Host Resources
Practical help for running a Poconos vacation rental, from your listing to taxes, community rules and the local pros who keep your home guest-ready.
Getting started on Poconos Vacation Rentals
Already on Airbnb? Paste your listing link and we fill in the details and photos for you.
Add my home →Upload your ID and proof of ownership once. Add your rental permit to earn the Verified Host badge.
Verification →Paste your iCal link from Airbnb, Vrbo, your management software or Google Calendar.
My dashboard →Post a last-minute deal, and share your Book Direct badge and QR code with past guests.
Last-minute deals →Every host you refer earns you $50 toward your next renewal.
Refer & Earn →See the owner FAQ, or email us anytime.
Owner FAQ →Make your own video tour
A short video walk-through helps guests picture their stay. Premier and Spotlight members can show one on their listing. You make and own the video; we don't film or edit videos. Here's the simplest way to do it yourself:
- Film on your phone. Hold it sideways, walk slowly, turn on every light and open the blinds. Start outside, then go room by room. Show the hot tub, game room, views and anything special.
- Edit it free with CapCut. Trim the clips, add music and short titles (“3 bedrooms · Lake access · Hot tub”). Aim for 1 to 3 minutes.
- Upload it to YouTube or Vimeo. On YouTube you can choose “Unlisted” so only people with the link can find it.
- Paste the link into the “Video tour link” box when you edit your home.
Open CapCut (free) ↗How to upload to YouTube ↗
Rather hire a pro? See photographers and videographers in Local vendors below.
Lodging taxes: what to collect and how to file
Stays shorter than 30 nights in Pennsylvania owe two separate taxes on the rent (and usually the cleaning fee). Airbnb and Vrbo may collect some of these on bookings made through them, but on direct bookings, including requests from our site, you collect and pay them yourself.
1. Pennsylvania hotel occupancy tax (6%)
- Register once. Get a Sales, Use and Hotel Occupancy Tax license through myPATH, the Department of Revenue's online system, before you collect the tax.
- Note your filing schedule. When you register, the state assigns how often you file (monthly, quarterly or semiannually, based on how much tax you collect) and your due dates. You'll see them in your myPATH account.
- Collect 6% from guests on each stay under 30 nights.
- File and pay in myPATH by each due date. File even for a period with no rentals.
Official source: PA Department of Revenue: home sharing and short-term rentals
2. County hotel tax (3%)
Monroe and Carbon Counties each charge a 3% hotel tax, registered and paid separately from the state. The county and state don't share your registration, so you need both.
- Monroe County: register with the Monroe County Treasurer (Stroudsburg) using the county's hotel tax registration form, then file a quarterly report and payment by the 25th of the month after each quarter, marked “No tax due” if you had no rentals. Late payments add interest. Monroe County hotel tax page
- Carbon County: register with and pay the Carbon County Treasurer (Jim Thorpe). Contact the Treasurer's office for the current registration form and filing schedule.
We're putting together picture-by-picture walkthroughs of a real myPATH filing and county quarterly report from our own homes. Check back soon.
Community guest registration
Many Pocono communities require you to register every rental stay (and sometimes every guest and vehicle) before arrival. Here's what the communities our homes are in require of renters, from each association's own rules:
Emerald Lakes · Monroe County
Your host registers your stay with the Emerald Lakes Association at least 24 hours before arrival.
- Amenity badges (beaches, pools, courts, boat rentals). Per person: $20 for 1 day up to $50 for 7 days; age 2 and under free. Optional, only if you use the amenities.
Source: Emerald Lakes Association, 2026 Renting in Emerald Lakes and Rules & Regulations · association website
Towamensing Trails · Carbon County
Your host submits your signed registration to the Towamensing Trails office at least 72 hours before check-in.
- Badges. 8 badges come with the home; a lost set costs $100. Extra summer day wristbands $10 per person per day.
Source: Towamensing Trails POA 2026 Rental Policy and STR Owner Handbook · association website
Arrowhead Lake · Monroe County
Your host registers you at least 3 days before check-in (a $100 late fee applies inside 3 days, and registration isn't accepted less than 1 day before arrival). Minimum stay 2 nights.
- Temporary membership (ages 6+): $8.5. $8.50 per person per night in season (late May to early September), $2 off season.
- Transaction fee: $20
- Gate card or code: $20. $20 per vehicle.
Source: Arrowhead Lake Community Association STR registration form (2026) and rules · association website
Locust Lake Village · Monroe County
Your host pre-registers everyone 12 and older and every vehicle before arrival. Minimum stay 2 nights.
- Rental registration: $35. Charged to the owner; your host may pass it on.
- Wristbands. Required for ages 12+; they stay at the house ($25 to replace). Day guests $5 per person plus $10 per car.
Source: Locust Lake Village 2025 Vacation Rental Behavior Policy and 2026 forms · association website
Indian Mountain Lake · Carbon County
Your host registers all guests and vehicles at least 2 business days before your stay; only listed guests are admitted.
- Short-term rental registration: $60. A $75 late fee applies if registration is late.
- Wristbands. $10 each, up to 10 per home. Optional.
Source: Indian Mountain Lake Civic Association 2026 registration form and Rules & Regulations · association website
Lake Naomi · Monroe County
Amenities are through a Lake Naomi Club temporary membership (stays of a week or longer, Saturday to Saturday). Apply at least 48 hours before arrival, or a $50 rush fee applies.
- Temporary membership. Off-season 2026: $380 for 1 week, $715 for 2 weeks. Covers 2 adults and up to 6 children aged 4 to 23. Optional.
Source: Lake Naomi Club Temporary Member page and 2024 Rental FAQ · association website
Penn Estates · Monroe County
Your host registers every guest, pet and vehicle with Penn Estates at least 3 days before you arrive, with a signed lease. Visitors must be registered with the Welcome Center.
- Amenity passes. Seasonal passes bought by the owner, one per guest.
Source: Penn Estates POA Rules and Regulations (amended 04.05.24) · association website
Brier Crest Woods · Monroe County
Your host registers the rental online before arrival (2-night minimum, 14-night maximum).
- Rental registration (up to 10 guests, 4 vehicles): $60
Source: Brier Crest Woods POA rules (rev. Jan 2026) · association website
Some associations charge owners extra fees simply for renting their home. An HOA can only charge what its governing documents (the declaration of covenants, bylaws and rules) and Pennsylvania law allow. If you think a rental fee you're being charged isn't authorized, an attorney can review your community's documents and help you challenge it.
Talk to an attorney at StopHOA.com ↗This is general information, not legal advice. Whether a fee is allowed depends on your community's documents and the law.
Township short-term rental permits
Several Pocono townships require a short-term rental permit or license, often with a safety inspection, an occupancy limit and a local contact who can respond quickly. Requirements differ by township, so check with your township office (or its website) before you rent, and renew on time.
Once you have your permit, upload it under Verification to earn the Verified Host badge on your listing.
Trusted local vendors
We're lining up trusted local photographers, videographers, cleaners, handymen, hot tub techs and snow removal crews, with perks for our members.
Are you a Poconos business that serves vacation rental owners? Email hello@vacationrentalspoconos.com to be listed.