Local Airbnb rules2026 19 sources cited
Is Airbnb Legal in Coolbaugh Township? 2026 Rules
Short-term rentals are legal in Coolbaugh Township, Pennsylvania with an annual township license ($200 first year, $150 to renew) in five zoning districts; guests pay 9% hotel tax (6% state, 3% Monroe County), collected by Airbnb.1,8,9,17
From 17 official sources, 1 Airbnb help page and 1 news report, checked October 17, 2026. Not legal advice.
The short answer
Coolbaugh Township Airbnb Rules in Brief
- License required before renting: $200 the first year and $150 to renew, with an inspection every year.
- Allowed only in the R-1, R-2, R-3, W-C and C-3 zoning districts; no cap on nights, but at most two overnight guests per bedroom plus four, and never more than 14.
- $500,000 of liability insurance, a Monroe County hotel tax certificate and a working septic system (no holding tank) are required.
- Fines up to $1,000 per day, and three convictions in 12 months revoke the license for a year. Hotel tax is 9%.
Browse the live Coolbaugh Township Airbnb market See Every Coolbaugh Township ListingRevenue, occupancy and nightly rates are in the Coolbaugh Township Airbnb market report .
At a glance
Coolbaugh Township Airbnb Rules at a Glance
- License required
- Yes
- Taxes on a stay
- 9%
- Fine for hosting without a permit
- Up to $1,000
- Listings showing a permit number
- 0%
- Latest rule change
- Jul 21, 2026
Listing figures: AirROI, 12 months to October 2026. A number on a listing doesn't prove the permit or license is valid, and a missing one doesn't prove there is none.
The rules in brief
The rules a Coolbaugh Township host meets first, each linked to the ordinance, statute or official page it comes from. Details and exceptions follow below.
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Permit | Township license required before renting1,8 |
| Who can host | License goes to the owner of record1,9 |
| Where | Five zoning districts only1,2 |
| Building rules | Community covenants still apply1 |
| Minimum stay | Stays under 30 nights are short-term rentals1 |
| Guests | Two guests per bedroom plus four, never over 141 |
| Listing display | Listings must state the permitted occupancy1 |
| Safety | Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, extinguisher1,9 |
| Insurance | $500,000 liability insurance1,9 |
| Neighbors | 24-hour contact person within two hours1 |
Your home
Can You Host an Airbnb in Coolbaugh Township? It Depends on the Home
Whether you can host in Coolbaugh Township turns on whose home it is and whether you live there.
A second home or investment property you don't live in
Allowed with conditionsAllowed on the same terms: the chapter covers seasonal and vacation homes and has no residency rule. The owner of record applies, an LLC files papers showing its tie to the owner, and a 24-hour contact person must be able to reach the home within two hours.1,9
A room in your home with you present
Allowed with conditionsStill covered, because the chapter defines a short-term rental as a dwelling rented in whole or in part. The license, inspection, insurance and tax rules apply; only a hotel, motel or bed-and-breakfast with the owner or a representative on site around the clock sits outside the chapter.1
A home in an HOA or planned community
Allowed with conditionsThe township license does not override community declarations or covenants, so a community that bans rentals still bars the home even with a township license.1
Permit
Do You Need a Permit for Airbnb in Coolbaugh Township?
Yes. Short-term rental hosts in Coolbaugh Township need the Coolbaugh Township short-term rental license from Coolbaugh Township (Codes and Zoning office), under Chapter 324 of the township code. It costs $200 in the first year (A one-home host pays $200 for the first-year license and $150 a year to renew, plus $40 for any re-inspection. The septic pumper evaluation and the liability insurance policy are separate costs.) and $150 a year to renew and must be renewed every year.1,8,9,17
- Who needs it
- The owner of any dwelling rented, in whole or in part, for fewer than 30 consecutive days. Two-family and multifamily buildings need a separate license for each unit rented.1,8,9,17
- Issued by
- Coolbaugh Township (Codes and Zoning office), under Chapter 324 of the township code
- Valid for
- One year; the license must be renewed every year after an inspection, is personal to the owner and does not pass to a new owner when the property is sold.
- Processing
- The township has 30 days to process an application and issue the license, and contacts the applicant within 30 days to schedule the inspection.
