Scranton, Pennsylvania Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Executive Summary

Yes, short-term rentals are allowed in Scranton, PA, but they must comply with the city's rental licensing requirements under the RENTAL Ordinance of 2022. All rental properties, including short-term rentals, must obtain a city-issued Rental License before operating. Scranton has implemented a comprehensive rental licensing program that includes mandatory health and safety inspections, specific fee structures based on property size, and ongoing compliance requirements.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Scranton?

Scranton hosts earn a median $22,413/year with $132 ADR and 60% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $30,247+ per year.

See the full Scranton market breakdown

Starting a Short-Term Rental Business in Scranton

Step 1: Understand Your Property Classification

Short-term rentals in Scranton fall under the city's general rental property regulations rather than having separate STR-specific rules. Your property will be treated as a rental property regardless of lease duration.

Step 2: Obtain Required Licensing

Apply for a Rental License before beginning operations
New rental units must be licensed within 30 days of tenancy
Existing properties must renew licenses annually
Application deadline: There appears to be conflicting information in city documents - some reference September 15th while others reference March 15th. Contact the city directly to confirm current requirements

Step 3: Complete Application Process

Online application available through the city's portal
Payment options: E-check (no fee) or credit/debit card (3% transaction fee)
Required information: Contact details for local representative for emergency situations

Step 4: Prepare for Inspection

Health and safety inspection required before license approval
Re-inspection cycle: Properties are inspected on a 3-year cycle
First re-inspection: Free of charge
Additional re-inspections: Subject to fees
Compliance required: Must pass inspection to maintain license

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

City-Level Requirements

Rental License

Mandatory for all rental properties regardless of lease duration
Fee structure:
- 1 to 3 units: $45 per unit
- 4 to 9 units: $150 flat fee
- 10 to 19 units: $250 flat fee
- 20 to 49 units: $350 flat fee
- 50+ units: $450 flat fee
Family-occupied exemptions: Immediate family-occupied units exempt from fees but still require licensing

Inspection Requirements

Health and Safety Inspection Report must be completed
Properties must meet city health and safety standards
Regular re-inspections required on 3-year cycle

Registration for Special Property Types

Foreclosed or vacant properties must be registered separately
Registration required for properties in:
- Mortgage default
- Lis pendens filed by lender
- Foreclosure actions
- Tax deed applications
- Tax assessor's lien sales
- Properties transferred via deed in lieu of foreclosure

State-Level Requirements

Hotel Occupancy Tax Registration

State hotel occupancy tax: 6% on all short-term rentals
Registration required with Pennsylvania Department of Revenue
Collection and remittance responsibility falls on property owner

Local Hotel Taxes

Lackawanna County hotel tax: 7% (additional to state tax)
Total hotel tax rate: 13% (6% state + 7% county)
Payment authority: Collected by county tax collection authorities

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City of Scranton Regulations

No specific STR ordinance: Short-term rentals are governed by general rental property regulations
License requirement: All rental properties must be licensed regardless of rental duration
Zoning compliance: Property must comply with applicable zoning restrictions
Inspection mandate: All rental properties subject to health and safety inspections
Emergency contact: Must provide contact information for local representative

Lackawanna County Regulations

Hotel tax collection: 7% county hotel tax in addition to state requirements
No specific STR ordinances: County regulations focus primarily on traditional lodging establishments

Pennsylvania State Regulations

Short-term rental definition: Properties offered for less than 30 days consideration
Hotel occupancy tax: 6% state tax applies to all short-term rentals
Booking agent obligations: Third-party platforms (Airbnb, VRBO) must collect and remit taxes
Municipal authority: Cities have broad authority to regulate STRs through zoning and licensing

Contact Information

City of Scranton - Rental Licensing

Primary Contact:

Name: Robin Selemba, Rental Regulation Manager
Phone: 570.348.4193 ext. 4555
Email: rselemba@scrantonpa.gov
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

City General Information:

Address: 340 N Washington Ave, Scranton, PA 18503
Phone: 570.348.4100
Website: scrantonpa.gov/rental/

