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

The rules in Tobyhanna Township

• A yearly Short-Term Rental Permit for each home, issued to the owner (not transferable to a new owner). Renew up to 60 days before it expires.
• Occupancy: 2 people per bedroom plus 2 (changed in February 2024; the older "maximum 10" no longer applies). Everyone counts, including children and infants. Lofts are not bedrooms.
• Bedrooms are capped by the septic permit; with no sewage permit on record, 3 bedrooms unless the septic is shown to be adequate.
• Minimum stay of 2 nights. The person signing the rental agreement must be at least 25.
• A person in charge who lives or has an office within a 30-minute drive, answers a 24-hour phone and can get to the home within 30 minutes.
• Parking only on the property: not on streets, rights-of-way or lawns. No RVs, tents or outdoor sleeping; no fireworks or floating lanterns; no subleasing.
• At least $500,000 liability insurance. Your permit number, maximum occupancy and county and state tax license numbers must appear in your listings.
• Septic evaluation and proof of pumping within 3 years (or a central-sewer letter), floor plan and parking plan, Monroe County hotel tax certificate and PA sales tax license.
• Smoke and CO detectors, GFI outlets, a metal dryer vent and a kitchen fire extinguisher; an information packet with the rules posted inside.
• If your HOA has its own rules, the stricter rule applies. Fines start at $500 per violation; 3 uncured violations in 12 months can cost you the permit.

Fees

• $600 first year and $500 each renewal, as last published by the township (October 2022 FAQ). The township sets fees by resolution; we couldn't find a newer schedule, so confirm the current amount.
• $200 per review after the third review (March 2023).

How to apply

Apply online through the township's GovOS (MuniRevs) portal, or on paper at the township office, 105 Government Center Way, Pocono Pines, PA 18350. Office (570) 646-1212. STR complaint line (570) 507-8181.

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 current permit and renewal fee (last published in 2022).

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.