New Airbnb Laws in Pennsylvania—Regulations to Keep in Mind When Renting in the Keystone State

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

New Airbnb Laws Require STR Registration 

New Airbnb Laws now require property owners in Bethlehem to register their homes with the local government before they’re eligible to list them on booking platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo. Under the new law, hosts are also required to undergo an annual home inspection and keep detailed records of rental periods.

The ordinance includes limitations on rental durations (not more than 30 days) as well as the number of dwelling units that can be rented out (no more than 2 bedrooms).

Chesnut Township, Pennsylvania

New Laws and Regulations for Short-term Rentals

Chestnut Township has implemented laws and regulations for Short-term Rentals (STRs) to keep the peace in the community. The permitting process includes zoning fees, permitting and more. To stay up to date with current information, please view their websiteand view Ordinance No. 2019-02 for the extensive list of regulations. 

The current regulations are in place: 

• Zoning: STRs are only permitted within the General Commercial (GC) zoning district. There are also fees involved which are due at the time of the STR application. 
• STR License: Must obtain a STR license. 
• Conditional Use Permit: Hosts must apply for a conditional use permit. 
• Parking: Adequate off-street parking must be available. 
• PA Uniform Construction Code: All rentals must comply with PA Uniform Construction Code requirements. 
• Point of Contact: Must provide a name, address and 24-hour phone number to be contacted in case of emergency. 

Coolbaugh Township, Pennsylvania

  An Ordinance Has Been Adopted

In the county of Monroe, the Coolbaugh Township has adopted an ordinance for short-term rentals. Existing STRs are grandfathered in but must obtain a permit issued by the city to continue to operate.  

The Township of Coolbaugh outlines their short-term rental requirements, including zoning information, fee information, and more. Apply for a permit or find more information on the ordinance by visiting the Coolbaugh Township website.

The new ordinance requires:  

• Permit: Must obtain a permit from the county. All short-term rental licenses must be renewed annually and must be inspected at the time of renewal before the license is issued. 
• Guest limit: Maximum occupancy is limited to two people per bedroom plus two additional people. For example, a three-bedroom would have a maximum occupancy of eight people.  
• Parking: The host must provide one off-street parking space per bedroom, up to six spaces. Parking cannot be on grass.  
• Trash: Must be disposed of properly in appropriate receptacles and cannot be left out on the exterior of the property except from 6 p.m. the day before trash pickup to 6 p.m. the day of trash pickup. 
• Emergency Contacts: An emergency list must be available and viewable from the outside.
• STR Cap: Only a certain number of STRs will be given permits per zoning district.  
• Gatherings: No parties, events, weddings, or outdoor gatherings for more than the maximum number of guests allowed at the property.  
• Fines: Any violations that may occur, such as disturbing the neighbors or lacking a permit, could be fined. 
• Insurance: Must have specialized STR insurance and hold $500,000 in general liability. Proper Insurance leads the nation is short-term rental insurance, built to replace inadequate Homeowners (HO) and Dwelling/Landlord (DP) policies completely.

East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania

Requires Permits and Regulations to Be Followed

In the county of Monroe, the town of East Stroudsburg has decided to implement a permit that is required for hosts to operate a short-term rental (STR). Violations could cost up to $1,000 and may result in getting their permit revoked. As ordinances can change and be very detailed, it is important to view The Short-Term Rentals Ordinance 1379 and stay up to date. 

The following regulations are in place: 

• Zoning: Must follow zoning regulations. 
• License: Must obtain a license for each STR property. 
• Noise: Must keep noise to a minimum to keep the peace of the neighborhood. 
• Inspections: Subject to annual inspections by the Code Enforcement Officer and the Rental Housing Inspector. 
• Insurance: Owner must provide proof of insurance showing that they have $500,000 in general liability.   
• To obtain a STR permit, you must provide the following:  
  • Proof of ownership 
  • Building type 
  • Copy of tax certificate 
  • Floor plan 
  • Parking plan 
  • Point of contact who can be reached 24/7 
  • Solid waste strategy 

Paupack Township, Pennsylvania

Strict Application Process to Operate a STR

Paupack Township has decided to implement an ordinance called the Model Lake Region Ordinance. Occupants and hosts may be fined if any violations occur. Hosts may also be subject to criminal prosecution and the revocation of their licenses.  

The following and more are required to obtain and keep a permit: 

• Floor Plan: Must provide a sketch of the habitable floor space, bedrooms and show the maximum number of guests allowed to sleep in each bedroom. 
• Site Plan: A diagram of the property showing all structures, buildings, roads, driveways, bodies of water, and parking spaces as well as the septic system. 
• Taxes: Must provide proof of sales tax paid. 
• Safety: Smoke detectors in designated areas, GFI outlet if located within six feet of a water source, metal exhaust from the dryer, carbon monoxide if there is an open flame or attached garage, fire extinguisher in the kitchen, stairs in good condition, covers on all outlets, and anything else that may be added. 
• Noise: Keep noise to a minimum. 
• Trash: Keep trash maintained in appropriate bins. 
• Insurance: Copy of insurance declaration page showing that Paupack Township is additionally insured with $1 million/ $3 million in liability. 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Airbnb Laws in The City of Brotherly Love—Everything You Need to Know About Short-Term Rentals  

The city of Philadelphia has enacted additional Airbnb Laws in recent years. Many of these regulations relate to the safety of guests, with specific requirements for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms being located in bedrooms and hallways. Others, like the limitation of the number of guests to 3 non-related, non-family persons, seek to curb so-called “party houses” and keep the impact on neighborhoods negligible.  

Hosts must also provide information to guests, which includes:  

• Hours: Renters are only allowed to have guests between the hours of 8 a.m. and midnight. 
• Disposal Rules: You must tell renters the trash and recycling collection days and any trash disposal rules and regulations. You must provide proper trash containers for renters. 
• Noise: Excessive noise is prohibited, and violators are subject to fines and penalties. 
• Point of Contact: The owner or their designee must provide contact information to the renters. The contact person must handle any complaints from the renters. 

Township of Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania

Requires Permits and Regulations to Be Followed

In the county of Monroe, instead of banning short-term rentals (STR’s) the Township of Tobyhanna has decided to implement additional regulations which include a lengthy permitting process. To view the full guidelines, visit code 6-28-2022 by Ord. No. 569. For updates from the Township of Tobyhanna View updates from the Township of Tobyhanna. 

To obtain the permit, the following must be done/provided:

• Inspection: The property but be inspected and comply with safety, building and zoning codes.  
• Point of Contact: The host must designate a person who can be reached for emergencies 24/7. 
• Floor Plan: Identify on each floor where the rooms are located and label pools as either in-ground or above-ground.
• Parking: Aerial photo explaining on-site parking. 
• Taxes: Compliant with Monroe County hotel room taxes. 
• Insurance: Must have specialized STR insurance and hold $500,000 in general liability. The Proper Insurance policy meets and exceeds these requirements with the most comprehensive policy on the market for short-term rental owners. The Proper policy completely replaces a Homeowners or Landlord policy with a unique Commercial Homeowners policy that protects hosts property, general liability and revenue customized to address risks of short-term renting with coverage for bed bugs/fleas, squatters, and guest theft/damage.
• In addition, the home needs to obtain the following:  
  • Working smoke detectors throughout the house 
  • GFI outlets if closer than six feet to a water source 
  • Carbon monoxide detector if the home has an open flame from a stove, fire, or other 
  • Carbon monoxide detector if the home has an attached garage 
  • Fire extinguisher in the kitchen 
  • Stairs must be in good condition 
  • All windows must work 
  • Fireplaces need to be cleaned every two years