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Harris Township amends short-term rental application; proof of hotel-tax registration removed
Summary
The board adopted Ordinance 384 to remove a proof-of-hotel-tax-registration requirement from short-term rental license applications and will provide an applicant disclaimer about potential state and county registrations; supervisors noted enforcement of tax payment rests with county authorities and large platforms may remit taxes on behalf of hosts.
The Harris Township Board voted to adopt Ordinance 384, amending Chapter 3, Article 3, Section 3.8 to remove a requirement that short-term rental applicants submit proof of hotel tax registration.
Staff explained the change was prompted after learning Centre County does not issue a certificate proving hotel-tax registration and because some major short-term rental platforms collect and remit local and state taxes on behalf of hosts. The ordinance revises the application form to include a disclaimer notifying applicants they may need to register for hotel taxes with state and county authorities.
Supervisors discussed enforcement boundaries. One supervisor said enforcement of hotel-tax payment is primarily a county responsibility; staff reported talking with the county administrator about the issue and hoped the county would investigate instances of unregistered properties. The board adopted the ordinance by voice vote; no fines or enforcement changes were added at this meeting.
The amendment streamlines the township application process while signaling to applicants that separate tax registration may still be required by other authorities.
