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

The rules in Polk Township

• Your lot must be at least 1 contiguous acre. No new short-term rental permits in any R-1 zone (since August 2024).
• You also need a building code permit (or waiver) first, and no permit is issued if an inspection finds unpermitted work.
• A yearly permit for each home, issued to the owner, renewed with an inspection.
• Occupancy: 2 people per bedroom overnight; day guests up to 75%. Bedrooms capped by the septic permit; the septic must be pumped every 3 years.
• A person in charge who lives or has an office within 15 miles and acts as your legal agent.
• Apply with floor and site plans, a septic evaluation and pumping proof, the county hotel tax certificate, PA sales tax permit, a trespass waiver, the deed, at least $500,000 liability insurance and a letter notifying your owners' association.
• Parking on the property only. No fireworks; no RVs, campers, tents or outdoor sleeping. Interconnected smoke detectors, CO detectors, GFI outlets, a metal dryer vent, a kitchen fire extinguisher and basement egress to the outside.
• Fines $100 to $1,000 a day; 3 uncured violations in 12 months can cost you the permit.

Fees

• Renewal $300 including 1 inspection; extra inspections $100 (application forms, July 2026). The first-year fee is listed as both $600 and $300 on the same form, so confirm it.

How to apply

Download the initial or renewal application from the township's Applications page and email it if you can. 165 Polk Township Rd., Kresgeville, PA 18333, 610-681-5376; Zoning Officer zoning@polktwp.org.

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 first-year fee ($600 or $300).

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.