READING, Pa. – Reading City Council voted Monday night to adopt a zoning amendment that will regulate the operation of short-term rentals, including Airbnb and VRBO rentals.
Discussed over the previous month, the administration had repeatedly stressed that the ordinance was proposed to promote positive competition in the city and to protect residents and visitors.
The zoning amendment now states that short-term rentals will be permitted “by right” in the following zoning districts: C-C Commercial Core, CR Commercial-Residential, CN Commercial Neighborhood and C-H Commercial Highway.
In addition, the rentals will be permitted in the R-3 Residential district by a special exception.
Properties in other zoning districts, including Low-Density Residential (R-1 and R-2) will now have to seek a zoning variance to have a short-term rental approved.
All property owners who plan to operate a short-term rental will be required to obtain a zoning permit and an operating license.
A short-term rental is defined as overnight stays up to a maximum of 30 days.
Councilmember Chris Miller said using Airbnb rentals is now a common practice.
“We need to acknowledge it, and we need to realize that this is the way things are evolving,” Miller said.