Pocono Township Short-Term Rental Regulations

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Permit & Licensing

Transient Dwelling Use (TDU) License

This permit type does not require primary residence.

Application Process

Owner or managing agent submits a Transient Dwelling Application to the Township Zoning Officer with: a copy of the current deed; if on private septic, evaluation/pumping records; a copy of the current Monroe County Hotel Room Excise Tax Certificate; a copy of the current Pennsylvania Sales & Use Tax Permit; a signed trespass waiver allowing Township inspection access; proof of $500,000 general liability insurance per occurrence; and the $2,500 application fee (paid at submission). The Township has 15 business days after a complete application to inspect the property and grant or deny the TDU license; if no action is taken within 15 business days, the application is deemed denied.

Tax Obligations

Combined rate: 9% of gross rental income.

Collection: Owners/operators must register for and hold both a Monroe County Hotel Room Excise Tax Certificate and a Pennsylvania Sales, Use, and Hotel Occupancy Tax License, self-collect both taxes from guests, and remit the state tax via myPATH; proof of current certificates for both is a mandatory attachment to the Township's TDU license application and TDU license renewal is conditioned on verification that all owed hotel and sales taxes have been paid.

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

Rental Limits

Pocono Township does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent. Individual-stay rule: Fewer than 30 days per booking; the ordinance's Transient Dwelling Use (TDU) classification — and thus the entire licensing scheme — only applies to rentals of less than 30 days.

Occupancy & Density Limits

Overnight occupancy limited to no more than 2 persons per bedroom plus 4 additional persons per TDU, or a maximum of 14 occupants per TDU, whichever is less. Daytime (non-overnight) guests, in addition to overnight occupants, may not exceed 75% of the TDU's maximum overnight occupancy. The owner must further limit occupancy to the specific number of tenants designated on the TDU license, and permitted bedroom count cannot exceed the number of bedrooms approved on the property's sewage permit (or 3 bedrooms if no sewage permit is on record, absent proof of adequate septic capacity).

Zoning & Restrictions

Transient Dwelling Use (short-term rental) is permitted only within the Commercial District and the Recreational District established by the Township Zoning Code (Chapter 470); the TDU licensing chapter's scope excludes the Township's residential (R-1/R-2) zoning districts.

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

Operators must maintain at least $500,000 minimum general liability coverage per occurrence.

Safety & Operating Requirements

• No on-street or yard parking is permitted at any time; no tents, and no recreational vehicles, campers, buses or other large vehicles may be parked on the TDU property at any time; outdoor overnight sleeping of tenants or guests is prohibited. Bedroom count may not exceed the number approved on the property's sewage permit, and if a septic system malfunctions the TDU must stop operating until it is corrected. Fireworks and floating lanterns are prohibited. A public notice placard issued with the license must be posted on the TDU's front door at all times.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Any uncorrected violation is enforced before a Magisterial District Judge as a summary offense, punishable by a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000 per violation plus court costs and the Township's reasonable attorney's fees, and/or imprisonment to the extent allowed by law for summary offenses; each day a violation continues is a separate violation. Separately, and in addition to any fine, the Zoning Officer or Code Official may revoke a TDU license, or deny an application to renew one, for two uncured or repeated violations of the chapter, with the license revoked/renewal denied for a period of one year. License revocation or denial of renewal: the Zoning Officer or Code Official may revoke, or deny an application to renew, a TDU license for two uncured or repeated violations of the chapter within a one-year period, separate from and in addition to the fines imposed for the underlying violations.

Compliance Checklist

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

1. Meet safety requirements. No on-street or yard parking is permitted at any time; no tents, and no recreational vehicles, campers, buses or other large vehicles may be parked on the TDU property at any time; outdoor overnight sleeping of tenants or guests is prohibited. Bedroom count may not exceed the number approved on the property's sewage permit, and if a septic system malfunctions the TDU must stop operating until it is corrected. Fireworks and floating lanterns are prohibited. A public notice placard issued with the license must be posted on the TDU's front door at all times.
2. Obtain liability insurance. $500,000 minimum general liability coverage per occurrence.
3. Apply for Transient Dwelling Use (TDU) License. Submit application + $2,500 fee.
4. Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with Pennsylvania Department of Revenue; Monroe County Treasurer's Office.
5. Collect and remit taxes. 9% on all bookings.
6. Renew annually. Contact city for renewal fee details.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. Operating a short-term rental — including an Airbnb or Vrbo — in Pocono Township requires a Transient Dwelling Use.

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

A Transient Dwelling Use in Pocono Township costs $2,500 per year.

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

No. Pocono Township 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 Pocono Township?

Pocono Township 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 Pocono Township?

Short-term rental stays in Pocono Township 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 Pocono Township?

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