Lancaster, Pennsylvania Short-Term Rental Market
Lancaster limits STRs to commercial zones, with $210 ADR, 59.2% occupancy and $3,491 monthly revenue in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Lancaster, Pennsylvania is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Lancaster market area is 59%. average monthly revenue in the Lancaster market area is $3,491. average daily rate in the Lancaster market area is $210. the top operator in the Lancaster market area is Evolve with 41 listings. market score is 88/100 (grade A).
Market data reflects the wider Lancaster market, which covers 5 areas. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Lancaster.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
This profile covers the Lancaster County STR market. Performance figures below describe that regional market for September 2026, the latest data month, rather than the city alone. In September 2026 the average daily rate across all listings was $210, occupancy was 59.2%, and average monthly revenue per listing was $3,491. Year over year, occupancy is up 7.7%, ADR is up 6.0%, and revenue is up 12.5%, so growth is coming from both rate and demand.
Demand rests on tourism. Lancaster County drew roughly 10.2 million visitors in 2024 who spent about $2.7 billion directly, with visitors up 2.7% and direct spending up 4.2% from 2023. Draws include Lancaster Central Market, Sight & Sound Theatres, Amish Country heritage sites and the Strasburg Rail Road. Lancaster city has a population of 58,400 and serves as the walkable hub for dining, arts and the historic market.
Rates have climbed steadily. The annual average ADR rose from $125 in 2017 to $196 in 2025, and 2026 year to date sits at $205. Occupancy peaked at 65.0% in 2021, eased to 55.2% in 2025, and is 55.7% through nine months of 2026. Average monthly revenue was $3,110 in 2025 and is $3,275 for 2026 so far.
Property type changes the picture. In September 2026 houses averaged $4,041 per month, entire places $3,766, and apartments $2,477.
Regulation matters more here than in many markets, because zoning confines most legal STRs to commercial and mixed-use districts. Bedroom, channel and listing-type counts, and top operator names, are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Lancaster, so this profile omits them.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 39% |
| Feb | 46% |
| Mar | 49% |
| Apr | 56% |
| May | 58% |
| Jun | 65% |
| Jul | 68% |
| Aug | 68% |
| Sep | 57% |
| Oct | 60% |
| Nov | 52% |
| Dec | 51% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Lancaster are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Lancaster market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Lancaster market as a whole, which includes Lancaster, so these counts are not Lancaster-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evolve | 41 | 2,455 | ★ 4.78 |
| 2 | Stay Lancaster | 36 | 5,810 | ★ 4.95 |
| 3 | Unique Stays | 34 | 224 | ★ 4.53 |
| 4 | Amish Farm Stay | 30 | 4,839 | ★ 4.92 |
| 5 | Awakened Properties | 18 | 3,291 | ★ 4.82 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Lancaster?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Lancaster are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 56.3% |
| vrbo | 5% |
| both | 38.8% |
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for Lancaster — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Lancaster city allows short-term rentals but limits where they can operate. A non-owner-occupied STR is permitted by right only in the RO, MU, CB1, CB, C1 and C2 zones, which are largely commercial and mixed-use. STRs are not permitted in most residential districts. In May 2023 City Council amended the zoning code to allow more STRs in commercially zoned districts, such as units above businesses, while keeping the ban on spread into residential neighborhoods.
Operators need a Certificate of Zoning Compliance and must register the unit with the city as a Transient Dwelling under a City Residential Rental License. That requires passing a City Housing Inspector inspection and naming a designated property manager. The license costs about $50 and renews annually. The maximum stay per guest party is 30 consecutive days.
Owner-occupied Homestays are a more flexible option. Owners may rent up to 2 bedrooms while living on site, and Homestays are allowed more broadly, including residential zones R3 and R4. Parking is required at 1 space per dwelling, plus 1 extra per bedroom for units with 4 or more bedrooms.
Taxes stack up. Operators must register with Lancaster County and remit a 5% county occupancy tax (3.9% hotel room rental tax plus a 1.1% excise tax), on top of Pennsylvania’s 6% state hotel occupancy tax, roughly 11% combined. The profile lists no annual night cap, and neither owner occupancy nor primary residence is required for the commercial-zone route.
Enforcement is rated moderate. It is administrative rather than aggressive, but non-compliance can bring fines, court proceedings and even unit condemnation. Confirm zoning with the city before buying.
Market Comparison
The Lancaster County STR market shows a mixed profile across rate tiers. September 2026 occupancy was 59.2% and the all-listings ADR was $210, while entire-home ADR of $222 and professionally managed ADR of $234 sit higher, and luxury listings at $350 are well above.
The profile favors demand over rate. High occupancy with a lower blended ADR suggests a market where private rooms and smaller units pull the average down, while whole-home stays price higher. Monthly revenue of $3,491 per listing reflects that balance.
Growth also stands out. Occupancy is up 7.7%, ADR is up 6.0%, and revenue is up 12.5% year over year. Annual average occupancy has slipped from 65.0% in 2021 to 55.7% in 2026 year to date, so the market is no longer in its pandemic peak, but rates have kept rising from $154 in 2021 to $205.
The main difference from other markets is regulation. Zoning restricts legal supply outside commercial and mixed-use districts, which limits how quickly new competition can enter. Top operator names are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Lancaster, so this profile omits them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Are short-term rentals legal in Lancaster, PA?
How much does an Airbnb earn in the Lancaster area?
What permits and taxes apply to a Lancaster STR?
What is the best time of year for STR demand in Lancaster?
How far ahead do guests book and how long do they stay?
Is Lancaster STR performance growing?
What does it cost to buy a home in Lancaster?
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