This guide covers East Stroudsburg Borough only. Neighboring markets often confused with East Stroudsburg include:
- Stroudsburg: Separate borough with its own STR rules, often more restrictive in residential zones.
- Stroud Township: Distinct township adjacent to both boroughs, with its own STR licensing and zoning.
- Smithfield Township: Separate township east of East Stroudsburg, with different STR requirements and enforcement.
Legality Verdict
Short-term rentals are legal in East Stroudsburg Borough with a required borough license, but are restricted to commercial and industrial zones unless a variance is granted. The total lodging tax is 9%. Enforcement is ordinance-driven, with fines up to $1,000 per violation.
- Legality Status: 2/5
- License Availability: 4/5
- Compliance Cost (% revenue): 4/5
- Regulatory Stability: 3/5
- Enforcement Climate: 4/5
TL;DR
East Stroudsburg defines STRs as residential units rented for 1–30 days and requires a borough-issued license. Total lodging tax is 9% (6% state, 3% county). STRs are only permitted in commercial/industrial zones unless a variance is obtained. The main investor risk is zoning: residential properties need a variance, and operating without a license can result in fines up to $1,000 and permit revocation. The biggest gotcha: STRs are not allowed by right in most residential areas.
Quick Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| STR Definition | Rental of a residential dwelling for 1–30 days Borough of East Stroudsburg Short-Term Rentals Ordinance 1379 |
| Registration Required | Yes Borough of East Stroudsburg Short-Term Rentals Ordinance 1379 |
| Permit Cost | [needs verification — no primary source found] |
| Annual Renewal | [needs verification — no primary source found] |
| Permitted Zones | Commercial and Industrial districts; residential zones require a variance PoconoVacationHomeSales STR Municipal Scorecard |
| Prohibited Zones | Residential (unless variance granted) PoconoVacationHomeSales STR Municipal Scorecard |
| License Cap | Not codified — no cap identified in sources reviewed Borough of East Stroudsburg Short-Term Rentals Ordinance 1379 |
| Transferable Permit | [needs verification — no primary source found] |
| State Hotel Occupancy Tax | 6% Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Revenue |
| County Hotel Excise Tax | 3% Locust Lake Village Property Owners Association |
| Local Accommodations Tax | Not codified — no separate borough tax East Stroudsburg Borough Official Website |
| Total Effective Lodging Tax | 9% (6% state + 3% county) Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Revenue |
| Minimum Night Stay | Not codified — no minimum in borough ordinance Short-Term Rentals Ordinance No. 1379, East Stroudsburg Borough |
| Occupancy Cap | Not codified — see family definition (up to 4 unrelated individuals) Short-Term Rentals Ordinance No. 1379, East Stroudsburg Borough |
| Parking Requirement | Not codified — no separate STR parking rule Short-Term Rentals Ordinance No. 1379, East Stroudsburg Borough |
| Local Contact Requirement | Yes, if owner is not local, a manager within 20 miles is required Short-Term Rentals Ordinance No. 1379, East Stroudsburg Borough |
| Inspection Requirement | Yes, regular inspections required Short-Term Rentals Ordinance No. 1379, East Stroudsburg Borough |
| HOA/Condo Override | Not codified — no separate borough rule Short-Term Rentals Ordinance No. 1379, East Stroudsburg Borough |
| Enforcement Penalties | Up to $1,000 fine and permit revocation Proper Insurance |
| Primary Regulator | Borough of East Stroudsburg Code Enforcement Officer Borough of East Stroudsburg Short-Term Rentals Ordinance 1379 |
| Last Updated | June 11, 2026 |
Regulatory Impact Snapshot
Underwriters should model compliance costs at 4.0% of gross revenue, with median East Stroudsburg, PA STRs earning $50,671 at an average daily rate of $351 and 39% occupancy.
The binding constraint is zoning: STRs are only permitted by right in commercial and industrial districts, with residential properties requiring a variance. The 9% lodging tax is collected by both state and county, and hosts must register with both authorities. Permit and renewal fees are not published and should be confirmed with the borough. Run this market in our Airbnb Calculator →
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Frequently Asked Questions
Basics
What is considered a short-term rental in East Stroudsburg?
A short-term rental is any residential dwelling unit rented for overnight lodging for 1–30 days Borough of East Stroudsburg Short-Term Rentals Ordinance 1379.
Are STRs legal in East Stroudsburg Borough?
Yes, but only with a borough-issued license and only in commercial/industrial zones unless a variance is granted PoconoVacationHomeSales STR Municipal Scorecard.
Do these rules apply to Stroudsburg or Smithfield Township?
No, each municipality has its own STR rules Borough of East Stroudsburg Ordinance No. 1379.
Licensing
Is a permit required to operate an STR?
Yes, a Short-Term Rental License from the borough is required Borough of East Stroudsburg Short-Term Rentals Ordinance 1379.
How do I apply for a license?
Applications are submitted to the Borough of East Stroudsburg; forms are available online East Stroudsburg Borough Forms and Applications.
What is the permit fee?
[needs verification — no primary source found]
Are permits transferable?
[needs verification — no primary source found]
Taxes
What taxes apply to STRs in East Stroudsburg?
A 6% Pennsylvania state hotel occupancy tax and a 3% Monroe County hotel excise tax apply, totaling 9% Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Revenue.
Does the borough charge an additional STR tax?
No, there is no separate borough accommodations tax East Stroudsburg Borough Official Website.
Do I need to register with the county and state?
