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

The rules in Coolbaugh Township

• Short-term rentals are allowed only in the R-1, R-2, R-3, W-C and C-3 zoning districts.
• A yearly Short-Term Rental License for each home, with an inspection before it's issued and before each renewal. Not transferable; no license while the property has open code violations.
• Occupancy: 2 people per bedroom plus 4, up to 14 at most. Babies under 2 don't count. Day guests up to 75% of the overnight maximum.
• Bedrooms must be at least 70 sq ft, and the home needs another living space of at least 120 sq ft. No rentals on a sewage holding tank; the septic is inspected at every application and renewal (pumper evaluation within 3 months).
• Parking: at least 1 space per bedroom (9 x 18 ft, paved or stoned), all on the property and reached from the driveway.
• A contact person reachable 24/7 who can get to the home within 2 hours and answers the township within 1 hour of a violation notice.
• At least $500,000 liability insurance covering rental use, and the Monroe County hotel tax certificate. Copies of your ads go to the township.
• Trash can only be out from 6 PM the day before pickup to 6 PM pickup day, unless it's in a bear-proof container. Open fires out by midnight; shielded outdoor lights.
• Post your license and the rules inside, plus a front-door notice and a 911 address sign. Fines up to $1,000 a day; 3 convictions in 12 months means a 1-year revocation.

Fees

• $200 for the first license, $150 per yearly renewal, $40 per re-inspection if problems are found (2026 fee schedule, March 3, 2026).

How to apply

Apply online through the township's permit portal. Questions: str@coolbaughtwp.org or 570-894-8490 (5520 Municipal Drive, Tobyhanna, PA 18466).

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).

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.