Upper Darby, Pennsylvania Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: STR Allowance in Upper Darby, PA

Short-term rentals are permitted in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, though they are subject to the township's rental property licensing requirements and state-level regulations. While Upper Darby does not have specific short-term rental ordinances separate from traditional long-term rentals, investors must comply with the township's existing rental property framework and Pennsylvania's statewide short-term rental laws.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Upper Darby?

Upper Darby hosts earn a median $22,266/year with $126 ADR and 57% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $29,279+ per year.

See the full Upper Darby market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Upper Darby

Step 1: Property Assessment and Zoning Compliance

Verify zoning classification using the township's zoning map
Ensure your property complies with residential use restrictions
Check Homeowners Association (HOA) bylaws if applicable

Step 2: Obtain Required Licenses

Rental Property License: Required for any dwelling occupied by someone other than the owner for one (1) month or more in any year
Business Privilege License: Required through eCollect platform
Annual license renewal mandatory

Step 3: Pass Required Inspections

Schedule rental property inspection within 30 days of application submission
Ensure property meets all safety and code requirements (detailed checklist provided below)

Step 4: Tax Registration and Compliance

Register with Pennsylvania Department of Revenue for tax obligations
Obtain hotel license if renting property for more than 15 days per year (state requirement)

Step 5: Insurance and Business Setup

Obtain appropriate insurance coverage for short-term rental operations
Consider professional management services if desired

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Municipal Requirements

Rental Property License

Primary Requirements:

Completed [Rental License Application](https://www.upperdarby.org/media/Departments/License and Inspections/LI/Permit Applications/Rental License Application.pdf)
Non-refundable application fee
Annual renewal required

Business Privilege License

Obtained through eCollect platform
Additional licensing requirement for rental operations

Safety and Code Compliance Inspection Checklist

Exterior Requirements:

Address numbers at front and rear (4" high, ½" brush stroke minimum)
Electric service cable must not be frayed, cracked, or broken
Sidewalks, steps, and walkways must be free of broken concrete or tripping hazards
No peeling or flaking paint on woodwork (exterior and interior)
No trash or debris on exterior
Grass, weeds, shrubs, and trees must be maintained
Tenants must have two trash cans with lids

Interior Safety Requirements:

GFI receptacles required in bathrooms
Kitchen countertop receptacles must be GFI protected
Check for water damage from roof or pipe leaks
Fix leaking sink traps (kitchen, bathroom, laundry tub)
Windows and skylights must be operable with screens
Smoke detectors: one in each bedroom and on each level of home
Carbon monoxide detectors: one in basement and one on second floor, outside bedroom doors
Hot water heater and furnace must have drip pipes or relief valves piped to within 6" of floor
Dryer must be properly vented
Bathrooms need exhaust fan if no window or skylight available
Railings required on stairwells
Interior locks must be knob type (not keyed) for exterior egress
Junction boxes, switches, and receptacles require cover plates
Sump pump must discharge to exterior

State-Level Requirements

Hotel License

Required if property is rented out for more than 15 days in a calendar year
Obtained through Pennsylvania Department of Revenue

Tax Obligations

6% state sales tax on all rentals
Local hotel tax (varies by county/municipality)
Must collect and remit taxes to appropriate authorities

Specific Regulations by Jurisdiction

Upper Darby Township (Municipal Level)

Noise Regulations

Noise violations enforced before 6 AM and after 10 PM
Reference ordinance available at: Noise Ordinance Details

Trash Collection Requirements

Trash must be placed out for collection 8 hours prior to pickup
Required to use trash cans with lids at designated trash lines
Full ordinance details at: Trash Collection Ordinance

Property Maintenance

High grass and weeds become a violation when exceeding 10 inches in height
Homeowner responsible for pruning and upkeep of trees between curb and sidewalk

Delaware County (County Level)

County-specific tax obligations may apply
Various county services and permits may be relevant depending on property location

Pennsylvania State (State Level)

Tax Framework

6% state sales tax on short-term rentals
Hotel occupancy tax obligations
Requirement for hotel license if renting >15 days annually

