Stroudsburg Short-Term Rental Regulations

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Permit & Licensing

Short-Term Home Rental License (Zoning Ch. 27, Part 15) plus a separate Short-Term Home Rental Zoning Permit (§27-1515)

This permit type does not require primary residence. Zoning restriction: Zoning Ch. 27, Part 15.

Application Process

Apply to the Borough's Zoning and Codes Department with owner and local-contact information, Monroe County Hotel Room Excise Tax Certificate number, PA Sales Tax number, unit/bedroom/occupancy counts, and a parking diagram or photo, plus the registration fee. A separate Short-Term Home Rental Zoning Permit is also required. Rental cannot begin until the application and payment are received, an inspection is performed by the Zoning and Codes Department, and a license is issued. Annual renewal applications are due by May 1; additional compliance inspections may incur a $100 per-unit fee.

Tax Obligations

Combined rate: 9% of gross rental income.

Collection: Hosts must hold a current Monroe County Hotel Room Excise Tax Certificate and a PA Sales, Use & Hotel Occupancy Tax License (proof is required at STR registration). Some booking platforms voluntarily collect and remit the PA hotel occupancy tax on the host's behalf; if a host does not exclusively use a compliant third-party broker, the host must register directly with the PA Department of Revenue via myPATH and collect/remit the tax itself.

Rental Limits

Stroudsburg does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent.

Occupancy & Density Limits

2 occupants per bedroom plus 4 additional persons per residence; day guests capped at 75% of maximum occupancy

Zoning & Restrictions

Short-term rentals are prohibited in the Borough's R-1, R-2, and R-3 residential zoning districts; they are permitted only in the Borough's non-residential districts — C-1, C-1A, C-2, MU-A, MU-B, I-1, and O-1 — under Zoning Ordinance §405 as amended by the 2020 Short-Term Rental Zoning Amendment, following the PA Supreme Court's Slice of Life v. Hamilton Township decision.

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

Stroudsburg 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

• Smoke detectors in each bedroom
• Smoke detectors outside each bedroom in common hallways
• Smoke detectors on each floor
• GFI outlets for outlets located within six feet of a water source
• Aluminum or metal exhaust from dryer
• Carbon monoxide detector near open-flame (oil or gas) furnace, gas or wood fireplace, or wood-burning stove
• Carbon monoxide detector if garage is attached
• Fire extinguisher in kitchen
• Stairs (indoor and outdoor) in good condition
• Swimming pools, hot tubs, and/or spas must meet the barrier requirements of Appendix G of the 2009 International Residential Code

Penalties for Non-Compliance

• Violation of the ordinance is declared a public nuisance, subject to criminal prosecution and license revocation
• Fine of up to $1,000 per day per violation (Magisterial District Judge), plus cost of suit including reasonable attorney fees; each day of violation is a separate offense
• License may be revoked if a Magisterial District Judge or other tribunal finds two or more violations within any 12-month period
• Borough may seek injunctive relief and other legal or equitable remedies

Platform Requirements

• The owner or local contact person must provide the Enforcement Officer a copy of all advertisements for the short-term rental
• Marketing that exceeds the maximum permitted occupancy or promotes an activity prohibited by the ordinance is itself a violation subject to fines.

Market Snapshot

Demand context for Stroudsburg 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 Stroudsburg:

1. Meet safety requirements. Smoke detectors in each bedroom. Smoke detectors outside each bedroom in common hallways. Smoke detectors on each floor. GFI outlets for outlets located within six feet of a water source. Aluminum or metal exhaust from dryer. Carbon monoxide detector near open-flame (oil or gas) furnace, gas or wood fireplace, or wood-burning stove. Carbon monoxide detector if garage is attached. Fire extinguisher in kitchen. Stairs (indoor and outdoor) in good condition. Swimming pools, hot tubs, and/or spas must meet the barrier requirements of Appendix G of the 2009 International Residential Code.
2. Apply for Short-Term Home Rental License plus a separate Short-Term Home Rental Zoning Permit. Submit application + $300 fee.
3. Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with Pennsylvania Department of Revenue and Monroe County Treasurer's Office.
4. Collect and remit taxes. 9% on all bookings.
5. Renew annually. $200 renewal fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Stroudsburg?

Yes. Operating a short-term rental — including an Airbnb or Vrbo — in Stroudsburg requires a Short-Term Home Rental License.

Are there major restrictions on short-term rentals in Stroudsburg?

Yes — Short-term rentals are prohibited in the Borough's R-1, R-2, and R-3 residential zoning districts; they are permitted only in the Borough's non-residential districts — C-1, C-1A, C-2, MU-A, MU-B. Review the full rules above before listing.

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

A Short-Term Home Rental License in Stroudsburg costs $300 per year. Renewal is $200 per year.

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

No. Stroudsburg 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 Stroudsburg?

Stroudsburg 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 Stroudsburg?

Short-term rental stays in Stroudsburg 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 Stroudsburg?

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