Overview

Short-term rentals (STRs) are permitted in Paradise Township only under a Township-issued Short-Term Rental License and within zoning districts that allow STR uses. According to the current local ordinance and regulatory summary, STRs are not permitted in residential zoning districts but are permitted in B-1 and B-2 commercial districts. Hosts must obtain an annual license for each dwelling unit, meet safety and occupancy standards, pass required inspections, and maintain compliance with state and local taxes.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Paradise Township

1. Confirm zoning eligibility. Verify that your property is in a permitted zoning district (B-1 or B-2). The Township does not allow STRs in residential zoning districts. If you are uncertain of your property’s zoning designation, request written confirmation from the Zoning Officer before proceeding.
2. Prepare and submit a Short-Term Rental License Application. Each dwelling unit requires a separate license. Applications include owner and local contact details, property and floor plans, parking/septic information, tax certificates, insurance, signed waivers, and trash service agreement. The application must be signed by both the owner and the local managing agent/contact person.
3. Obtain required state and local tax credentials. Register for the Pennsylvania Sales and Use Tax License (to collect the 6% state Hotel Occupancy Tax on transient lodging unless collected by a platform) and the Monroe County Hotel Room Excise Tax Certificate. Confirm with Monroe County for local excise tax registration and reporting requirements.
4. Secure insurance and utility services. Maintain at least $500,000 in general liability coverage and document licensed trash/garbage service.
5. Schedule inspections. Initial licensing requires verification of zoning compliance, health and safety standards, and other application details. Licensing does not guarantee that the premises is lawful, safe, or habitable; it indicates the property met the ordinance’s requirements at the time of inspection.
6. Operate under Township rules. Enforce occupancy, parking, and conduct standards; post required notices inside the unit; and maintain records for inspections and renewals.
7. Renew annually and re-inspect. Submit renewal application, undergo required inspections, and update any changed conditions (occupancy, bedrooms, septic system, etc.).

State-level requirements include collecting the 6% Pennsylvania Hotel Occupancy Tax unless the platform remits it on your behalf, maintaining accurate records, and filing as required by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. Local excise taxes may also apply.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Documents and Items to Include with Your STR License Application:

• Owner information: name, address, email, phone, and, if no local contact, a 24-hour phone number.
• Local contact/manager: name, address, 24-hour phone; written authorization to accept service.
• Floor plans: total habitable floor space and total bedrooms.
• Multi-unit structures: total dwelling units and how many will be used as STRs.
• Site plan: location and number of on-site parking spaces; location, approximate age, and capacity of the sewage disposal system if not on central sewers.
• Monroe County Hotel Room Excise Tax Certificate (current).
• Pennsylvania Sales and Use Tax License (current).
• Signatures: owner and local managing agent/contact person.
• Trespass Waiver: allowing the Zoning Officer and Building Code Official to inspect.
• Copy of the recorded deed establishing ownership.
• Current agreement with a licensed trash/garbage hauler.
• Evidence of no delinquent Monroe County Hotel Room Excise Tax or Pennsylvania sales/use taxes owed for the property’s STRs.
• Certificate of Insurance evidencing at least $500,000 in general liability coverage issued by a Pennsylvania-licensed insurer, maintained for the license term.

Permit and License Summary:

• Short-Term Rental License: required for each dwelling unit; separate license for each STR unit in two-family or multi-family buildings.
• License term: one (1) year from issuance or until any governed conditions change; annual renewal required; re-inspection at renewal.
• Fees: determined by Board of Supervisors resolution (documented renewal cost of $100; inspection fee $40 in the regulatory summary); confirm current amounts with Township.

State and Local Tax Credentials:

• Pennsylvania Sales and Use Tax License (for the 6% Hotel Occupancy Tax unless collected by platforms).
• Monroe County Hotel Room Excise Tax registration (confirm with Monroe County for registration and rate).

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals (Township, County, and State)

Paradise Township Ordinance Chapter 114 governs STRs and establishes the following requirements:

Applicability and Scope:

• Applies to all residential dwelling units, conversions of nonresidential structures to residential, and existing premises within Township.
• The owner is responsible for compliance; violations by guests are deemed owner noncompliance.

Occupancy and Day Guests:

• Maximum overnight occupancy: two (2) persons per bedroom plus four (4) additional persons per dwelling unit.
• Maximum day guests at any one time: seventy-five percent (75%) of maximum overnight occupancy.

Bedroom and Septic Capacity:

• Bedrooms permitted cannot exceed those approved on the sewage permit. Where no sewage permit is on record, the STR is limited to three (3) bedrooms unless the Sewage Enforcement Officer confirms adequate septic capacity.
• Any STR advertised with more than five (5) bedrooms must provide proof of septic adequacy approved by the Sewage Enforcement Officer or a septic permit previously issued by the SEO.
• If a sewage system malfunction occurs, STR operations must cease until the malfunction is corrected per Township and Pennsylvania DEP requirements.

Parking and Access:

• Guest parking must be on-site; no parking on any public street right-of-way for STR guests.
• Required parking space dimensions: minimum nine (9) feet by eighteen (18) feet with adequate aisle space; maintain in a mud-free condition (paving, stone, or similar material).
• Expansion of parking areas requires prior Township approval.

