Chestnuthill Township Short-Term Rental Permit: Rules, Fees and How to Apply

The rules in Chestnuthill Township

• A yearly Short-Term Rental License for each home, issued to the owner, with an inspection for the first license and every renewal.
• Occupancy: 2 people per bedroom overnight; day guests up to half. Bedrooms at least 70 sq ft, capped by the septic permit (3 without one).
• Apply with floor plans, a site plan with parking, septic details with a pumper evaluation and pumping within 3 years, the county hotel tax certificate, PA sales tax license, a trespass waiver, the deed and at least $500,000 liability insurance covering rental use.
• No meals served to guests; not allowed on lots smaller than the zoning minimum. Parking on the property only.
• Trash outside only in watertight containers from 6 PM the day before pickup to 6 PM pickup day. Give guests a packet of township rules and post a front-door notice.
• Detailed safety rules: interconnected smoke alarms, CO alarms, GFCI outlets, a professionally tagged fire extinguisher, dryer-duct and handrail requirements.
• Fines $100 to $1,000 a day; any uncured violation can cost you the license for a year.

Fees

• $100 application (2024 fee schedule). The 2026 fee schedule doesn't list a short-term rental fee, so confirm the current amount.

How to apply

No form is posted online. Call the Zoning Office at (570) 992-7247, extension 29, Monday to Friday 8 to 4.

Before you apply: your tax registrations

Townships usually ask for proof that you're registered for lodging taxes, so do these first:

• Pennsylvania's 6% hotel occupancy tax: register for a sales, use and hotel occupancy tax license in myPATH (the PA-100 registration).
• Monroe County's 3% hotel room rental tax, registered with the County Treasurer (see our Monroe County hotel tax guide).

Confirm with the township

• The current fee.
• Which zoning districts allow short-term rentals (local news reported they're a conditional use in the General Commercial district).

Tips

• Check your community or HOA rules too. Many Pocono communities have their own renter registration, fees and limits, and you have to follow both.
• Keep one folder with your deed, insurance declaration page, floor and site plans, septic records and tax certificates. Renewals usually ask for the same papers.
• Make sure the guest limit on Airbnb, Vrbo and our site matches your permit.