Yes, hosts must register each property with both the Monroe County Treasurer and the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue Locust Lake Village Property Owners Association.
Does Airbnb collect and remit taxes?
Airbnb collects and remits both the 6% state and 3% county taxes, but hosts must still register and file forms Locust Lake Village Property Owners Association.
Operations
Are STRs allowed in residential zones?
No, unless a variance is granted; by right, STRs are only allowed in commercial and industrial zones PoconoVacationHomeSales STR Municipal Scorecard.
Is there a minimum night stay?
No minimum night stay is codified in borough ordinances Short-Term Rentals Ordinance No. 1379, East Stroudsburg Borough.
Is a local contact required?
Yes, if the owner is not local, a manager within 20 miles must be designated Short-Term Rentals Ordinance No. 1379, East Stroudsburg Borough.
Are inspections required?
Yes, regular inspections are required for STR properties Short-Term Rentals Ordinance No. 1379, East Stroudsburg Borough.
Enforcement
What are the penalties for operating without a permit?
Violations can result in fines up to $1,000 and permit revocation Proper Insurance.
How is enforcement handled?
Enforcement is ordinance-driven by the borough Code Enforcement Officer; no platform monitoring is codified Short-Term Rentals Ordinance No. 1379, East Stroudsburg Borough.
Are there pending state laws affecting STRs?
Yes, Pennsylvania H.B. 2303 would create a statewide STR registry but does not preempt local rules StaySTRA.com.
Where can I find the latest enforcement procedures?
[needs verification — no primary source found]
Permit Process
East Stroudsburg Borough requires all STR operators to obtain a Short-Term Rental License from the Code Enforcement Officer. The application form is available on the borough’s website. If the owner is not a local resident or does not have a primary work address within 20 miles, a local manager must be designated. Regular inspections are required to maintain compliance with borough standards. Operating without a license is a violation and may result in fines or permit revocation.
Zoning
STRs are only permitted by right in commercial and industrial zoning districts. Residential properties may only be used as STRs if a variance is granted by the borough. The ordinance applies to all residential dwelling units and conversions of nonresidential structures. There are no codified density limits or parking requirements specific to STRs, but general zoning and occupancy rules apply. The definition of “family” for occupancy is up to four unrelated individuals per unit.
Taxes and Remittance
Short-term rentals in East Stroudsburg are subject to a 6% Pennsylvania state hotel occupancy tax and a 3% Monroe County hotel excise tax, totaling 9%. The borough does not levy an additional accommodations tax. Hosts must register each property with both the Monroe County Treasurer and the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. Airbnb collects and remits both taxes, but hosts must still file required forms. For non-Airbnb bookings, hosts must collect and remit both taxes directly.
Enforcement and Recent Actions
The borough’s Code Enforcement Officer is responsible for enforcing STR regulations, including conducting inspections and issuing penalties. Violations, such as operating without a license or disturbing neighbors, can result in fines up to $1,000 and permit revocation. There is no evidence of active platform monitoring or recent crackdowns, but enforcement is ordinance-driven and complaint-based. The borough does not separately codify a fine schedule; pending state legislation may affect future penalties.
Recent Changes and Pending Legislation
As of June 2026, Pennsylvania H.B. 2303 is pending and would create a statewide STR registry and cap penalties at $2,000 per violation. The bill does not preempt local authority, so East Stroudsburg retains full power to zone, restrict, or prohibit STRs. The borough’s current enforcement posture is considered “yellow,” indicating significant restrictions and the possibility of further regulation. Investors should monitor for updates as the regulatory landscape may change.
Comparable Markets
- Stroudsburg, PA: Consider if you want a walkable borough with stricter residential STR limits.
- Smithfield Township, PA: Consider if you seek more rural STR opportunities with different enforcement.
- Stroud Township, PA: Consider for a mix of residential and vacation zoning, but check for separate permit rules.
Sources
- Borough of East Stroudsburg Short-Term Rentals Ordinance 1379: https://eaststroudsburgboro.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Short-Term-Rentals-Ordinance-1379.pdf
- East Stroudsburg Borough Official Website: https://eaststroudsburgboro.org/2025-budget/
- East Stroudsburg Borough Forms and Applications: https://eaststroudsburgboro.org/zoning-and-codes__trashed/forms-and-applications/
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Revenue: https://www.pa.gov/agencies/revenue/resources/tax-types-and-information/sales-use-and-hotel-occupancy-tax/home-sharing
- Locust Lake Village Property Owners Association: https://locustlakevillage.org/str/str-tax-compliance-guidelines/
- PoconoVacationHomeSales STR Municipal Scorecard: https://poconovacationhomesales.com/2022/03/01/str-scorecard-municipal-rules-on-short-term-rentals-in-the-poconos/
- Proper Insurance – Pennsylvania’s Current Laws & Regulations for Airbnb Hosts: https://www.proper.insure/regulations/pennsylvania-airbnb-laws/
- StaySTRA.com – Pennsylvania Is Writing the Nation’s First Statewide STR Framework. Here Is What H.B. 2303 Actually Does.: https://staystra.com/pennsylvania-short-term-rental-law-2026-hb2303/
- East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania Zoning Map | United States Zoning Data: https://www.zoneomics.com/zoning-maps/pennsylvania/east-stroudsburg
This page is research, not legal advice. Consult local counsel before acquiring or operating a short-term rental in Borough of East Stroudsburg, Monroe County, Pennsylvania.
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