- On listings
- No number needed on listings
- Platform checks
- Chapter 324 puts its duties on the owner and sets no platform verification or listing-number rule; the license is posted inside the home. A listing that advertises more guests than the license allows can be used as evidence of a violation.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial license applicationPaid with the first application; fees are non-refundable. | $200 |
| Annual renewalDue each year; the license becomes void if the fee is not paid within 60 days of expiry. | $150 |
| Re-inspectionCharged when deficiencies found at an annual or renewal inspection need a second visit. | $40 |
Who qualifies
- The home must be in the R-1, R-2, R-3, W-C or C-3 zoning district
- The license is issued only to the owner of record; an LLC applicant must file papers showing its tie to the owner of record
- A current Monroe County Hotel Room Excise Tax Certificate and a $500,000 liability insurance policy that covers short-term rental
- A septic system that is not a holding tank, with a pumper or hauler inspection within three months before applying
- No unresolved violation of any township code or ordinance at the property
How to apply
- Check the township zoning map to confirm the property is in the R-1, R-2, R-3, W-C or C-3 district, and ask the community association whether it allows rentals if the home is in a planned community.
- Register with the Monroe County Treasurer for a Hotel Room Rental Excise Tax certificate; the township requires it before the application.
- Get the declaration page of a paid-up liability policy of at least $500,000 that names short-term rental, and a septic pumper or hauler evaluation dated within three months.
- Apply in the township's online permit portal and pay $200 for a new license or $150 to renew, naming a contact person who can reach the home within two hours.
- Pass the on-site inspection, which the township schedules within 30 days, then post the license, the hotel tax certificate and the information notice inside the front door.
Applications go through the official application page .
Permit rules
- Township license required before renting
- A Coolbaugh Township short-term rental license is required before any dwelling is rented for a stay under 30 consecutive days. Operating without one is a violation of Chapter 324.1,8
- Monroe County hotel tax certificate first
- A current Monroe County Hotel Room Excise Tax Certificate must be obtained from the County Treasurer before the township application, and a copy goes with it.1,9,11
- Listings must state the permitted occupancy
- Advertisements must give the correct permitted number of guests. A listing that exceeds the limit counts as evidence of a violation, and the owner supplies copies of all advertisements at application and renewal.1
- Federal rule: advertise the total price
- Since May 12, 2025 a federal rule requires a business that advertises short-term lodging prices to show the total price upfront, including mandatory fees such as a cleaning fee.14 In force since May 12, 2025
- License does not transfer with the property
- The license belongs to the owner named in the application. A buyer, heir or new owner of the property must apply for a new license before renting.1,8
- Renewal lapses after 60 days
- A license whose renewal fee is unpaid 60 days after expiry becomes void, and the owner must file a new application as a new license rather than a renewal.1
Who can host
Who Can Host an Airbnb in Coolbaugh Township, and Where
Pennsylvania state law applies on top of Coolbaugh Township's own rules: the Pennsylvania short-term rental regulations page covers the state license and what cities and counties can and can't regulate.
- Five zoning districts only
- Short-term rentals are allowed only in the R-1 Rural Residential, R-2 Low-Density Residential, R-3 Medium-Density Residential, W-C Woodland Conservation and C-3 Commercial Village districts. The township's other districts (State Preservation, C-1 Convenience Commercial, C-2 Office Park, Industrial and Industrial Airport) are excluded.1,2
- License goes to the owner of record
- The license is issued only to the owner, and the owner of record at the Monroe County Assessment Office must be the applicant. An LLC applicant must file documents such as its operating agreement to show its tie to the owner of record. The owner answers for any breach by guests, agents or the contact person.1,9
- The owner does not have to live there
- Chapter 324 covers single-family, two-family and multifamily dwellings whether they are permanent residences or seasonal and vacation homes, so a second home can be licensed.1
- Community covenants still apply
- The township license does not excuse an owner from the declarations or covenants of a planned community, so a community association can bar rentals the township allows.1
Operating rules
Operating Rules for Coolbaugh Township Short-Term Rentals
- Stays under 30 nights are short-term rentals
- Any rental of a dwelling for fewer than 30 consecutive days counts as a short-term rental under Chapter 324. The chapter sets no limit on the number of nights rented in a year.1
