Is Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Stroudsburg Borough office, as the city requires short-term rental operators to obtain a business license and comply with zoning ordinances that may restrict rentals in certain residential areas. Contact the Monroe County Department of Health for any required health permits and ensure compliance with Pennsylvania state tax requirements including the 6% sales tax and 5% hotel occupancy tax. Find a suitable property by searching areas near downtown Stroudsburg or close to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, considering properties with 2-3 bedrooms that can accommodate families visiting the Pocono Mountains region. Secure financing if needed and ensure the property meets all safety codes including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and proper egress windows. Furnish the space with quality furniture, linens, and amenities targeting outdoor enthusiasts and families, including items like hiking guides, local restaurant recommendations, and outdoor gear storage. Create compelling listings on Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com with professional photography highlighting the property's proximity to outdoor activities, antique shopping on Main Street, and easy access to major highways. Set competitive pricing around $80-150 per night depending on season and property size, with higher rates during peak summer and fall foliage seasons. Implement a management system using tools like Hostfully or Guesty for booking coordination, cleaning schedules with local services, and guest communication, while maintaining a 24-hour response time and providing detailed check-in instructions and local area guides to ensure positive reviews and repeat bookings.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, focus on locations within 2-3 miles of major attractions like the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, Bushkill Falls, and downtown Stroudsburg's historic district, as these areas consistently attract tourists year-round. Target properties with 2-4 bedrooms, outdoor spaces like decks or fire pits, modern amenities including WiFi and updated kitchens, and unique features such as mountain or river views that command premium rates of $150-300 per night depending on season and size. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify properties where potential STR revenue exceeds traditional rental income by 40-60%, typically finding opportunities in the $200,000-400,000 purchase price range. Research competition by analyzing existing Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 5-mile radius, identifying gaps in amenities or underpriced properties, while noting that Stroudsburg's proximity to New York City and Philadelphia creates strong weekend and holiday demand. Utilize tools like Rabbu, BiggerPockets calculators, and local MLS data through Realtor.com, while connecting with Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau for tourism trends and consulting with local property managers familiar with Monroe County's zoning regulations and seasonal occupancy patterns that peak during summer months and fall foliage season.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, you must first contact the Stroudsburg Borough Office at 700 Sarah Street to inquire about their specific short-term rental ordinance requirements, as the borough has implemented regulations around 2019-2020. You'll need to submit an application that typically includes proof of property ownership or lease agreement, a detailed floor plan, proof of liability insurance (usually $1 million minimum), contact information for a local property manager if you're not local, and a completed safety inspection checklist. Required documents generally include a current certificate of occupancy, fire safety compliance certification, parking plan showing adequate off-street parking, and neighbor notification forms. The application fee is estimated at $150-300 annually, with additional inspection fees of approximately $75-150. The timeline for approval typically takes 30-60 days from submission of a complete application, including time for the required safety inspection by the borough's code enforcement officer. Stroudsburg-specific requirements include maintaining a guest registry, posting emergency contact information prominently in the rental unit, ensuring compliance with the borough's noise ordinance, and adhering to occupancy limits based on bedroom count and square footage, with most properties limited to 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests maximum.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania operate under local municipal regulations, and as of recent years, the borough has implemented specific zoning restrictions that limit where STRs can operate. STRs are generally permitted in certain residential zones but face restrictions in historic districts and areas zoned for single-family residential use, with the borough requiring operators to obtain special use permits and comply with safety, parking, and occupancy requirements. The city has imposed limits on the number of STR permits issued and requires properties to meet specific criteria including adequate parking spaces, fire safety compliance, and neighbor notification processes. Recent changes around 2022-2023 have tightened regulations following community concerns about housing availability and neighborhood character, with the borough establishing a cap on the total number of STR licenses and implementing stricter enforcement mechanisms. Property owners must register with the borough, pay annual fees, and ensure their rentals comply with building codes and zoning ordinances, while certain areas near Stroudsburg University and in dense residential neighborhoods face additional restrictions or outright prohibitions on new STR operations.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania include the Historic Downtown District, which attracts tourists visiting the Sherman Theater and antique shops while serving business travelers to local companies like Sanofi and Momentive Performance Materials; the Delaware Water Gap vicinity near Route 611, popular with outdoor enthusiasts visiting Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area for hiking, rafting, and skiing at nearby Shawnee Mountain and Jack Frost Big Boulder resorts; the East Stroudsburg University area along Normal Street and surrounding neighborhoods, which provides consistent demand from visiting families, prospective students, and university events throughout the academic year; the Pocono Raceway corridor along Route 380, experiencing high seasonal demand during NASCAR races and other motorsport events that draw thousands of visitors; and the Bartonsville/Tannersville border area near The Crossings Premium Outlets and Camelback Lodge, benefiting from shopping tourism and families visiting Camelbeach Waterpark and Camelback Mountain Resort, with properties here commanding premium rates during peak summer and winter seasons due to proximity to major Pocono attractions.

In Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, Airbnb hosts are subject to multiple lodging taxes including the Pennsylvania state hotel occupancy tax of 6%, Monroe County's hotel tax of 3%, and potentially a local Stroudsburg occupancy tax of approximately 2-3%. The state tax applies to rentals under 30 days and is collected by the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, with hosts required to register for a sales tax license and remit taxes monthly or quarterly depending on volume. Monroe County's hotel tax is administered by the Monroe County Commissioners and must be remitted monthly by the 20th of the following month. Local Stroudsburg taxes are typically collected through the borough's tax office with similar monthly remittance requirements. Airbnb may collect and remit some of these taxes automatically through their platform for participating jurisdictions, but hosts should verify which taxes are being handled and register directly with tax authorities for any not covered. Exemptions generally include stays of 30 days or longer, rentals to permanent residents, and in some cases government employees on official business, though hosts must maintain proper documentation to claim exemptions and should consult with local tax authorities to ensure full compliance with all applicable lodging tax requirements.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania is approximately $285,000-$315,000. Property purchase costs around $220,000-$250,000 based on median home prices in the Pocono Mountains region. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $15,000-$25,000 for quality furniture, bedding, kitchenware, and decor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic supplies total $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees vary but expect $500-$1,500 for business licenses, short-term rental permits, and potential zoning approvals required by Monroe County and local municipalities. Insurance specifically for short-term rentals costs $1,200-$2,000 annually, significantly higher than standard homeowner's insurance. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable services require $1,000-$1,500 initially. First six months of operating costs including utilities ($300-$400 monthly), cleaning services ($75-$100 per turnover), maintenance reserves, property management software, and marketing expenses total approximately $8,000-$12,000, assuming moderate occupancy rates during the initial launch period.

Airbnb properties in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania demonstrate strong profitability potential due to the city's strategic location in the Pocono Mountains region, with average nightly rates ranging from $120-180 for typical 2-3 bedroom properties. Properties near popular attractions like Bushkill Falls and Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area generate annual revenues of $25,000-45,000, while operating expenses typically run 35-45% of gross revenue including cleaning fees ($40-60 per turnover), property management (15-25%), utilities ($150-250 monthly), insurance ($1,200-2,000 annually), and maintenance costs. Successful operators like those managing lakefront cabins in nearby Lake Harmony report profit margins of 25-35% after expenses, with peak summer and fall foliage seasons driving 60% of annual bookings. Key success factors include proximity to outdoor recreation areas, professional photography showcasing mountain views, responsive guest communication, and seasonal pricing strategies that capitalize on ski season and summer tourism, with properties within 15 minutes of major attractions consistently outperforming urban listings by 20-30% in occupancy rates.

Airbnb investments in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% due to the area's proximity to the Pocono Mountains resort region and steady tourist traffic from New York and Philadelphia metropolitan areas. Cash-on-cash returns generally range from 8-14% annually, with properties near Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area and Bushkill Falls commanding premium rates of $150-250 per night during peak seasons. Most investors achieve profitability within 18-24 months, particularly for 3-4 bedroom properties that can accommodate families visiting local attractions like Camelback Mountain Resort and Kalahari Resort. The market benefits from year-round demand with winter ski tourism and summer outdoor recreation, though seasonal fluctuations can impact returns by 20-30% between peak and off-peak periods. Properties within 10 miles of major ski resorts typically see occupancy rates of 65-75% annually, while those closer to downtown Stroudsburg average 55-65% occupancy with slightly lower nightly rates of $120-180.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market research, providing comprehensive data on short-term rental performance in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. Local real estate agents specializing in investment properties include Keller Williams Pocono Mountains with agents like Sarah Mitchell and David Chen who focus on vacation rental acquisitions, while RE/MAX Best in the Poconos has dedicated investor specialists including Jennifer Walsh and Michael Torres. Pocono Mountain Realty Group, established in 2018, specifically targets Airbnb investors with market analysis services, and Century 21 Geba Realty offers investment property consulting through their commercial division. National services include Awning (formerly RedAwning) which provides end-to-end Airbnb investment services, Roofstock which expanded into short-term rental properties in 2021, and Mashvisor offering property analysis tools for the Stroudsburg market. Local property management companies like Pocono Rental Management and Mountain View Property Services assist with post-purchase operations, while investment consultants such as Stroudsburg Investment Properties LLC and Pocono Airbnb Advisors provide market-specific guidance for maximizing rental yields in the area's tourism-driven economy.