Scranton, PA local landlord rules

0 of 13 topics checked What this means

State law also applies. See Pennsylvania landlord-tenant law and the Pennsylvania landlord FAQ. State rules: Security deposit limit · Deposit return deadline · Notice to enter · Late fees · Eviction notice (nonpayment) · Rent increase notice.

Last reviewed 2026-10-16

Quick facts

Topic	At a glance
Rental licensing / registration	Yes. A landlord must get a rental license for each rental unit for every calendar year it's occupied at any point, and may not allow occupancy without one. Rent can't be collected while the landlord is out of compliance, though once licensed they may recover the value of the occupancy (no late fees or penalties beyond the agreed rent). Renewals are due by March 15, and new tenancies must be licensed within 30 days of the tenancy starting (§ 373-6). License fees are $45 per unit for buildings of 1-3 units, and flat fees of $150 (4-9 units), $250 (10-19), $350 (20-49) and $450 (50+). There are separate inspection fees (§ 373-7).
Short-term rentals (Airbnb)	Owner-occupied only, with limits. The dwelling must be the owner's permanent address, and the owner must live there at least six months of the calendar year. Guest stays are limited to seven continuous days. If a guest is convicted of disturbing the peace on the premises, the owner can no longer use the dwelling as a short-term rental (§ 445-30).

Topic

At a glance

Rental licensing / registration

Yes. A landlord must get a rental license for each rental unit for every calendar year it's occupied at any point, and may not allow occupancy without one. Rent can't be collected while the landlord is out of compliance, though once licensed they may recover the value of the occupancy (no late fees or penalties beyond the agreed rent). Renewals are due by March 15, and new tenancies must be licensed within 30 days of the tenancy starting (§ 373-6). License fees are $45 per unit for buildings of 1-3 units, and flat fees of $150 (4-9 units), $250 (10-19), $350 (20-49) and $450 (50+). There are separate inspection fees (§ 373-7).

Short-term rentals (Airbnb)

Owner-occupied only, with limits. The dwelling must be the owner's permanent address, and the owner must live there at least six months of the calendar year. Guest stays are limited to seven continuous days. If a guest is convicted of disturbing the peace on the premises, the owner can no longer use the dwelling as a short-term rental (§ 445-30).

Details & sources

Rental licensing / registration

Verified Source: Scranton Code ch. 373, § 373-6, § 373-7 (Browser transcription) · last checked 2026-10-16

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Short-term rentals (Airbnb)

Verified Source: Scranton Zoning Code § 445-30 (Browser transcription) · last checked 2026-10-16

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Research coverage

0 of 13 topics checked at the local level (state law is covered on the state page). A topic counts as checked only when every subtopic in it is checked or no additional requirement was found after a recorded full read. How coverage works.

Topic	Status	Subtopics done
Deposits	Not researched	0 of 2
Deposit return deadlines	Not researched	None tracked at this level
Rent increases and rent control	Not researched	0 of 1
Late fees	Not researched	None tracked at this level
Landlord entry	Not researched	None tracked at this level
Repairs and habitability	Not researched	0 of 1
Screening and application fees	Not researched	None tracked at this level
Fair housing and assistance animals	Not researched	0 of 1
Disclosures	Not researched	0 of 2
Renewal and termination	Not researched	None tracked at this level
Eviction	Not researched	0 of 3
Registration and licensing	Partially researched	1 of 3
Short-term rentals	Partially researched	1 of 2

Also applies statewide

Pennsylvania rules that also apply in Scranton:

Security deposit limit: Up to 2 months' rent in the first lease year. From the second year on, and on renewal, no more than 1 month's rent. Verified Source: 68 P.S. § 250.511a (Landlord and Tenant Act § 511.1) · last checked 2026-10-23 · Full Pennsylvania security deposit limit page
Deposit return deadline: Written list of damages plus the remaining deposit (with any unpaid interest) within 30 days after the lease ends or the tenant surrenders the premises. Missing the list forfeits the right to withhold. Verified Source: 68 P.S. § 250.512 (Landlord and Tenant Act § 512) · last checked 2026-10-23 · Full Pennsylvania deposit return deadline page
Notice to enter: There is no Pennsylvania statute setting a notice period before landlord entry in the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 (68 P.S. 250.101 et seq.). Reviewed by full-text search. AG guidance (labelled, not law): the Attorney General's guide says tenants must give reasonable access for maintenance, repairs and showings and states no fixed notice period. Verified Source: the Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 (68 P.S. 250.101 et seq.) · last checked 2026-10-23 · Full Pennsylvania notice to enter page
Late fees: There is no Pennsylvania statute capping residential late fees. The Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951 (68 P.S. 250.101 et seq.) was reviewed by full-text search and sets no late fee limit. Guidance (PA Attorney General consumer guide, not law): late fees should not be excessive, should reasonably relate to the landlord's costs, and should be disclosed in the lease. Verified Source: 68 P.S. 250.101 et seq. · last checked 2026-10-23 · Full Pennsylvania late fees page

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