Short-Term Rentals and B&Bs
Zoning Permit
The first step in creating a STR or B&B is to obtain a zoning permit. Before any property owner starts a new business activity or occupies a building in Myerstown, they must have a certificate of zoning compliance (zoning permit) from the Borough’s Zoning Officer stating that the proposed use of the building or land conforms to the Borough's Zoning Ordinance. Zoning Permit Applications can be obtained at the link below or at the Borough Office at 101 South Railroad Street. All applications must be fully completed and submitted to the Borough Office.
Zoning Permit Application
Building Permit and Certificate of Occupancy
After applying for a zoning permit, the Zoning Officer will instruct the applicant of any and all requirements as it relates to building codes. Before any property owner undergoes renovations to create a STR or B&B, a building permit must be obtained. Building Code Permit Applications can be obtained at the Borough Offices or at the link below. All applications must be fully completed and submitted to the Borough Office.
Building Code Permit Application
Progress inspections may be required during the construction process, and a final inspection will take place to ensure the structure is in compliance with the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code and the requirements of the building permit. Once all inspections have been completed and approved, a Certificate of Occupancy will be issued to the property owner which allows for the STR or B&B use to commence. A property cannot begin use as a STR or B&B without a C/O.
Definition of "Short-Term Rental" and "Bed and Breakfast Inn"
The Borough's Zoning Ordinance defines STR and B&B as follows:
Short-Term Rental: Any dwelling unit within a residential or mixed-use structure which is rented or leased for overnight lodging to transient guests for a period of not less than one (1) day nor more than thirty (30) consecutive calendar days. Short-term rentals shall include vacation homes but shall not include bed and breakfast inns, boarding or rooming houses, or hotels/motels as defined in the Borough's Zoning Ordinance.
Bed and Breakfast Inn: A dwelling and/or its accessory structure which includes the rental of overnight sleeping accommodations and bathroom access for temporary overnight guests, and that meets the maximum number of overnight guests specified in the conditions listed below for this use, and which does not provide any cooking facilities for actual use by guests, and which only provides meals to overnight guests, employees and residents of the dwelling. Overnight stays shall be restricted to transient visitors to the area, employees and their family.
What is the difference between a STR and a B&B?
Simply put, a Bed and Breakfast Inn is operated and/or managed by permanent residents of the lot, while a Short-Term Rental does not have permanent residents on the property.
Where are STRs and B&Bs permitted in the Borough?
The location of STRs and B&Bs in the Borough is regulated by the Borough's Zoning Ordinance, which defines the zoning districts in which these uses are permitted. Below is a link to the Borough's Official Zoning Map:
Myerstown Borough Zoning Map (pdf)
Below is a list of the zoning districts that permit STRs and B&Bs:
Short-Term Rentals ARE PERMITTED in the following Zoning Districts:
- General Business District
- Town Center District
- Traditional Mixed Neighborhood District
- Light Industrial District
- General Industrial District
- Conservation District
- Low Density Residential District
- Old Town Residential District
- Community Facility District
- General Business District
- Town Center District
- Traditional Mixed Neighborhood District
- Old Town Residential District
- Community Facility District
- General Industrial District
- Conservation District
- Low Density Residential District
- Light Industrial District
The following conditions are required of all STRs and B&Bs before the Zoning Officer can issue a certificate of zoning compliance (zoning permit).
Mandatory Conditions for all Short-Term Rentals
- Property owner must provide Certificate of Insurance evidencing a minimum of $500,000 commercial liability insurance coverage for the use.
- Property owner must provide evidence of a valid Lebanon County hotel excise tax certificate and PA Sales, Use, and Hotel Occupancy Tax license.
- The use requires the specific designation of a person in charge, either the property owner or another person who must reside or have an office within fifteen (15) miles of the short-term rental property and acts as the legal agent for the owner.
- The use shall comply with all applicable Borough Ordinances and regulations, including any and all building code requirements for a commercial building.
- Inspection and approval by Building Code Official is required before Certificate of Occupancy will be issued.
- The use must apply to the entire property with the number of units that exist at the time of approval. The property cannot be divided into multiple units that are separately listed for rental after approval.
- A short-term rental unit may not be located in a structure that contains one or more other dwelling units used for non-transient living quarters.
- Overnight occupancy is limited to no more than 2 persons per bedroom (e.g., 6 persons for a 3-bedroom residential structure). Exceptions may be approved by Borough Council in Council’s sole discretion.
- The maximum number of day guests at any one time shall not exceed ten (10) persons.
- No additional bedrooms may be added or created within the dwelling unit after the approval of the use. Existing non-bedroom spaces may not be converted into additional bedrooms. The number of bedrooms shall be limited to that which existed in the residential dwelling unit at the time of approval.
- The property must have a minimum of 1 off-street parking space per bedroom, and guests may not park more cars on site than the number of off-street parking spaces available. Off-street parking must comply with all applicable regulations set forth in Part 11 of the Zoning Ordinance, related to off-street parking and loading.
- The use must comply with all terms and conditions of any other short-term rental ordinance provisions and/or licensing program established by Myerstown Borough.
- Within a Residential District, a maximum of 5 rental units shall be provided and no more than 3 adults may occupy one rental unit. No maximums shall apply within other permitted districts.
- One off-street parking space shall be provided for each rental unit. The off-street parking spaces for the Bed and Breakfast Inn shall be located either to the rear of the principal building or screened from the street and abutting dwellings by landscaping.
- There shall not be any signs, show windows or any type of display or advertising visible from outside the premises, except for a single sign with a maximum sign area of 6 square feet on each of 2 sides and with a maximum height of 8 feet. Such sign shall only be illuminated externally and shall use incandescent light or light of similar effect.
- The use shall have a residential or historical appearance.
- The use shall be operated and/or managed by permanent residents of the lot.
- There shall not be separate cooking facilities in any guest room. Food shall only be served to guests who are staying overnight, unless a restaurant is also permitted.
- No guest shall reside in the Bed and Breakfast Inn for more than 30 total days in any 90 day period.
Please contact the Borough Office at 717-866-5038 or info@myerstownpa.org or visit the Borough Office at the Myerstown Community Center at 101 South Railroad St.