Rules, Regulations, and Good Neighborliness
Whether you’re hosting short-term rentals for the first time or you’ve been doing so for a while, get the best and latest hosting resources to ensure a great experience for guests, our communities, and yourself!
NEED-TO-KNOW SHORT-TERM RENTAL REGULATION INFORMATION
MONROE COUNTY
WAYNE COUNTY
CARBON COUNTY
Information coming soon!
PIKE COUNTY
Information coming soon!
Pennsylvania Lodging Taxes
Most short-term rentals in the state of Pennsylvania are subject to lodging taxes. Use this lodging tax lookup tool to get your property’s specific lodging tax rate.
Unless all of your STR transactions go through Airbnb or Vrbo, you are also required to register with the PA Department of Revenue to receive a Sales, Use, and Hotel Occupancy Tax License.
Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit this tax on your behalf for reservations booked through each respective platform. For reservations booked directly, operators are required to file returns and pay taxes online.
Additional STR Requirements
Part of Poconos hospitality means being a great neighbor. In addition to short-term rental ordinances, every township has additional ordinances on common nuisance issues, including noise, fireworks, parking, and trash. Ensure you and your guests know all applicable local rules to avoid penalties and create a great experience for all.
Noise Ordinances
Quiet Hours Vary by Community
Best Practices
- Do not allow parties at your property and watch out for early warning signs
- Use noise monitoring to monitor noise decibel levels
- Use external security cameras to monitor guest traffic
- Inform guests of noise rules and good neighbor expectations in your listing, house rules, and pre-stay communications
No Fireworks
While some may be legal in Pennsylvania, fireworks are banned or strictly limited in most areas
Best Practices
- Do not allow firework use at your property
- Ensure guests know of all local fireworks rules, laws, and penalties
- Use external security cameras to monitor firework use
Residential Parking Ordinances
Parking limitations and requirements vary by township and neighborhood
Best Practices
- Do not allow parties at your property and watch out for early warning signs
- Use external security cameras to monitor guest parking
- Inform guests of parking limits, requirements, and availability in your listing, house rules, pre-stay communications, and on-site signage
Residential Waste Ordinances
Waste and recycling are to be stored in assigns bins and brought to and from the curb on corresponding pickup days.
Best Practices
- Use external security cameras to monitor trash management
- Inform guests of trash and recycling management procedures in your house manual, on-site signage, and in-stay communications
SETTING THE RIGHT GUEST EXPECTATIONS WITH HOSPITABLE HOUSE RULES & GREAT COMMUNICATIONS
Crafting house rules effectively is an art, a perfect balance of clear but cheerful – clearful! Plus, when guests send questions or requests that indicate they might inadvertently – or intentionally – cause issues, responding in a friendly but firm way heads off problems while maintaining a positive relationship.
Looking for a privacy-safe noise monitoring solution? Save 20% on NoiseAware devices! Use code RRNA20 at checkout.
FROM VRBO
Trust AND Safety for Owners and Guests
FROM VRBO
NOTIFY VRBO OF A DISRUPTIVE PROPERTY
FROM VRBO
How to Prevent NEIGHBOR Complaints
FROM VRBO
How to Prevent Parties at Your STR
Report a Property
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
SHORT-TERM RENTAL REGULATIONS
What is considered a short-term rental?
Short-term rentals in Pennsylvania are defined as stays of less than 30 days by the same person.
Am I required to have a permit to start my STR?
It depends on the municipality your short-term rental is located in. Search the applicable local or county government site for any current STR ordinances.
Do I have to pay the lodging taxes?
Yes, most short-term rentals in the state of Pennsylvania are subject to lodging taxes. Use this lodging tax lookup tool to get your property’s specific lodging tax rate.
Unless all of your STR transactions go through Airbnb or Vrbo, you are also required to register with the PA Department of Revenue to receive a Sales, Use, and Hotel Occupancy Tax License.
Who remits the lodging tax?
Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit this tax on your behalf for reservations booked through each respective platform. For reservations booked directly, operators are required to file returns and pay taxes online.
Can my HOA override state or local STR laws?
Yes, your HOA CC&Rs may be more strict than your local government’s rules, meaning they can ban STRs or apply strict limits even if the city allows them. HOAs may not allow STRs if the city does not allow them. They must, however, follow their own voting procedures to change the CC&Rs.
What if my property falls outside of township limits – do township rules still apply to me?
If your property is in an unincorporated area, it would be subject to the regulations of unincorporated areas of your county.