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Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Honesdale, PA

Last verified: 2026-05-14 · Report an update

Zoning & Conditions

Short-term rentals require a local contact person reachable within one hour and must pass an annual safety inspection covering smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguishers, and egress. Licenses are issued only to owners and must be renewed annually, with occupancy limited by specific life-safety standards defined in the borough code.

How to Obtain a Permit

1. Submit a short-term rental license application to the Code Official including owner info, a local contact person, a parking diagram, and proof of county room tax/state sales tax registration. 2. Schedule and pass an annual safety inspection conducted by the borough's third-party firm (BHW Inspections). 3. Pay the required fees as established by the Borough Fee Resolution and renew the license annually.

Official Resources

Official Honesdale STR regulation source

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Airbnbs legal in Honesdale, PA?
Airbnb listings are allowed in Honesdale, PA, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals require a local contact person reachable within one hour and must pass an annual safety inspection covering smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguishers, and egress. Licenses are issued only to owners and must be renewed annually, with occupancy limited by specific life-safety standards defined in the borough code. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.
Are short-term rentals allowed in Honesdale, PA?
Short-term rentals require a local contact person reachable within one hour and must pass an annual safety inspection covering smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguishers, and egress. Licenses are issued only to owners and must be renewed annually, with occupancy limited by specific life-safety standards defined in the borough code.
Is a permit required to operate a short-term rental in Honesdale?
Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Honesdale. 1. Submit a short-term rental license application to the Code Official including owner info, a local contact person, a parking diagram, and proof of county room tax/state sales tax registration. 2. Schedule and pass an annual safety inspection conducted by the borough's third-party firm (BHW Inspections). 3. Pay the required fees as established by the Borough Fee Resolution and renew the license annually.
How do I get a short-term rental permit in Honesdale?
1. Submit a short-term rental license application to the Code Official including owner info, a local contact person, a parking diagram, and proof of county room tax/state sales tax registration. 2. Schedule and pass an annual safety inspection conducted by the borough's third-party firm (BHW Inspections). 3. Pay the required fees as established by the Borough Fee Resolution and renew the license annually.
Is Vrbo legal in Honesdale, PA?
Vrbo is permitted in Honesdale, PA under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.
What taxes do short-term rental hosts pay in Honesdale?
Short-term rental hosts in Honesdale are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.
What is the latest short-term rental ordinance change in Honesdale?
We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Honesdale. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.

Disclaimer

This information is for general reference only and may not reflect the most current regulations. STR regulations change frequently. Always verify requirements with official local government sources before operating a short-term rental.

Last verified: 2026-05-14 · Suggest a correction