Jim Thorpe Borough Short-Term Rental Permit: Rules, Fees and How to Apply

The rules in Jim Thorpe Borough

• Short-term rentals (1 to 30 days) need a borough Short-Term Rental License, and are allowed by special exception only in certain zoning districts (C1, C2, C3, R4 and S-Special under the 2021 zoning amendment). Check your property's district first.
• No meals may be served to guests. Occupancy is limited by the sewage capacity.
• At least 1 off-street parking space per bedroom.
• The application asks for the owner and a local contact with 24-hour phones, maximum guests and vehicles, sewage details, your listing ID, the Carbon County hotel tax certificate, PA sales tax license, at least $300,000 general liability insurance, proof of ownership, copies of your ads, a parking plan, photos and a floor plan with bedroom sizes.
• Post a notice inside, a 911 address sign and the borough's STR window sign facing the road.

Fees

• Not published online. Ask the borough office.

How to apply

Download the application from the borough website and contact the borough office, 115 East 10th Street, Jim Thorpe, PA 18229: (570) 325-3025. Zoning hours Tuesday and Friday, 12 to 4 PM.

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).
• Carbon County's 3% hotel tax, registered with the Carbon County Treasurer in Jim Thorpe.

Confirm with the township

• The license fee, renewal period and inspection rules.
• The current list of zoning districts (the zoning ordinance was re-adopted in 2023).

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.