- Two guests per bedroom plus four, never over 14
- Overnight occupancy is capped at two persons per bedroom plus four, and never more than 14 per home; children under two do not count. The owner must put the limit in a written agreement and state it correctly in every advertisement.1
- Day guests capped at 75% of overnight limit
- No more than 75% of the maximum overnight occupancy may be on the property at one time as day guests.1
- Bedrooms limited to the septic approval
- The number of bedrooms rented cannot exceed the number on the home's sewage permit or approved at the township's septic inspection. A bedroom must be at least 70 square feet, and the home needs one more habitable room of at least 120 square feet.1
- No sewage holding tanks; septic inspected each year
- A home that uses a sewage holding tank cannot be licensed. The township inspects the septic system at every application and renewal, and the application needs a pumper or hauler inspection from the three months before it.1,9
- One parking space per bedroom, on the property
- Each bedroom needs at least one improved off-street parking space of nine by 18 feet on the owner's property; guests may not park in private, community or public rights-of-way. The license lists the maximum number of vehicles.1
- $500,000 liability insurance
- The application must include the declaration page of a paid-up policy of at least $500,000 in liability coverage that covers short-term rental for the full license term; the page must say rental or short-term rental.1,9
- Inspection before every license
- The township inspects the home before it issues a license and again at each annual renewal. A $40 fee applies to any re-inspection needed after deficiencies.1,8
- Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, extinguisher
- The inspection checks for a smoke detector in each sleeping room and on each level, a carbon monoxide detector on each level, and a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and beside any fireplace or wood stove. The home also needs its 911 address sign.1,9
- 24-hour contact person within two hours
- Every home needs a contact person (the owner may serve) reachable by phone around the clock, able to be at the home within two hours, and ready to answer the township within one hour of a violation notice.1
- Noise, lighting, fires and camping
- Owners must use best efforts to prevent unreasonable noise and disorderly conduct, shield exterior lights from neighbors, and ensure open fires are out by midnight. Recreational vehicles and tents may not be used for overnight stays, except that children under 13 may camp out in a tent.1
- License and notice posted inside the home
- The owner must post the license, the hotel tax certificate and the chapter's operating conditions inside the home, plus a notice by the front door with the contact person, maximum overnight and day guests, parking rules and trash day.1,9
- Stays over 30 days: register the tenant
- Rentals longer than 30 days fall outside Chapter 324 but under the township's tenant registration rule: the owner gives the township the tenant's name, address and other occupants within 10 days of the lease or move-in.3
Taxes
How Much Are Airbnb Taxes in Coolbaugh Township?
About 9% on the nightly price and cleaning fee: 6% Pennsylvania hotel occupancy tax plus 3% Monroe County room rental excise tax, on stays of 29 nights or fewer.
9% in all
How the 9% on a Coolbaugh Township stay splits between the taxes in the table below
- Pennsylvania hotel occupancy tax 6%
- Monroe County hotel room rental excise tax 3%
- Median nightly rate, booked nights
- $335
- Taxes on that night (9%)
- $30
- Guest pays, before Airbnb and cleaning fees
- $365
| Tax | Rate | Collected by |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania hotel occupancy tax 6% of the listing price, including the cleaning fee and guest fee, on stays of 29 nights or fewer | 6%5,18 | Airbnb |
| Monroe County hotel room rental excise tax 3% on each rental of a room for fewer than 30 days | 3%4,10,18 | Airbnb |
At Coolbaugh Township's median booked rate of $335 a night, the taxes collected on a booking come to about $30 a night.
Rates for every Pennsylvania county, with which ones Airbnb collects, are on the Pennsylvania short-term rental regulations page.
What the host still handles
- A Monroe County Hotel Room Rental Excise Tax certificate from the County Treasurer, required before the township license application
- A Pennsylvania Sales, Use, and Hotel Occupancy Tax license through myPATH, only for bookings made outside a platform that collects and remits the tax
- Quarterly Monroe County return, due by the 25th day of the month after each calendar quarter, for any county tax the host collects directly4,5,6,10,11,18
Fines
How to Avoid Airbnb Fines in Coolbaugh Township
Fines in Coolbaugh Township fall on hosting without the approvals described above, or outside the rules. With them in hand and the rules followed, none of the fines below apply.
