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

The rules in Penn Forest Township

• A yearly Short-Term Rental License for each home, registered online. New rentals also need a one-time zoning permit. Late renewals cost double, and after 90 days you must reapply.
• Occupancy: an average of 2 people per bedroom plus 4. Day guests up to 75% of the overnight maximum. Bedrooms must be at least 70 sq ft and are capped by the septic permit (3 if there's none on record); homes over 5 bedrooms need the Sewage Enforcement Officer's approval.
• A contact person reachable 24 hours a day who can be at the home within 1 hour if a problem can't be handled by phone.
• Parking: at least 1 space per bedroom (9 x 18 ft, mud-free), all on the property.
• Apply with a photo from the road, your listing ID, a floor plan to scale, a parking diagram and septic details (pumper evaluation and pumping within 3 years). Renewals need proof of paid county hotel tax and PA sales tax.
• Your ads must show the license number or the property address, and can't advertise more guests or bedrooms than licensed.
• No RV, camper or tent stays (except kids under 13 camping out). Open fires out by midnight; shielded outdoor lights. Fines up to $1,000 a day; 3 convictions in 12 months mean a 1-year revocation.
• Getting your HOA's approval is up to you.

Fees

• License $250 and renewal $250 (Resolution 17 of 2021, the newest fee resolution we found).
• One-time zoning permit $150 and yearly inspection $100 plus $25 per bedroom (township STR page).

How to apply

Register online through the township's STR portal (linked from its Short-Term Rentals page). Zoning Office 570-325-2760 (STR questions Wednesday and Friday, 8 to 11 AM). 24/7 complaint hotline 855-255-5767.

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

• Quiet hours and the age under which children don't count toward occupancy (the ordinance and the township page don't match).

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.