Building Codes

Township enforces Pennsylvania state-mandated Uniform Construction Code (UCC)
Current code: 2015 ICC family of codes with amendments
State guidelines available at: PA UCC Information

Contact Information for Local Authority

Upper Darby Township - Licenses & Inspections Department

Primary Contact Information:

Address: 100 Garrett Road, Room 109, Upper Darby, PA 19082
Phone: (610) 734-7613
Fax: (610) 734-7638
Email: li@upperdarby.org
One Center Request Line: (610) 734-7625
One Center Email: one@upperdarby.org

Rental Property Licensing:

Dedicated Rental License Phone: (610) 734-7640
Rental License Email: LI@upperdarby.org

Office Hours:

Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Appointments strongly encouraged

Emergency Contact:

For emergencies, dial 911

Key Resources and Departments

Licenses & Inspections: Handles rental property licenses and inspections
Code Enforcement: Handles zoning and property code violations
Business Licensing: Manages business privilege licenses through eCollect platform

Source Links

Primary Municipal Sources:

Rental Property License Information
Licenses & Inspections Department
Licenses & Inspections FAQs
[Rental License Application Form](https://www.upperdarby.org/media/Departments/License and Inspections/LI/Permit Applications/Rental License Application.pdf)
[Rental Inspection Checklist](https://www.upperdarby.org/media/Departments/License and Inspections/LI/Rentals/Rental Inspection Checklist.pdf)

State Resources:

Business Licensing:

eCollect Business Privilege License Portal

Ordinances and Codes:

Important Note: This guide reflects information available as of the content provided. Regulations and requirements may change, and investors should verify current requirements with the township directly before proceeding with any short-term rental investment or operation.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Upper Darby

Upper Darby is a township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, situated just west of the city of Philadelphia. With a population of approximately 85,000 residents, it ranks among the most populous municipalities in the state and carries a dense, working-class, multicultural character shaped by generations of immigration. The township is best known as a transit gateway into Center City Philadelphia via SEPTA and as the longtime home of the historic Tower Theater. It lies only about five miles west of downtown Philadelphia, making it one of the closest large communities outside the city proper and an affordable, well-connected base for exploring the region.

The Tower Theater anchors the 69th Street commercial district, a 1920s movie palace reborn as one of the Philadelphia area's most respected live-music venues. It regularly hosts nationally touring acts and benefits from its position directly next to the 69th Street Transportation Center, a major hub for the Market-Frankford Line and dozens of bus routes. Visitors staying in Upper Darby can walk to a show and be in Center City within fifteen minutes by train, blending a neighborhood feel with easy access to the city's nightlife and dining.

Philadelphia's marquee attractions are within easy reach for guests based in Upper Darby. The Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Philadelphia Zoo, and the historic landmarks of Independence National Historical Park are all accessible via a short ride on the El or a fifteen- to twenty-minute drive east. The South Philadelphia sports complex — home to Citizens Bank Park, Lincoln Financial Field, and the Wells Fargo Center — is also close at hand, making the township a practical home base for catching a Phillies, Eagles, 76ers, or Flyers game without paying downtown lodging rates.

For day trips beyond the city, Valley Forge National Historical Park lies about twenty miles to the northwest, where visitors can walk trails through the Continental Army's 1777–78 winter encampment and tour Washington's headquarters. Further afield, the celebrated Longwood Gardens is roughly an hour's drive southwest in Chester County, offering more than a thousand acres of formal gardens, fountains, and conservatory displays that draw visitors year-round.

Upper Darby combines affordable housing stock, walkable commercial corridors, and reliable transit connections with immediate proximity to one of the country's most historically rich cities. Travelers can settle into a quieter, residential-feeling community while remaining minutes from world-class museums, sports venues, and Revolutionary-era sites, with scenic day-trip destinations in the Brandywine Valley and at Valley Forge within easy reach. That balance of value, accessibility, and surrounding attractions gives the township a steady, broad appeal as a short-term-rental destination in the greater Philadelphia market.