- Fine of up to $1,000 per day of violation plus court costs and reasonable attorney fees, set by a Magisterial District Judge; each day is a separate offense and the township may also seek an injunction.1
- Three convictions in any rolling 12 months revoke the license for one year, and a fourth conviction can revoke it permanently; a violation of the Pennsylvania Sewage Facilities Act can bring immediate revocation until it is corrected.1
- A license not renewed within 60 days of expiry becomes void and the owner must apply again as a new applicant.1
- Monroe County hotel tax paid late carries interest of 1.5% a month (18% a year), and the county can sue for the tax with attorney fees of up to 10% of the amount due.4
Changes
What's Changed in Coolbaugh Township's Airbnb Rules
No change was scheduled when the rules were checked on October 17, 2026; the most recent are listed first.
- September 30, 2026 Not in forceHouse passes House Bill 2083 on rental tax compliance
House Bill 2083 passed the House 194-9 on September 30, 2026 and awaits action in the Senate. As amended, it would let counties require operators, hotels and booking agents to file quarterly information returns on each rental and impose a penalty of up to $250 per violation per day.16
- July 21, 2026Township complaint portal goes live
The township's director of codes and zoning told the Board of Supervisors that the Citizen Reporter complaint tool is live, letting residents tie complaints to specific properties for assignment and follow-up by staff.12
- March 19, 2026 Not in forceHouse Bill 2303 would create a statewide framework
House Bill 2303 would add a chapter to Title 48 with countywide registries of short-term rentals, a 24/7 person in charge for each property and baseline safety standards. It was referred to the House Tourism, Recreation & Economic Development Committee on March 19, 2026 and has not advanced further.15
- June 3, 2025Township amends Chapter 324 with Ordinance 159-2025
Ordinance No. 159-2025 amended sections 324-6, 324-8, 324-9, 324-10 and 324-13. The township's hearing notice described the changes as limiting rentals to the R-1, R-2, R-3, W-C and C-3 districts, requiring sewer inspections, banning sewage holding tanks, limiting occupancy and revising license requirements.1,19
- May 12, 2025Federal total-price rule takes effect
The FTC Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees began applying to short-term lodging, requiring advertised prices to show the total price including mandatory fees.14
- August 18, 2020Coolbaugh Township adopts its short-term rental chapter
Ordinance No. 141-2020 created Chapter 324, Short-Term Rentals, of the township code, with the license, contact person, occupancy and penalty rules.1
Listing data
What Coolbaugh Township's Listings Show
AirROI, a short-term-rental data firm, counted 834 active Airbnb listings in Coolbaugh Township over the 12 months to October 2026. 0.1% of them displayed a permit, license or registration number.
Minimum stay set on Coolbaugh Township listings
Share of active listings by the shortest stay they accept
Minimum stay in numbers
| Shortest stay accepted | Share of listings |
|---|---|
| 1 night | 9% |
| 2 nights | 80% |
| 3 nights | 9% |
| 4–6 nights | <1% |
| 7–29 nights | <1% |
| 30+ nights | <1% |
What officials report
- $175,000
- Budgeted 2026 township revenue from short-term rental permits · as of 2026The township's 2026 preliminary final budget projects $175,000 of revenue from short-term rental permits (line 01.321.360).13
Earnings
What Could a Coolbaugh Township Short-Term Rental Earn?
The rules shape the numbers: a license that costs $200 in the first year and taxes of 9% that Airbnb adds to guests' bills. For a specific address, the short-term rental calculator estimates revenue, occupancy and nightly rate from comparable listings, so you can test the numbers before applying.
FAQ
Coolbaugh Township Airbnb Rules: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Airbnb legal in Coolbaugh Township?
Do I need a permit for Airbnb in Coolbaugh Township?
How much is the Coolbaugh Township short-term rental license?
The initial license application costs $200 and the annual renewal $150. A re-inspection costs $40 when deficiencies need a second visit.8
Can I rent a home I don't live in on Airbnb in Coolbaugh Township?
How many guests can stay in a Coolbaugh Township short-term rental?
Overnight occupancy is capped at two persons per bedroom plus four, and never more than 14; children under two do not count. Day guests are limited to 75% of the overnight maximum at any one time.1
Is there a limit on how many nights I can host in Coolbaugh Township?
No. Chapter 324 sets no yearly cap on nights; it covers any stay of fewer than 30 consecutive days. The limits are on occupancy, parking and the number of bedrooms approved on the septic permit.1
Does Airbnb collect hotel tax in Coolbaugh Township?
