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

The rules in Lackawaxen Township

• A yearly Short-Term Rental License (stays of 1 to 30 days), renewed with an inspection. Allowed in all zoning districts if you follow the ordinance.
• Occupancy: 2 people per bedroom plus 4 overnight; day guests up to 75%. Bedrooms capped by the sewage permit (3 if none is on file).
• A local contact who answers the township within 1 hour (you can be the contact if you live within 30 miles).
• Parking on the property only: not on a public street, right-of-way or the septic system. No RVs, campers, trailers, tents or outdoor sleeping.
• Interconnected smoke detectors, CO detectors, a kitchen fire extinguisher, GFI outlets and egress windows.
• Apply with the deed, an access waiver, the Pike County hotel tax certificate, PA sales tax license, proof from your HOA that rentals are allowed, your trash hauler's name and proof of insurance.
• Post a notice by the front door (contact, 911 address, limits, trash rule). Fines $100 to $1,000 per violation.

Fees

• New rentals $300, then $50 per year; rentals that existed before the ordinance $100, then $50 per year; re-inspection $75 (Resolution 2022-04, the newest we found).

How to apply

Contact the township at (570) 685-7288. The ordinance and fee resolution are on the township's Ordinances page; we didn't find an online application.

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).
• Pike County's hotel tax: ask the Pike County Treasurer how to register and file.

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.