Mount Pocono Short-Term Rental Regulations

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Permit & Licensing

Short-Term Rental License

This permit type does not require primary residence.

Application Process

Applicants file a Short-Term Rental Application (a zoning permit) with the Borough. Application must be submitted with: a copy of the current deed; if on a private septic system, its location, approximate age, capacity, a professional evaluation of the system, and proof of pumping within the last 12 months; a copy of a current Monroe County Hotel Room Excise Tax Certificate; a copy of a current Pennsylvania Sales and Use Tax Permit; a signed trespass waiver authorizing the Borough to enter and inspect the property; and the $500 registration fee. A managing agent is required if the property owner is not a local resident. The application is reviewed and approved or denied by the Zoning Officer, who assigns a permit number if approved; issuance of a license is not guaranteed by submission of an application.

Tax Obligations

Combined rate: 9% of gross rental income.

Collection: Owners/operators must hold both a current Monroe County Hotel Room Excise Tax Certificate and a current Pennsylvania Sales, Use, and Hotel Occupancy Tax License, self-collect both taxes from guests, and remit the state tax electronically via myPATH; copies of both current certificates/licenses are a mandatory attachment to the Borough's short-term rental license application.

Filing: Monroe County Hotel Room Excise Tax is reported using the county's Quarterly Report form.

Rental Limits

Mount Pocono does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent. Individual-stay rule: Fewer than 30 days per booking; Chapter 154 defines a 'short-term rental' as a dwelling unit on a lot of 0.5 acres or more that is rented or leased for a period of less than 30 days, and the licensing scheme applies only to bookings under that threshold.

Occupancy & Density Limits

Overnight occupancy is limited to two occupants per bedroom plus two additional occupants, as designated on the license (2 bedrooms = 6 max, 3 = 8, 4 = 10, 5 = 12, 6 = 14). Every bedroom must contain at least 70 square feet (100 square feet if occupied by more than one person) and be no less than 7 feet in any plan dimension. Occupancy of recreational vehicles, camper trailers and tents is not allowed.

Zoning & Restrictions

• As of Ordinance No. 5 of 2023 (Table of Uses Permitted by District, adopted June 6, 2023), short-term rentals are a permitted use only in the C-1 and C-2 commercial zoning districts and are Not Permitted in the R-1, R-2, and R-3 residential districts or in the M and R-LM districts.
• Ordinance No. 4 of 2023 (adopted the same day) further amended Borough Code Sec. 154-10 to state that under no circumstances shall an STR license be issued for any dwelling unit located in any residential zone of the Borough, and made STR licenses non-transferable: a license is automatically revoked upon recordation of a deed transferring title, and cannot be reissued to a new owner in a district where short-term rentals are no longer permitted.
• Separately, Chapter 154's 'short-term rental' definition requires the dwelling unit be on a lot of at least 0.5 acres.

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

Mount Pocono does not require short-term rental operators to carry specific insurance. Standard homeowner policies often exclude short-term rental activity, so many hosts obtain dedicated short-term rental or landlord liability coverage.

Safety & Operating Requirements

• To be approved for letting, a short-term rental must have: a smoke detector in each bedroom; a smoke detector outside each bedroom in the common hallway; a smoke detector on each floor; a GFI outlet on any outlet within six feet of a water source; aluminum or metal exhaust from the dryer; a carbon monoxide detector if there is an open-flame (oil or gas) furnace, gas fireplace, or attached garage; a fire extinguisher in the kitchen; indoor and outdoor stairs in good condition; and covers on all outlets.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Failure to comply with any provision of Chapter 154, or with an order to abate an activity, use, or condition, is a violation subject to criminal prosecution and revocation of the license. The Borough may also seek injunctive relief in the Court of Common Pleas. License revocation: if an owner of a short-term rental commits two or more offenses resulting in convictions within one year, the short-term rental license may be revoked.

Market Snapshot

Demand context for Mount Pocono from official government and tourism statistics — the latest published annual figures, not a projection of rental income.

Reminder: permit availability is constrained in this market (see the caveat near the top of this page) — demand figures do not mean a new permit is obtainable.

Figures are the latest annual statistics published by the linked official sources (retrieved 2026-07-13). Visitor counts cover the geography stated by each source, which can be wider than the city itself. Regulations above — not market conditions — determine whether and how you may operate.

Compliance Checklist

Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Mount Pocono:

1. Meet safety requirements. To be approved for letting, a short-term rental must have: a smoke detector in each bedroom; a smoke detector outside each bedroom in the common hallway; a smoke detector on each floor; a GFI outlet on any outlet within six feet of a water source; aluminum or metal exhaust from the dryer; a carbon monoxide detector if there is an open-flame (oil or gas) furnace, gas fireplace, or attached garage; a fire extinguisher in the kitchen; indoor and outdoor stairs in good condition; and covers on all outlets.
2. Apply for Short-Term Rental License. Submit application + $500 fee.
3. Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with Pennsylvania Department of Revenue; Monroe County Treasurer's Office.
4. Collect and remit taxes. 9% on all bookings.
5. Renew annually. Contact city for renewal fee details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Mount Pocono?

Yes. Operating a short-term rental — including an Airbnb or Vrbo — in Mount Pocono requires a short-term rental permit.

How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Mount Pocono?

A short-term rental permit in Mount Pocono costs $500 per year.

Does Mount Pocono require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?

No. Mount Pocono allows non-owner-occupied short-term rentals, so investment properties can qualify provided you hold the required permit.

How many days a year can you short-term rent in Mount Pocono?

Mount Pocono does not cap the number of nights per year you can short-term rent, though permitting, zoning, and occupancy rules still apply.

What taxes do you pay on a short-term rental in Mount Pocono?

Short-term rental stays in Mount Pocono are subject to a combined 9% in lodging taxes. This combines 6% Pennsylvania Hotel Occupancy Tax + 3% Monroe County Hotel Room Excise Tax. Hosts are legally responsible; many booking platforms collect and remit them automatically on the host's behalf.

What are the penalties for short-term rental violations in Mount Pocono?

Penalties run up to $1,000 per day (see the Penalties section for the full schedule).