Visitor Accommodation Discussion Guidelines
Are you considering starting a
Short-Term Rental Use such as an AirBnB for your property? Unless you live on the property, you will likely need to obtain a variance from the Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment. They require that you meet with the community first to obtain input. These meetings are conducted by the Chestnut Hill Community Association in its capactiy as an RCO (Registered Community Organization) with the invited participation of the other community RCOs.
The CHCA has created Discussion Guidelines, which contain potential concerns about such a use. We encourage you to review these guidelines so you are prepared to respond to questions and concerns that may arise at a community meeting.
Visitor Accommodation Discussion GuidelinesBackground information on Visitor Accommodations:Within Chestnut Hill, the Philadelphia Zoning Code requires a variance for
Short-Term Rental uses (defined as renting a unit for fewer than 30 consecutive days) in properties that do not have a primary resident.* Such a use is classified as
Visitor Accommodation per the
City’s Zoning Code – §14-601(7)(n). This regulation applies to all properties that fall within the following zoning districts: RSD/RSA/RM, CMX-1, CMX-2, or CMX-2.5. These zoning districts encompass all of Chestnut Hill except for the Druim Moir area (zoned RMX-1), and Chestnut Hill College (zoned SP-INS). The prohibition of the Visitor Accommodation use in in the RSD/RSA/RM zoning districts has existed since 2013. The prohibition in the CMX 1, 2, 2.5 zoning districts came more recently. The City also has licensing requirements for all Short-Term Rentals and the online platforms (Airbnb, VRBO, Expedia, etc) that are often used to promote and process such rental transactions.
*
The accommodation of visitors for fewer than 30 consecutive days, conducted by the primary resident of the dwelling unit, the main use of which is for household living, is known as known as Limited Lodging, and is not affected by these guidelines because such a use does not require a variance. This use does, however, require a Limited Lodging Operator License from the City. Primary residents can be a natural person (a human being, not a corporation) who is the property owner or a natural person who lives in the dwelling unit as the renter's primary domicile for more than half of the year and who is authorized in writing by the owner to provide limited lodging. (See section 14-604-13, Philadelphia Zoning Code)