Conduct and Nuisance:

• STR guests may not engage in disorderly conduct or disturb the peace via loud or excessive noise, offensive conduct, public indecency, or threatening behavior.
• Owners must use best efforts to prevent disturbances, notify occupants of rules, and respond promptly to violations.

Overnight Camping and Sleeping:

• Overnight occupancy of recreational vehicles, camper trailers, and tents on the STR property is prohibited.
• Outdoor overnight sleeping by STR occupants or guests is prohibited.

Required Unit Posting:

• A clearly visible and legible notice must be posted in the dwelling unit on or adjacent to the front door, containing:
  • Owner or authorized agent/manager name and 24-hour contact phone.
  • 911 address.
  • Maximum overnight occupancy and maximum day guests allowed.
  • Maximum number of vehicles allowed on property and the requirement that all guest parking must be on-site, not in or along any private, community, or public street right-of-way.
  • Trash pickup day and rule: exterior storage restricted to watertight metal or plastic cans from 6:00 p.m. the day prior to pickup to 6:00 p.m. on pickup day.
  • Notification that occupants or guests may be cited/fined for disturbances or other ordinance violations (parking, occupancy, etc.).
  • Notification that occupants/guests must make the unit available for inspection upon request.

Safety Equipment and Building Code Compliance: All STRs must comply with Chapter 44 (Building Code) of the Paradise Township Code and must include:

• Interconnected smoke detectors with battery backup: in each bedroom; outside each bedroom in common hallways; one per floor.
• Arc-fault circuit breakers.
• GFI outlets within six (6) feet of water sources, in unfinished basements, and in garages.
• Aluminum or metal exhaust from dryer.
• Carbon monoxide detectors (if any open-flame oil/gas furnace or fireplace; wood-burning stove; or attached garage).
• Fire extinguisher in kitchen.
• Stairs (indoor and outdoor) and handrails in good condition per the 2009 International Residential Code (IRC).
• Emergency egress windows per 2009 IRC.
• Fire separation between attached garages and dwelling units.

Marketing:

• It is a violation to advertise occupancy exceeding permitted limits or to promote prohibited activities.

Inspections:

• The Zoning Officer and the Building Code Official shall inspect to verify application information, license compliance, and operating requirements.
• The Township may conduct entry inspections (interior access arranged with the owner/agent) if a violation is suspected.

Enforcement, Penalties, and Appeals:

• Violations are public nuisances and subject to enforcement via Magisterial District Judge in the manner of summary offenses.
• Fines: $100–$1,000 per violation plus court costs and reasonable attorney fees; each day or portion thereof constitutes a separate violation.
• License revocation or denial of renewal: After three (3) uncured or repeated violations in any rolling twelve-month period, the Zoning Officer may revoke or deny renewal of the STR license for six (6) months for the first set; one (1) year for subsequent sets.
• If premises have multiple owners, each is severally subject to prosecution.
• Appeals: Appeals of Building Code determinations follow Chapter 44. Appeals of Zoning Officer determinations (denial, revocation, non-renewal) are filed with the Board of Supervisors within thirty (30) days, with written notice, a hearing within sixty (60) days, and a written decision within forty-five (45) days after the hearing under the Local Agency Law.

Zoning Restrictions (from regulatory summary):

• STRs are not permitted in residential zoning districts.
• STRs are permitted in B-1 and B-2 zoning districts.

State-Level Regulations (Pennsylvania):

• Hotel Occupancy Tax: 6% on transient lodging; platforms may collect and remit; otherwise, owners must register with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue and file and pay accordingly.
• County and local lodging taxes: Several counties, including Monroe County, impose excise or lodging taxes that may apply on top of state tax.
• Hosts should also consider federal tax reporting and potential deductions; consult a tax professional.

Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs)

Paradise Township
Paradise Township Building/Zoning Office
Primary Phone: 570-639-1999 (Township general line)
Email: Contact through the Township website contact page
Website: www.paradisetownship.com/

State Tax Registration and General Assistance
Pennsylvania Department of Revenue: 1-888-PATAXES (1-888-728-2937)
Online registration/filing: www.mypath.state.pa.us/

Monroe County Excise/Hotel Tax
Contact Monroe County for registration, rate, and filing requirements: www.monroecountypa.gov/
Phone: 570-517-3100 (General County line)

Links to Source Pages

• Paradise Township STR Ordinance (Chapter 114) and Definitions: www.paradisetownship.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif5311/f/uploads/str_chapter_114_2-17-21-1.pdf
• Paradise Township Short-Term Rental License Application: www.paradisetownship.com/sites/g/files/vyhlif5311/f/uploads/short_term_rental_app_-_updated.pdf
• Paradise Township Official Website: www.paradisetownship.com/
• Monroe County Government Website: www.monroecountypa.gov/
• Pennsylvania Department of Revenue (MyPath portal): www.mypath.state.pa.us/
• RedAwning Pennsylvania STR Overview (state-level taxes and context): www.redawning.com/pm/post/pennsylvania-short-term-rental-laws
• Revedy Regulatory Report for Paradise, PA (zoning districts and costs): revedy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Market-Regulatory-Report-SAMPLE.pdf

This guide is intended to orient STR investors and hosts to the explicit permitting, compliance, and zoning rules that govern Paradise Township operations. Before listing a property, confirm zoning eligibility with the Zoning Officer, complete the Township’s licensing requirements, secure the necessary tax registrations, and maintain compliance with occupancy, parking, safety, and conduct standards.