Short-Term Rental (STR) Investor Guide: Stroudsburg, PA (Borough, East Stroudsburg Borough, Stroud Township, Monroe County)

Note on scope: Stroudsburg, PA primarily operates within three relevant jurisdictions thatSTR operators must consider: (1) Stroudsburg Borough (the main “Stroudsburg” core), (2) East Stroudsburg Borough, and (3) Stroud Township (which surrounds/overlaps parts of the area). This guide consolidates the most current local regulations available in the provided sources.

Important: Do not attempt to fetch or visit any links provided here—use the content that has already been supplied. Contact information is included at the end.

Overview and Direct Answer: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Stroudsburg, PA?

• Stroudsburg Borough (Monroe County)
  • Allowed only in non-residential zoning districts (C‑1, C‑1A, C‑2, MU‑A, MU‑B, I‑1, O‑1). Short‑term rentals are prohibited in the Borough’s R‑1, R‑2, and R‑3 residential districts. Even where permitted, operators must obtain both a zoning permit and a separate Short‑Term Rental license.
• East Stroudsburg Borough (Monroe County)
  • Allowed subject to obtaining a Short‑Term Rental license and meeting the ordinance’s detailed standards (occupancy, parking, inspections, taxes, insurance, posting requirements, and nuisance rules).
• Stroud Township (Monroe County)
  • Allowed only within the Short‑Term Rental Overlay District (STR‑Overlay) subject to a Short‑Term Rental permit and compliance with the ordinance (including safety, parking, sewage, posting, inspections, and enforcement standards).

Summary conclusion: Yes—short‑term rentals are allowed in this market (including Stroudsburg), but only under specific jurisdictional rules, zoning approvals, and licensing/permitting pathways. “Permitted” does not mean “anywhere”; in Stroudsburg Borough, residential districts are expressly excluded; in Stroud Township, STR is limited to the overlay district. East Stroudsburg Borough provides a comprehensive licensing regime across applicable districts.

How to Start an STR in This Market: Practical Step-by-Step

1. Confirm the applicable jurisdiction and zoning for the subject property.

   • Stroudsburg Borough: Only non‑residential zoning districts (C‑1, C‑1A, C‑2, MU‑A, MU‑B, I‑1, O‑1) allow STR. R‑1/R‑2/R‑3 districts prohibit it. In mixed‑use or multi‑unit buildings, each unit requires a separate permit/license.
   • East Stroudsburg Borough: All properties must meet STR licensing standards (no zoning overlay requirement in the provided ordinance).
   • Stroud Township: Only within the STR Overlay District; confirm overlay designation on the official zoning map.

2. Select a compliant property and layout.

   • Number of bedrooms: Tie to occupancy caps and sewage capacity (especially critical in Stroud Township).
   • Parking: Confirm off‑street spaces per unit; design and surface them according to standards.
   • Sewage: Ensure on‑site systems (where applicable) are compliant and have required evaluations/pumping records.

3. Obtain required authorizations:

   • Stroudsburg Borough: Apply for (i) Short‑Term Rental zoning permit (Zoning Officer) and (ii) Short‑Term Rental Registration/License (Zoning and Codes Office) including inspection.
   • East Stroudsburg Borough: Apply for the Short‑Term Rental License (Code Enforcement Officer).
   • Stroud Township: Apply for the Short‑Term Rental permit (Zoning Officer) and complete all listed inspections (Zoning/Code, Sewage Enforcement).

4. Assemble and submit the application package.

   • Include owner/manager contacts, floor plans, site plans, insurance, tax certificates, HOA approvals (if applicable), and consent forms for inspections.
   • Pay the applicable application and permit fees.

5. Schedule and pass all required inspections.

   • Safety equipment (smoke/CO detectors, GFCI, fire extinguisher, dryers, stairs), posted notices, parking configuration, and, where applicable, sewage system verification.

6. Operational setup and compliance.

   • Post required notices in the unit (owner/manager 24‑hour contact, E‑911 address, occupancy limits, parking rules).
   • Enforce quiet hours/nuisance rules; respond to complaints promptly.
   • Maintain insurance; ensure tax compliance (Monroe County Hotel Room Excise Tax and Pennsylvania Sales/Use Tax).
   • No subleasing, RV/tent overnight occupancy, or outdoor sleeping (East Stroudsburg and Stroud Township specifically prohibit).

