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Hershey

Pennsylvania · United States
Pending
Last updated: 2026-07-29  ·  Last verified: 2026-07-29  ·  Region: US

At a Glance — Hershey Airbnb & STR Rules

RuleDetails
Regulatory StatusProposed / pending
Permit / License RequiredUnknown — no official Derry Township or Dauphin County government webpage specifically governing STR licensing was confirmed via authoritative .gov or
Tax RateMinimum 6% Pennsylvania Hotel Occupancy Tax (state). Additional Dauphin County hotel/lodging tax may apply; confirm rate with Dauphin County.
Night / Day CapUnknown.
Minimum StayUnknown.
Permit FeeUnknown — no official fee schedule found for Hershey/Derry Township STR permits as of July 2026.
PenaltiesUnknown — no official penalty schedule confirmed.
Primary Residence RequiredUnknown — no official Derry Township STR ordinance confirmed.
Occupancy LimitUnknown — general Pennsylvania building and health code occupancy standards apply in the absence of a local STR ordinance.
Browse all 8 STR regulations in Pennsylvania → Browse all 535 STR regulations in United States →

Hershey Airbnb & Vacation Rental Regulation Overview

Hershey Short-Term Rental Regulations Overview

Short-term rental regulations in Hershey, Pennsylvania are currently under development or pending approval as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Unknown — no official Derry Township or Dauphin County government webpage specifically governing STR licensing was confirmed via authoritative .gov or municipal code search as of July 2026.. The associated permit fees are Unknown — no official fee schedule found for Hershey/Derry Township STR permits as of July 2026..

Tax Requirements for Airbnb Hosts in Hershey

Short-term rental operators in Hershey should be aware of these tax obligations: Minimum 6% Pennsylvania Hotel Occupancy Tax (state). Additional Dauphin County hotel/lodging tax may apply; confirm rate with Dauphin County.. Yes (state-level) — Pennsylvania Hotel Occupancy Tax (6%) applies to all STR rentals under 30 days statewide. Dauphin County may impose an additional .

Hosting Rules and Restrictions in Hershey

Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Hershey include: Primary residence requirement: Unknown — no official Derry Township STR ordinance confirmed.. Rental day cap: Unknown.. Occupancy limit: Unknown — general Pennsylvania building and health code occupancy standards apply in the absence of a local STR ordinanc. Minimum stay: Unknown..

Zoning and Location Requirements in Hershey

Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Hershey: Unknown — Derry Township's zoning ordinance governs land use in Hershey. No official documentation of STR-specific zoning restrictions was confirmed from a .gov source. Certain neighborhoods and HOAs . Density rules: Unknown.. Insurance: Unknown — no official local ordinance confirmed mandating STR insurance in Hershey/Derry Township..

Penalties for Non-Compliance in Hershey

Hosts who fail to comply with Hershey's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Unknown — no official penalty schedule confirmed..

Platform Obligations in Hershey

Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Hershey: PA Department of Revenue guidance applies statewide: platforms that collect taxes on behalf of hosts relieve hosts of a separate PA Sales/Use/Hotel Occupancy Tax license requirement..

