🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Patton Township, PA
One-Night Stay? One Big Rule Change: Patton Township's New STR Law Targets Housing and Safety
A Deep Dive into Your Area’s STR Updates — Helping You Navigate the Ever-Changing Rental Landscape.
One-Night Stay? One Big Rule Change: Patton Township's New STR Law Targets Housing and Safety
Short-term rental owners in Patton Township, Centre County, just got a new set of rules—and this time, the township means business.
In a move to tighten oversight of Airbnbs and similar short-term rental (STR) properties, the Patton Township Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance that reshapes how STRs can legally operate within the community. Effective this Sunday, anyone renting out a property—even just for a football weekend—will now be required to obtain a permit through the Centre Region Code Office.
“We dropped [the rental threshold] down to one day,” said Township Manager Amy Farkas. “Meaning anyone that’s operating a short-term rental, if you’re doing it for football weekends or whatever, you need a permit.”
Rental Housing Forms and Applications
This change replaces the old requirement, which only applied to rentals exceeding seven consecutive days. Now, even one-night listings must register.
But permits are just the start.
Farkas also introduced a new “point system” that will track ordinance violations like failure to remove snow, mow lawns, or address property maintenance issues. Repeat offenders who rack up enough points could lose their rental privileges for up to a year.
What’s driving these changes? Two key concerns: community safety and a tight housing market.
“Residents are renting out properties that aren't necessarily inspected for safety,” Farkas noted. The new permitting process will now include property safety inspections ensuring basic standards are met before guests move in.
On the housing front, the township believes STRs are directly impacting affordability and availability for locals.
“We really do think this is taking away the inventory,” said Farkas, who added that some would-be homebuyers are being outbid by investors looking to run STRs instead of settling into the neighborhood.
Patton Township isn’t alone in making changes. Neighboring State College expanded its permit requirements in late 2023, and now only Harris Township in the Centre Region remains without STR regulations—though officials there say an ordinance is in the works.
STRisker Updates Tracker
How do you keep up with the regulatory rollercoaster in your market? STRisker's Updates Tracker can be your guide - start tracking latest events as they happen and get access to essential documents as they come in. We know the struggle, which is why we built this product to capture every twist and turn in the regulatory saga so you never miss a beat.
Ultimately, Patton leaders are hoping this new law will deter investors from using family homes as tourist stays and push the balance back toward full-time residents.
For hosts currently operating STRs—or thinking about jumping in—this new ordinance is more than just paperwork. It’s a signal that in Patton Township, short-term rentals are no longer operating in a grey zone. They're under a spotlight—and under regulation.
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