7. Annual renewals and inspections.

   • Renew licenses/permits annually by the jurisdiction‑specific deadline (e.g., May 1 in Stroudsburg Borough for renewal fees).
   • Keep inspections current; remediate any issues promptly.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Safety Equipment

Stroudsburg Borough (Monroe County)

• Permits/Licenses:
  • Short‑Term Rental zoning permit (Chapter 27, Zoning Ordinance).
  • Short‑Term Rental Registration/License (Ordinance #1087, 2020).
• Fees:
  • Initial Registration/License: $250 per rental unit (includes initial inspection).
  • Annual renewal: $150 per unit (due May 1 each year).
  • Additional inspections: $100 per unit, as deemed necessary.
• Penalties:
  • Up to $1,000 per day or license revocation for violations (failure to register, noncompliance, refusal of inspection, false information).
• Required Safety and Compliance Items:
  • Smoke detectors: each bedroom, outside bedrooms in common hallways, each floor.
  • GFCI outlets within six feet of water.
  • Aluminum/metal dryer exhaust.
  • Carbon monoxide detectors near open‑flame appliances and attached garages.
  • Fire extinguisher in kitchen.
  • Indoor/outdoor stairs in good condition.
  • Pools/hot tubs/spas: barrier requirements per Appendix G of the 2009 IRC.
  • Posted STR notice adjacent to the front door with required information.

Source documents:

• Registration/inspection letter and safety checklist: www.stroudsburgboro.com/sbpa/Forms/Housing/Short%20Term%20Rental%20Regulation%20Letter%202022.pdf?1748674454
• Zoning amendment and permit rules: www.stroudsburgboro.com/sbpa/_zumu_user_doc_cache/Short_Term_Rental_Zoning_Amendment.pdf

East Stroudsburg Borough (Monroe County)

• License:
  • Short‑Term Rental License (Ordinance No. 1379).
  • Separate license required for each Dwelling Unit (including multi‑unit buildings).
• Application Information:
  • Owner details (name, address, phone, email).
  • Manager designation (if owner not local) with 24‑hour contact and written authorization.
  • Floor plans (habitable space, bedrooms).
  • Multi‑unit building details.
  • Site plan (parking spaces, sewage system if not central sewer).
  • Monroe County Hotel Room Excise Tax Certificate.
  • Pennsylvania Sales and Use Tax License.
  • Deed copy; proof of no delinquent Borough water/sewer/solid waste fees.
  • Private solid waste hauler contract (no municipal service, weekly pickup; no dumpsters).
  • Certificate of Insurance (minimum $500,000 general liability).
  • Trespass waiver for inspections.
• Standards:
  • Occupancy: one “Family” per unit; day guests limited to 75% of maximum overnight occupancy.
  • Parking: 3 off‑street spaces per unit (stacked parking allowed) for single‑family zoning purposes; day visitors may park on‑street; overnight guests must use off‑street spaces.
  • Solid waste: private weekly pickup; no dumpsters; STR not included in municipal collection.
  • Posting requirements in the unit (owner/manager contact, E‑911 address, occupancy and parking limits, disturbance/parking violation notice, inspection availability).
  • No overnight occupancy of RVs, camper trailers, tents; no outdoor sleeping.
• Fees:
  • Set by Borough Council resolution (amount not provided in the sources).
• Inspections:
  • Annual inspection; property must meet the 2006 International Property Maintenance Code.
• Enforcement:
  • Violations are public nuisances.
  • Fines: $100–$1,000 per violation, plus court costs/attorney’s fees; each day constitutes a separate violation.
  • License revocation/denial of renewal after 3 violations in any rolling 12‑month period (6‑month bar for first set; 1‑year bar for subsequent sets).
  • Appeals to Property Maintenance Board of Appeals.

Source document:

• Full STR ordinance: eaststroudsburgboro.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Short-Term-Rentals-Ordinance-1379.pdf

Stroud Township (Monroe County)

• Permit:
  • Short‑Term Rental Permit (Ordinance No. 4‑2020), only in the STR Overlay District.
  • Separate permit per Dwelling Unit; maximum five (5) bedrooms unless limited by sewage capacity.
• Application Package:
  • Owner contact and local agent/manager (if applicable) with 24‑hour contact and written authorization.
  • Floor plans (bedrooms and dimensions).
  • Site plan (property lines, parking, sewage system).
  • Sewage evaluation and pump record (within 3 years; reviewed by Sewage Enforcement Officer).
  • Monroe County Hotel Room Excise Tax Certificate and PA Sales and Use Tax Permit.
  • Recorded deed; consent for inspections.
  • Insurance policy declaration page (minimum $500,000 liability for STR use).
  • HOA written approval (if applicable).
• Standards:
  • Occupancy limits:
    • 2 bedrooms → 6 occupants
    • 3 bedrooms → 8 occupants
    • 4 bedrooms → 10 occupants
    • 5 bedrooms → 12 occupants
  • Parking: off‑street only; no public right‑of‑way or lawn parking.
  • Posting requirements in the unit (owner/manager contact, E‑911 address, occupancy and parking limits, trash day, disturbance and inspection notices).
  • Prohibited: RV/tent overnight occupancy; outdoor overnight sleeping; fireworks; floating lanterns; subleasing.
  • Fire safety: smoke detectors (each bedroom, outside bedrooms, each floor); CO detectors (open‑flame/appliances and attached garage); GFCI near water; metal dryer exhaust; kitchen fire extinguisher; stairs in good condition; E‑911 address marker.
• Fees (2020 Schedule):
  • Zoning Permit Application: $50
  • First‑Year STR Permit: $500 (includes two inspections at $100 each; $100 refund if first inspection passes; includes SEO inspection if on‑site septic)
  • Each year thereafter: $400 (includes one inspection at $100; SEO inspection if on‑site septic)
  • Each additional inspection: $100
• Enforcement:
  • Violations are public nuisances.
  • Fines: $300–$1,000 per violation, plus costs/attorney’s fees; each day is a separate violation.
  • License revocation/denial of renewal after two (2) violations in a rolling 12‑month period (6‑month bar for first set; 1‑year bar for subsequent sets).
  • Appeals to Board of Supervisors.

