Bushkill, Pennsylvania Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Executive Summary: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Bushkill, PA?

No. Short-term rentals are NOT permitted for new properties in Bushkill, PA (Lehman Township). Lehman Township has explicitly ceased issuing new STR licenses and prohibits any new short-term rentals in residential zones. This represents a "Red Light" regulatory environment for new STR operations.

Existing Operations: Properties with previously issued STR licenses can be transferred to new owners through a "Certificate of Non-Conformity" issued before closing, followed by a license reissue application under the new owner's name.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Bushkill?

Bushkill hosts earn a median $29,136/year with $279 ADR and 42% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $50,209+ per year.

See the full Bushkill market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Bushkill, PA

Legal Pathway (Highly Restricted)

Given the current regulatory environment, the only legal pathway to operate a STR in Bushkill is:

Purchase Existing STR Property: Find a property with an existing, valid STR license
Certificate Transfer: Ensure the seller provides a "Certificate of Non-Conformity" issued by Lehman Township before closing
License Reapplication: Apply to have the license reissued under your name as the new owner

Alternative Approaches

Zoning Variance Application: While mentioned as theoretically possible, no variances for STR use have been issued in Lehman Township
Adjacent Communities: Consider neighboring municipalities with more permissive STR regulations
Alternative Business Models: Consider long-term rental or other hospitality business models

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

For Transferring Existing STR License

Pre-Purchase Requirements:

Certificate of Non-Conformity from current license holder
Property purchase agreement

Post-Purchase Requirements:

License reapplication form (if available)
Proof of property ownership
Current insurance coverage
Contact information for local responsible party

General Compliance Requirements

Liability Insurance: Minimum $500,000 general liability coverage
Local Contact: Designated responsible party for emergency and non-emergency situations
Tax Compliance: Pennsylvania state and local tax registration

Important Note

Lehman Township has effectively stopped processing new STR license transfers, making this pathway increasingly difficult and uncertain.

Specific Regulations: City/County/State Level

Local Level (Lehman Township - Pike County)

Prohibition Details:

New short-term rentals not permitted in any residential zone
No new licenses being issued
Existing licenses may be transferred under strict conditions
Licensing and transfer process has been effectively discontinued

Zoning Restrictions:

STR use prohibited in all residential zoning districts
No STR use permitted without existing license grandfathered status

County Level (Pike County)

Pike County does not appear to have county-wide STR regulations, leaving restrictions primarily at the township level.

State Level (Pennsylvania)

Legal Foundation: Pennsylvania municipalities derive STR regulatory authority from the 2019 Pennsylvania Supreme Court case "Slice of Life, LLC v. Hamilton Township Zoning Hearing Board." This ruling established that local zoning ordinances can exclude transient uses of property, providing municipalities broad authority to regulate STRs.

State Tax Requirements:

Pennsylvania Hotel Occupancy Tax: 6% on rentals 29 nights or shorter
Pennsylvania Sales Tax: 6% on gross rental receipts

Contact Information for Local Authority

Lehman Township (Bushkill, PA Municipality)

Primary Contact:

Address: 193 Municipal Drive, Bushkill, Pennsylvania 18324
Phone: (570) 588-9365
Fax: (570) 588-1864
Email: lehmanpk@ptd.net

Key Departments:

Board of Supervisors: Contact for policy questions
Zoning Officer: For zoning and permit inquiries
Code Enforcement: For compliance and enforcement matters

Voting Locations:

District #1: Lehman Township Municipal Building, Municipal Drive, Bushkill, PA 18324
District #2: Bushkill Outreach and Community Center, 216 Lehman Park Road, Bushkill, PA 18324

Source References

Lehman Township Official Website - Short-Term Rentals Information
- URL: www.lehmantownship.com/short-term-rentals/
- Content: Official township policy on STR prohibition
Pocono Vacation Home Sales STR Scorecard (2025 Update)
- URL: poconovacationhomesales.com/2022/03/01/str-scorecard-municipal-rules-on-short-term-rentals-in-the-poconos/
- Content: Comprehensive municipality-by-municipality STR regulations analysis
BiggerPockets Community Discussion
- URL: www.biggerpockets.com/forums/12/topics/928197-short-term-rentals-any-new-short-term-rentals-are-not-permitted
- Content: Investor experiences and ongoing discussions about Lehman Township STR restrictions

Investment Recommendations

Risk Assessment

High Risk Investment Climate: The regulatory environment in Bushkill/Lehman Township represents significant investment risk due to:

Complete prohibition of new STR operations
Effective discontinuation of license transfers
No active variance process for STR use
Trend toward increased restriction

Strategic Considerations

Due Diligence: Always verify current license status before purchasing any property marketed for STR use
Legal Review: Engage local legal counsel familiar with Pike County land use regulations
Alternative Markets: Consider neighboring townships with more permissive STR regulations
Long-term Strategy: Monitor township policy for potential regulatory changes

Recommended Action Plan for STR Investors

Given the current prohibition, serious STR investors should:

Expand Search Radius: Look to Monroe County townships with STR-friendly regulations
Consult Local Experts: Work with local real estate professionals familiar with the regulatory landscape
Monitor Policy Changes: Stay informed about potential township policy modifications
Consider Alternative Investments: Evaluate other hospitality or real estate investment opportunities in the broader Poconos region

This regulatory environment requires careful consideration and professional guidance before making any investment decisions in Bushkill-area STR properties.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Bushkill

Bushkill is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Pike County, Pennsylvania, set among the wooded ridges, hemlock hollows, and glacial lakes of the Pocono Mountains. With a small population of roughly a few thousand residents, it has a quiet, residential character that belies its proximity to some of the most visited natural attractions in northeastern Pennsylvania. The community serves as a long-established gateway to the Poconos and sits approximately 80 to 90 miles northwest of New York City, placing it within an easy drive of the broader metropolitan area and a natural fit for weekend escapes.

One of the region's signature draws is Bushkill Falls, sometimes called the "Niagara of Pennsylvania." A short drive from the center of the community, the privately owned park features a series of cascading waterfalls set among wooded hiking trails and observation points along the gorge. Visitors can spend a half-day or more walking the loop trails, crossing footbridges over the creek, and photographing the falls, which are particularly striking during spring snowmelt and peak autumn foliage. The attraction maintains its own Bushkill Falls site where visitors can check seasonal hours and trail conditions.

Just to the north and east lies the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, a sprawling corridor managed by the National Park Service along the Pennsylvania–New Jersey border. Within roughly a 20- to 30-minute drive of Bushkill, the recreation area offers river access for kayaking, canoeing, and tubing, miles of hiking trails including a section of the Appalachian Trail, and scenic drives through the eponymous water gap itself. The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is a year-round draw, with foliage weekends and summer river trips among the busiest periods.

A bit closer to home, Promised Land State Park surrounds Promised Land Lake in northern Pike County, about a 20-minute drive from Bushkill. The park offers swimming at a sandy beach, non-powered boating, fishing for trout and bass, and a network of hiking trails through mixed hardwood and evergreen forest. It tends to be less crowded than some of the larger Pocono reservoirs, making it appealing for families looking for a quieter day on the water. The park is operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Rounding out the area's appeal, the wider Pocono Mountains region surrounding Bushkill is dotted with ski resorts, additional state parks, antique-filled small towns, and outlet shopping villages that draw day-trippers throughout the year. The combination of forested scenery, reliable four-season recreation, and a manageable drive from major East Coast population centers makes Bushkill a natural base for short-term rental owners looking to capture vacation demand in a classic American resort region.