Overview: Are STRs allowed in Gouldsboro, PA?

• Short answer: STRs are allowed in parts of the Gouldsboro area, but the legality and process are determined by the serving townships (Coolbaugh Township in Monroe County; Lehigh Township in Wayne County; Clifton, Covington, and Thornhurst Townships in Lackawanna County). Each township has its own rules. There is no “Gouldsboro Borough” or municipal government; the “Gouldsboro” designation refers to the post office and census area covering multiple townships.
• In short: Green to Yellow in most serving municipalities, with required licensing and specific occupancy/inspection rules depending on the township.

Serving Townships & STR Status (for properties with Gouldsboro 18424 addresses)

• Coolbaugh Township (Monroe County)

  • Status: Allowed in residential zoning with required permits and inspections. Not permitted in commercial or industrial zoning.
  • Occupancy: 14-person limit.
  • Process: Obtain township STR license; complete required inspections (fire/safety).
  • Notes: One of the most active STR markets in the Poconos. Communities like Arrowhead Lake (partial) and others within Coolbaugh operate STRs under township rules.
  • Contact (township): Phone: not listed in provided sources; Website: coolbaughtwp.org
  • Source: poconovacationhomesales.com/2022/03/01/str-scorecard-municipal-rules-on-short-term-rentals-in-the-poconos/

• Lehigh Township (Wayne County) — serving the Gouldsboro postal area

  • Status: Regulated since May 2022. STRs are allowed subject to township STR regulations (referenced by township).
  • Process: STR license/registration required; consult township for application, inspections, and fees.
  • Notes: Part of the Gouldsboro 18424 ZIP coverage.
  • Contact (township): Phone: (570) 842-6262; Website: lehightwpwayneco.org
  • Source: poconovacationhomesales.com/2022/03/01/str-scorecard-municipal-rules-on-short-term-rentals-in-the-poconos/

• Clifton Township (Lackawanna County) — serving the Gouldsboro postal area

  • Status: STR license required for homes outside the Big Bass Lake community (BBL).
  • Exemption: Homes within Big Bass Lake are covered by BBL community regulations and are exempt from the township’s STR ordinance.
  • Occupancy (BBL): 3 people per bedroom.
  • Process: Apply for township STR license (outside BBL). Confirm any BBL HOA rules for rentals.
  • Contact (township): Phone: not listed in provided sources; Website: cliftontownship.com
  • Sources:
    • poconovacationhomesales.com/2022/03/01/str-scorecard-municipal-rules-on-short-term-rentals-in-the-poconos/
    • poconovacationhomesales.com/2023/07/03/short-term-rental-friendly-pocono-communities/

• Covington Township (Lackawanna County) — serving the Gouldsboro postal area

  • Status: STR permitted; a permit is required (process managed by a third party).
  • Process: Submit Short-Term Rental packet; follow occupancy, parking, and local manager/contact rules.
  • Contact (township): Phone: not listed in provided sources; Website: covingtontwp.org
  • Source: poconovacationhomesales.com/2022/03/01/str-scorecard-municipal-rules-on-short-term-rentals-in-the-poconos/

• Thornhurst Township (Lackawanna County) — serving the Gouldsboro postal area

  • Status: STR permitted; license and annual inspection required.
  • Requirements: Local representative available; parking on-property; occupancy limited to 2 people per bedroom plus additional occupancy requirements.
  • Contact (township): Phone: not listed in provided sources; Website: thornhursttwp.com
  • Source: poconovacationhomesales.com/2022/03/01/str-scorecard-municipal-rules-on-short-term-rentals-in-the-poconos/

• Planned communities with Gouldsboro ties (confirm with township + HOA)

  • Big Bass Lake (spans parts of Lehigh/Clifton/Covington): BBL exempts township rules; occupancy 3 people per bedroom in BBL area; HOA registration required.
  • Eagle Lake (Covington/Lackawanna): STR allowed; confirm HOA registration requirements.
  • Lakeview Estates (Lehigh/Wayne): Annual HOA license ($300); guests registered; STR defined as 2+ weeks.
  • Lake Watawga (spans Lehigh/Wayne and Coolbaugh/Monroe): HOA reportedly moving toward STR restrictions; confirm current rules before purchase or licensing.
  • Sources:
    • poconovacationhomesales.com/2023/07/03/short-term-rental-friendly-pocono-communities/
    • poconovacationhomesales.com/2022/03/01/str-scorecard-municipal-rules-on-short-term-rentals-in-the-poconos/

