STR Rental Guide for The Poconos

Complete 2025 Guide to Short-Term Rentals in the Poconos
Where Airbnbs are Allowed, Restricted, or Prohibited

If you’re exploring the idea of purchasing a vacation or investment property in the Pocono Mountains, it’s crucial to know which communities and townships permit short-term rentals (STRs)—and under what conditions. Rules differ widely between HOAs, municipal zoning districts, and even subdivisions within the same development. Doing thorough research upfront will save you headaches later.

The list below outlines current STR regulations across the Poconos as of June 2025, organized by where rentals are allowed, restricted, or not permitted.

✅ Communities That Allow Short-Term Rentals

These areas generally support STRs and have a structured process for obtaining permits or HOA approvals. Expect registration fees, occupancy limitations, and community conduct rules.

• Arrowhead Lake

• Bear Creek Lakes

• Big Bass Lake (Clifton Township section only)

• Big Boulder / Jack Frost

• Blue Mountain Lake Estates

• Brier Crest Woods

• Brier Hill North

• Camelot Forest

• Castle Rock Acres

• Eagle Lake

• Emerald Lakes (excluding the portion located in Pocono Township)

• The Escape

• Evergreen Estates (Middle Smithfield Township)

• Greenwood Acres

• Harmony Ridge

• Henryville Acres

• Indian Mountain Lake (Penn Forest & Tunkhannock Townships)

• Lake Harmony Estates

• Locust Lake Village

• Northridge at Camelback

• Northslope 2 at Shawnee

• Penn Estates (Stroud Township only)

• Penn Lake Park (owner must occupy)

• Pinecrest Lake & Country Club

• Pocono Country Place

• Pocono Farms & Pocono Farms East

• Pocono Forested Acres

• Pocono Outpost

• Riverside Estates

• Rock Ledge Manor Estates

• Saw Creek Estates (Middle Smithfield portion)

• Snow Ridge Village

• Split Rock

• Stillwater Estates

• Stillwater Lakes Civic Association

• Tunkhannock Trails

• Village at Camelback

• White Haven Poconos

⚠️ STR Permitted With Restrictions

These communities allow short-term rentals but only under specific limitations—such as ownership time requirements, limited rental periods per year, caps on licenses, or grandfathered permits.

• Big Bass Lake (Lehigh and Covington Township portions)

• Buck Hill Falls (minimum stay requirement: 30 days)

• Eagle Rock Resort (rentals only through designated management)

• Glen at Tamiment (restricted to grandfathered STRs)

• High Country Estates

• Indian Rocks (limited STR licenses; higher fees)

• Kahkout Mountain

• Lake Naomi / Timber Trails (limits on rental frequency per year)

• Lakeview Estates (two-week minimum stays; registration required)

• Monroe Lakes (30-day minimum)

• Pocono Ranch Lands (Lehman Township currently not issuing new licenses)

• Reserve at Pond Creek

• The Hideout (STR allowed following recent legal clarification)

• Tink Wig Mountain Lake Forest (verify current rules with HOA)

• Top of the Mountain Estates (Coolbaugh HOA prohibits STRs)

• Wallenpaupack Lake Estates (ownership waiting period, typically two years)

• Winona Lakes (allowed in Middle Smithfield; prohibited in Lehman)

• Woodland Springs

• Rainbow Run

❌ STR Prohibited

These developments do not allow short-term rentals due to HOA deed restrictions or township zoning that excludes transient lodging.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Barton Glen

• Beltzville Lake Estates

• Birches III / Birches West

• Birchwood Lakes

• Cobbs Lake Preserve

• Conashaugh Lakes

• Country Club of the Poconos

• Estates at Great Bear

• Fawn Lake Forest

• Gold Key Lake Estates

• Hemlock Farms

• Holiday Pocono

• Kingswood Lake Estates

• Lake Adventure

• Lake in the Clouds

• Pocono Springs Estates

• Penn Forest Streams

• Pine Ridge

• Robin Hood Lakes

• Shawnee Estates

• Sunrise Lake

• Tanglwood Lakes / Tanglwood North

• Thornhurst Country Club Estates

• Whispering Glen

• Woodloch Springs

• The Woodlands at Cranberry
  …and many more.

Note: Some communities span more than one municipality. The rules may change depending on which township your specific property sits in.

Important Legal Context

Pennsylvania municipalities have the legal authority to regulate or prohibit short-term rentals through zoning ordinances. This was affirmed by the 2019 PA Supreme Court ruling in Slice of Life, LLC v. Hamilton Township Zoning Hearing Board, which confirmed that local governments may restrict STR use in residential districts.

Before You Purchase

Always verify:

1. Township zoning ordinance

2. HOA or community bylaws

3. Occupancy limits, permitting requirements, and enforcement practices

Because regulations can change, get written confirmation from both the municipality and the HOA before closing on any property intended for STR use.

Looking for STR-Approved Investment Properties?

Our team specializes in identifying communities where STRs are currently permitted—and have long-term viability.
We’ll guide you through compliance, permitting, and cash flow projections.

Contact us to begin your STR search in the Poconos.