Full Regulatory Details

Regulatory Status
Pending
License / Registration
Unknown — no official Derry Township or Dauphin County government webpage specifically governing STR licensing was confirmed via authoritative .gov or municipal code search as of July 2026.
Tax Registration
Yes (state-level) — Pennsylvania Hotel Occupancy Tax (6%) applies to all STR rentals under 30 days statewide. Dauphin County may impose an additional local hotel/lodging tax. Confirm with Dauphin County and Derry Township.
Permit Fee
Unknown — no official fee schedule found for Hershey/Derry Township STR permits as of July 2026.
Primary Residence Rule
Unknown — no official Derry Township STR ordinance confirmed.
Night / Day Cap
Unknown.
Occupancy Limit
Unknown — general Pennsylvania building and health code occupancy standards apply in the absence of a local STR ordinance.
Tax Rate
Minimum 6% Pennsylvania Hotel Occupancy Tax (state). Additional Dauphin County hotel/lodging tax may apply; confirm rate with Dauphin County.
Zoning Restrictions
Unknown — Derry Township's zoning ordinance governs land use in Hershey. No official documentation of STR-specific zoning restrictions was confirmed from a .gov source. Certain neighborhoods and HOAs may restrict or prohibit STRs.
Minimum Stay
Unknown.
Density Rules
Unknown.
Insurance Required
Unknown — no official local ordinance confirmed mandating STR insurance in Hershey/Derry Township.
Platform Obligations
PA Department of Revenue guidance applies statewide: platforms that collect taxes on behalf of hosts relieve hosts of a separate PA Sales/Use/Hotel Occupancy Tax license requirement.
Compliance Notes
Hershey is an unincorporated community located within Derry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. No official Derry Township .gov STR ordinance page or municipal code section specifically governing short-term rentals was identified through government-source searches as of July 2026. Secondary sources note that Hershey does not maintain an explicit STR ban, but certain neighborhoods and HOAs may limit or prohibit STRs. Hosts should contact Derry Township directly at its official offices to confirm current zoning and any applicable STR permit requirements before operating.
Effective Date
Unknown.
Key Notes
Hershey's major tourist attractions (Hersheypark, Hershey's Chocolate World, Giant Center) generate high STR demand. Because Hershey is an unincorporated community, regulation falls under Derry Township, Dauphin County. Hosts should directly contact Derry Township Zoning/Planning and Dauphin County for authoritative guidance. Pennsylvania's March 2025 Joint State Government Commission Staff Study noted the fragmented nature of STR regulation statewide and recommended minimum Commonwealth guidelines; as of July 2026, no statewide STR licensing law has been enacted.
Penalties
Unknown — no official penalty schedule confirmed.
Additional Context
Pennsylvania has no unified statewide STR licensing statute as of July 2026. Derry Township would govern any local STR ordinance for Hershey. Contact: Derry Township Municipal Building, 600 Clearwater Road, Hershey, PA 17033. For state tax obligations, consult the PA Department of Revenue myPATH system.
Sources
Unknown — no official Derry Township or Dauphin County .gov STR ordinance page confirmed. PA state STR context: https://www.jsg.legis.state.pa.us/resources/documents/ftp/publications/2025-03-17%20Short-term%20Rental%20Web%203.17.25.pdf
PA Municipal League guidance: https://www.pml.org/2023/11/20/guidance-for-municipalities-considering-short-term-rental-ordinances/
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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Airbnb legal in Hershey?

Short-term rental regulations in Hershey are currently under development. Rules may change as legislation is finalized. Hershey is an unincorporated community located within Derry Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. No official Derry Township .gov STR ordinance page or municipal code section specifically governing

Do you need a permit for Airbnb in Hershey?

Yes. Hershey requires the following for short-term rental operation: Unknown — no official Derry Township or Dauphin County government webpage specifically governing STR licensing was confirmed via authoritative .gov or municipal code search as of July 2026..

What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Hershey?

Short-term rental hosts in Hershey are subject to the following tax obligations: Minimum 6% Pennsylvania Hotel Occupancy Tax (state). Additional Dauphin County hotel/lodging tax may apply; confirm rate with Dauphin County..

What are the penalties for illegal Airbnb hosting in Hershey?

Hosts who operate without proper permits in Hershey may face enforcement. Unknown — no official penalty schedule confirmed..

What are the key STR compliance requirements in Hershey?

Hershey's major tourist attractions (Hersheypark, Hershey's Chocolate World, Giant Center) generate high STR demand. Because Hershey is an unincorporated community, regulation falls under Derry Township, Dauphin County. Hosts should directly contact Derry Township Zoning/Planning and Dauphin County for authoritative guidance. Pennsylvania's March 2025 Joint State Government Commission Staff Study

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