How to start a short-term rental business in this market

• Step 1 — Confirm township eligibility
  • Determine the exact township for your property (Monroe, Wayne, or Lackawanna).
  • Verify whether STR is a permitted use in that zoning district and whether a license is required.
  • In Monroe (Coolbaugh), STR is permitted in residential zoning with licensing.
  • In Wayne (Lehigh), STR has been regulated since May 2022.
  • In Lackawanna (Clifton/Covington/Thornhurst), licensing or permits are required.
• Step 2 — Plan for compliance
  • Review occupancy caps and inspection requirements (Coolbaugh 14-person limit; Thornhurst 2 per bedroom + extras; Clifton/Big Bass Lake 3 per bedroom; Covington requires local contact and parking).
  • Plan for safety: smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguishers, egress, posted occupancy, trash service, and local manager/contact availability as required.
• Step 3 — License application and inspections
  • Submit the township application (Covington uses a third-party packet; others use township forms).
  • Schedule and pass required inspections (annual inspections common).
• Step 4 — HOA/POA compliance
  • For gated/amenitized communities (Big Bass Lake, Lakeview Estates, Lake Watawga, etc.), obtain HOA registration/approval and pay any fees.
• Step 5 — Operating procedures
  • Register guests, provide parking passes/badges as required, maintain occupancy logs, and ensure local contact responsiveness.
• Step 6 — Ongoing renewals and compliance
  • Renew licenses annually and keep records for inspections, guest registrations, and incident reports.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• Township STR license/permit (mandatory in most serving municipalities)
  • Coolbaugh Township: STR license + inspections; 14-person occupancy limit; no STR in commercial/industrial zones.
  • Lehigh Township (Wayne): STR license/registration required (see township for forms/inspection schedule).
  • Clifton Township: STR license for non-Big-Bass-Lake properties; BBL properties exempt from township licensing but must comply with BBL rules.
  • Covington Township: Permit via third-party packet; local manager/contact; occupancy/parking rules.
  • Thornhurst Township: License + annual inspection; local representative; on-property parking; 2 people per bedroom + extras.
• State-level considerations (Pennsylvania)
  • Zoning authority: Municipalities may regulate STRs via zoning. The PA Supreme Court case Slice of Life v. Hamilton Twp upheld local zoning’s ability to exclude transient uses.
  • Insurance: Maintain appropriate liability and property coverage; coordinate with lender/HOA.
  • Taxes: PA sales tax and local hotel taxes may apply depending on jurisdiction; consult local tax office.
  • Safety: Follow applicable building/fire code requirements; inspections are common.
• HOA/POA requirements (if in a planned community)
  • Example: Big Bass Lake requires renter registration and adherence to community rules.
  • Example: Lakeview Estates (Wayne) requires an HOA license and guest registration.
  • Example: Eagle Lake (Covington) allows STRs; confirm HOA registration.
  • Example: Lake Watawga — HOA rules evolving; confirm before licensing.

Specific regulations (township/county/state) affecting Gouldsboro-area STRs

• State (Pennsylvania)
  • Zoning and land use: Municipalities can define STRs as a permitted, conditional, or prohibited use. The PA Supreme Court has affirmed municipal authority to regulate or prohibit transient uses in residential districts.
  • Safety and inspections: Many townships require safety inspections and annual renewals.
• Monroe County — Coolbaugh Township
  • STR allowed in residential zoning with permits and inspections; prohibited in commercial/industrial zoning.
  • Occupancy cap: 14 persons.
  • Licensing required; inspections required.
• Wayne County — Lehigh Township
  • STR regulation in place since May 2022; license/registration required; follow township STR requirements.
• Lackawanna County — Clifton, Covington, Thornhurst Townships
  • Clifton Township: STR license required outside Big Bass Lake; BBL exempt; BBL occupancy 3 per bedroom.
  • Covington Township: Permit required; third-party managed process; local manager/contact; parking and occupancy restrictions apply.
  • Thornhurst Township: License + annual inspection; local representative; on-property parking; occupancy limited to 2 per bedroom plus extras.
• Gated/amenitized communities
  • Big Bass Lake (Clifton/Covington/Lehigh): Community-level rules supersede township licensing within BBL; occupancy 3 per bedroom; HOA registration required.
  • Eagle Lake (Covington): STR allowed; confirm HOA registration/passes.
  • Lakeview Estates (Lehigh/Wayne): Annual HOA license ($300), guest registration.
  • Lake Watawga (Lehigh/Wayne and Coolbaugh/Monroe): HOA reportedly moving toward restrictions; confirm current rules.

Contact information (phone/email/website) — serving townships

• Lehigh Township (Wayne County) — serving Gouldsboro 18424
  • Phone: (570) 842-6262
  • Website: lehightwpwayneco.org
• Coolbaugh Township (Monroe County) — serving Gouldsboro 18424
  • Website: coolbaughtwp.org
  • Phone: Not provided in source
• Covington Township (Lackawanna County) — serving Gouldsboro 18424
  • Website: covingtontwp.org
  • Phone: Not provided in source
• Clifton Township (Lackawanna County) — serving Gouldsboro 18424
  • Website: cliftontownship.com
  • Phone: Not provided in source
• Thornhurst Township (Lackawanna County) — serving Gouldsboro 18424
  • Website: thornhursttwp.com
  • Phone: Not provided in source

Links to source pages (important)

• STR Municipal Scorecard (servings townships and summaries): poconovacationhomesales.com/2022/03/01/str-scorecard-municipal-rules-on-short-term-rentals-in-the-poconos/
• STR-Friendly Pocono Communities (HOA/POA overlays and notes): poconovacationhomesales.com/2023/07/03/short-term-rental-friendly-pocono-communities/
• Coolbaugh Township (Monroe County) — short-term rental rules: coolbaughtwp.org/departments/short-term-rental/
• Lehigh Township (Wayne County) — STR regulations portal (see township website): lehightwpwayneco.org
• Covington Township — Short-Term Rental packet: covingtontwp.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Short-Term-Rental-packet.pdf
• Clifton Township — STR Ordinance (Code library): codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/cliftontwp/latest/cliftontwp_pa/0-0-0-7018
• Big Bass Lake Community — regulations (for BBL exemption/occupancy): bblca.cincwebaxis.com/bblca

Important notes for investors

• There is no “Gouldsboro Borough.” Your legal STR status depends entirely on the township and zoning of your property.
• Always verify current township zoning and licensing requirements before purchase or launch.
• Many amenitized communities impose their own STR rules, registration, fees, and occupancy limits that operate in addition to township rules.
• Given ongoing municipal and HOA changes, confirm with the township and community association immediately prior to closing and license application.

If you provide the exact address or township of your target property, I can tailor the process and documentation checklist to that specific jurisdiction.