Office of Community Affairs: Zoning & Planning
Welcome to the Office of Community Affairs. This page continuously updated with information that will address zoning and planning topics in the borough, including information for business owners. If you have any questions, please reach out to Gina Thompson, HARB/Zoning & Planning Administrator, at [email protected] or 814-355-1501 ext. 216.
ADOPTED: Short Term Rental Ordinance
On January 17, 2023, Bellefonte Borough Council passed the new Short Term Rental Ordinance to Chapter 575: Zoning. The ordinance will go into affect after Borough Council adopts an application fee, to be approved at the February 6, 2023 meeting.
Short Term Rental operators that currently have an active rental permit through Centre Region Code will then be required to apply for a Short Term Rental Permit in order to continue operating the short term rental. This must be done within 30 days.
Points of Clarification
- If you do not have an active rental permit with Centre Region Code, you may not apply for a short-term rental.
- If you were previously denied a short term rental, you may not apply for a short-term rental.
- All proper paperwork must be submitted within the 30-day deadline. Failure to do so may result in a loss of short-term rental status.
- Fees must be paid when submitting the application and are per unit.
–> SHORT RENTAL PERMIT APPLICATION <–
Please complete the checklist and submit all items with a completed application. Applications can be dropped off or mailed to:
Bellefonte Borough Zoning Department
Attn: Gina Thompson
236 West Lamb Street
Bellefonte, PA 16823
Quick Links:
- Zoning Map (rev. 2017)
- Zoning Ordinances
- Zoning / Planning Permit Applications
- HARB / Historic District
- Design Professional Resource List (contractors, roofers, engineers, etc)
- Floodplain app
Are you interested in opening a business or buying a commercial building in Downtown Bellefonte?
- Check out our Guide: How to Open a Business in Bellefonte
- Apply for a Business Zoning Permit
- Obtain a Fire Safety License from Centre Region Code
- Contact Centre Region Code for any change of use modifications
- Contact HARB before any external renovations, including signs and painting.