Source documents:

• Application and fee schedule: stroudtownship.org/assets/Stroud_Short_Term_Rental_App.pdf
• STR permit ordinance: stroudtownship.org/assets/Stroud_Short_Term_Rental_App.pdf (full ordinance text included in the provided PDF)

Specific Regulations by City/County/State (Summary)

• Borough of Stroudsburg

  • Zoning: STR prohibited in R‑1, R‑2, R‑3; permitted in C‑1, C‑1A, C‑2, MU‑A, MU‑B, I‑1, O‑1 (subject to parking criteria and design standards).
  • Off‑street parking: One space per bedroom; all spaces improved to mud‑free condition; no parking directly off Borough/State roads unless via driveway; spaces count toward lot coverage.
  • Licensing: Annual STR registration/license required; initial fee $250; renewals $150; additional inspections $100; fines up to $1,000 per day or revocation.
  • Safety: Comprehensive smoke/CO, GFCI, dryer, fire extinguisher, stairs, and pool barrier standards.

• East Stroudsburg Borough

  • Licensing: Required; separate license per unit; annual inspection against 2006 International Property Maintenance Code.
  • Occupancy: One “Family” per unit; day guests ≤ 75% of overnight max.
  • Parking: 3 spaces per unit (stacked allowed); overnight guests must park off‑street.
  • Waste: Private weekly pickup; no municipal service; no dumpsters.
  • Taxes: Monroe County Hotel Room Excise Tax Certificate and PA Sales/Use Tax License required.
  • Insurance: $500,000 minimum general liability.
  • Posting: Required in‑unit notice with owner/manager contact, E‑911 address, occupancy/parking rules, and inspection availability.
  • Enforcement: $100–$1,000 fines; license revocation/denial after 3 violations in a 12‑month period.

• Stroud Township

  • Zoning: STR Overlay District—only permitted where overlay applies; prohibited in specified overlay areas (Enterprise Park, flood zones, scenic trail, etc.).
  • Permitting: Required per unit; annual; inspections by Zoning/Code and SEO (for septic systems).
  • Occupancy: Capped by bedroom count; max five bedrooms unless sewage capacity is less.
  • Parking: Off‑street only; no parking on public right‑of‑way or lawns.
  • Taxes: Monroe County Hotel Room Excise Tax Certificate and PA Sales/Use Tax License required.
  • Insurance: $500,000 minimum liability.
  • Posting: Required in‑unit notice with rules and inspection statements.
  • Enforcement: $300–$1,000 fines; revocation/denial after 2 violations in a 12‑month period.

• Monroe County

  • Hotel Room Excise Tax Certificate required (per East Stroudsburg and Stroud Township ordinance).

• Pennsylvania (State Level)

  • Sales/Use Tax: Short‑term rentals of 30 days or less are subject to Pennsylvania Sales Tax (6%). Operators typically need a Pennsylvania Sales and Use Tax License. Registration is performed online via the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (login portal).
  • Local taxes may also apply (e.g., hotel/room excise taxes) and must be collected/remitted in accordance with local rules.

Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs)

• Borough of Stroudsburg

  • Jennifer Walker, Zoning and Codes Officer
  • Email: JWalker@StroudsburgBoro.com
  • Phone: 570‑421‑5444 ext. 110
  • Address: Municipal Building, 700 Sarah Street, Stroudsburg, PA 18360
  • Website: www.stroudsburgboro.com/
  • Refer to the STR registration/regulation letter for forms and process (see Sources).

• Borough of East Stroudsburg

  • Code Enforcement Officer (per STR Ordinance No. 1379)
  • Address: East Stroudsburg Borough Offices (refer to Borough website or contact Borough Hall for Code Enforcement contact details)
  • Website: eaststroudsburgboro.org/
  • Apply under Ordinance No. 1379 and use Borough‑