Online Services:

Rental License Application: slate.tolemi.com/c/scranton-pa
Vacant/Foreclosed Property Registration: slate.tolemi.com/c/scranton-pa

Pennsylvania Department of Revenue

Hotel Occupancy Tax: Contact for state tax registration and remittance requirements
Website: www.pa.gov/agencies/revenue/

Lackawanna County

Hotel Tax Collection: Contact county tax authorities for local hotel tax requirements
Website: www.lackawannacounty.org/

Important Compliance Notes

Violations and Penalties

Unlicensed operation: Renting without a license is a violation of city law
Penalties: May include refusal to issue licenses, fines, and potential imprisonment
Inspection failures: Non-compliance can result in license suspension or revocation

Registration Requirements

Vacant properties: Must be registered even if not actively rented
Foreclosed properties: Special registration requirements apply
Ongoing obligations: Maintain current contact information and emergency contacts

Documentation

Keep records: Maintain documentation of all licenses, inspections, and compliance activities
Annual renewal: Budget for annual license renewal costs and inspection fees
Tax compliance: Ensure proper collection and remittance of hotel occupancy taxes

Sources

Disclaimer: This guide is based on information available as of the document dates. Regulations may change, and investors should verify current requirements with city and state authorities before proceeding with any short-term rental investment or operation.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Scranton

Scranton, Pennsylvania is a city of roughly 75,000 residents that serves as the county seat of Lackawanna County in the northeastern corner of the state. Once the heart of the anthracite coal industry and a key stop on the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad, the city has reinvented itself as a regional hub for healthcare, education, and tourism while retaining its blue-collar character and historic architecture. Scranton gained a new wave of pop-culture fame as the setting of the long-running sitcom "The Office," and it remains a popular pilgrimage destination for fans. It sits about 125 miles northwest of New York City, roughly a two-hour drive via Interstate 80, and serves as a convenient base for exploring the Pocono Mountains and the broader Endless Mountains region of Pennsylvania.

Steamtown National Historic Site sits on the southern edge of downtown Scranton and preserves the story of steam-era railroading in the northeastern United States. Operated by the National Park Service, the site features a working roundhouse, a sprawling collection of historic steam locomotives, and seasonal excursion trains that wind through the surrounding Lackawanna Valley. Visitors can step aboard restored engines and learn about the rail workers who shaped the region, making it a year-round draw for rail enthusiasts and families.

A short drive south of downtown brings visitors to the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour, where guests descend several hundred feet into a former anthracite mine on a guided rail car. The experience traces the generations of immigrant miners who worked the seams that once fueled the nation's industrial growth, and the above-ground complex in McDade Park adds walking trails and interpretive exhibits. Together with Steamtown, the tour rounds out a heritage-tourism loop that has become a centerpiece of the city's identity.

Just south of the city, straddling the Lackawanna-Luzerne county line, Montage Mountain offers a year-round resort experience. In winter the mountain hosts skiing, snowboarding, and snow tubing, while summer brings a waterpark, mountain biking, and a ropes course. Beyond Montage, the broader Pocono Mountains region stretches east and south, with state parks, lakes, and resort towns that draw weekenders from New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia throughout the year.

Downtown Scranton itself has been steadily revitalizing, with the restored Lackawanna Station — a grand Beaux-Arts former rail terminal — anchoring a growing district of restaurants, breweries, and small arts venues. Visitors can walk past the recognizable building exteriors that doubled as the Dunder Mifflin office on the show, and neighborhood parks such as Nay Aug Park offer waterfalls, a tree-top walk, and a swimming pool within the city limits.

Scranton makes a compelling base for short-term rentals because of its unusual mix of cultural cachet, outdoor access, and affordability. Travelers drawn by "The Office" tourism overlap with rail and coal heritage visitors, leaf-peepers heading to the Poconos, and families visiting Montage Mountain. With direct interstate connections to New York City and Philadelphia, the city offers big-city weekend appeal without big-city lodging prices, giving owners a broad and varied guest pool throughout the year.