• First violation: written warning.
• Subsequent violations: upon Magisterial District Judge judgment, fines up to $1,000 per day of violation, plus costs (including attorney fees, constable fees, staff time).
• License revocation:
  • Two (2) convictions under the ordinance lead to one-year revocation; third conviction leads to permanent revocation.
  • Violations of the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act may result in immediate revocation until corrected.
• Injunctive relief available.
• Reinstatement may be considered by the Board of Supervisors if ownership changes and violations are corrected.

Appeals:

• Denials or revocations can be appealed to the Board of Supervisors within thirty (30) days.
• Appeal process follows Pennsylvania’s Local Agency Law, including written notice, hearing within 60 days, and written decisions within 45 days.

Fees (subject to change by Resolution):

• Application fee (initial): set by Township Resolution.
• Inspection fee: set by Resolution; may be charged if application details conflict with Township or county records.
• Annual renewal fee: set by Resolution. If not paid by February 15, double the normal fee; if not paid by May 1, permit becomes null and void and a new application (not renewal) is required.

County and State-Level Context

• County taxes: A current Wayne County Hotel Room Excise Tax Certificate is required.
• State taxes: A current Pennsylvania Sales Tax License is required.
• Sewage enforcement: On-site septic systems are subject to Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection regulations; the Township Sewage Enforcement Officer verifies function and capacity.

Contact Information

For permits, inspections, renewals, and compliance questions:

• Palmyra Township, Wayne County, Pennsylvania
• Physical address and mailing address: P.O. Box 39, 1300 PA-371, Palmyra, PA 18431
• Phone: 570-828-2334 (Township)
• Email: Not specified in the provided ordinance
• Website: www.palmyrawayne.org/
• Ordinance reference: Palmyra Township Short-Term Rental Ordinance (Ord. No. ____-2023; adopted November 21, 2023)

Source Links

• Palmyra Township STR Ordinance (Nov 21, 2023): www.palmyrawayne.org/palwayne/STR%20Ordinance-11-21-23.pdf
• Palmyra Pike Short-Term Rental Ordinance (2018; status unclear; format issues observed): palmyrapike.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Palmyra_Pike_Short_Term_Rental_131_2018.pdf

Notes and Practical Tips for Investors

• Permitting is annual and non-transferable; plan renewals early to avoid double fees or lapses.
• Bedrooms and occupancy are strictly tied to sewage capacity (public vs. septic). If you rely on historical bedroom count or lack a sewage permit, you may be capped at three bedrooms unless verified otherwise.
• For multi-unit buildings, budget for separate permits per unit and plan staffing for the local contact requirement.
• Post and maintain all required notices and safety devices; this is both a compliance and guest-safety imperative.
• If you plan to build or operate a pool, obtain permits early; STR operations can be suspended pending pool compliance.