What is the hotel tax rate in Coolbaugh Township?
What is the fine for renting without a license in Coolbaugh Township?
Up to $1,000 per day of violation plus court costs and attorney fees, with each day a separate offense. Three convictions in 12 months revoke the license for a year.1
What do I need before applying for the Coolbaugh Township license?
Do I need insurance or safety equipment to host in Coolbaugh Township?
Can my community association stop me from renting in Coolbaugh Township?
Yes. The township license does not excuse an owner from the declarations or covenants of a planned community, so a community that bans rentals still bars the home.1
How many Coolbaugh Township Airbnbs are registered?
Budgeted 2026 township revenue from short-term rental permits: 175,000 as of 202613. In AirROI's listing data, 0% of the 834 Coolbaugh Township Airbnb listings active in the 12 months to October 2026 displayed a permit, license or registration number. A number on a listing shows the host entered one; it doesn't confirm the permit is valid.
How much does an Airbnb make in Coolbaugh Township?
The average Coolbaugh Township listing earned $46,600 in the 12 months to October 2026, according to AirROI, averaged across every active listing including those booked for only part of the year. The Coolbaugh Township Airbnb market report breaks it down by month, property size and neighborhood.
Method
How These Rules Were Checked
Each rule on this page was checked in October 2026 against the official source cited beside it: the ordinance or statute, the permit office's own pages and the tax authority. Airbnb's help pages are cited on their own only for what Airbnb itself does, such as the taxes it collects and the permit checks it runs, and otherwise only beside an official source; news reports only for when a change was announced. Rules that could not be confirmed on an official page are left out. The FTC page was read from an Internet Archive copy dated September 25, 2026, and the township fee schedule is a scanned PDF that was read as page images.
Rules change with council votes, court rulings and new state laws, so the page is rechecked every three months and whenever a scheduled change takes effect. It summarizes the rules for information and is not legal advice; the local authority has the final word on any application.
Listing figures come from AirROI's tracking of 834 active Coolbaugh Township Airbnb listings over the 12 months to October 2026.
Sources
Sources
Each rule above links to the source it comes from. Official ordinances, statutes and government pages come first, then Airbnb's own help pages.
- 1. Chapter 324: Short-Term Rentals · Township of Coolbaugh Code of Ordinances
- 2. Chapter 400, Article IV: District Regulations (zoning districts) · Township of Coolbaugh Code of Ordinances
- 3. Chapter 303: Rental Property (tenant registration reports) · Township of Coolbaugh Code of Ordinances
- 4. Monroe County Hotel Room Rental Excise Tax Ordinance (amended and restated) · Monroe County Board of Commissioners
- 5. Home-sharing/Third-party Broker Rentals · Pennsylvania Department of Revenue
- 6. Hotel Occupancy Tax - Booking Agents · Pennsylvania Department of Revenue
- 7. The Short-Term Rental Industry in Pennsylvania: A Staff Study (March 2025) · Joint State Government Commission, Pennsylvania General Assembly
- 8. Short Term Rentals · Coolbaugh Township
- 9. Short-Term Rental Application Process and Inspection Checklist · Coolbaugh Township
- 10. Short Term Rentals (Hotel Excise Tax) · Monroe County Treasurer
- 11. Monroe County Hotel Room Rental Excise Tax registration application and quarterly report · Monroe County Treasurer
- 12. Board of Supervisors regular meeting minutes, July 21, 2026 (August 4, 2026 public packet) · Coolbaugh Township
- 13. 2026 Preliminary Budget, Final Public · Coolbaugh Township
- 14. The Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees: Frequently Asked Questions · Federal Trade Commission
- 15. House Bill 2303 of 2025-2026 (short-term rentals, Title 48) · Pennsylvania General Assembly
- 16. House Bill 2083 of 2025-2026 (hotel and short-term rental tax compliance) · Pennsylvania General Assembly
- 17. Coolbaugh Township Fee Schedule (Rev. 01/02/2025), Short Term Rentals section · Coolbaugh Township
- 18. Occupancy tax collection and remittance by Airbnb in Pennsylvania · Airbnb Help Center
- 19. Coolbaugh Township Short-Term Rental Ordinance Public Hearing (legal notice, May 12, 2025) · Monroe County, PA community calendar (township legal notice)