Short-Term Rentals Short-Term Rentals
short term rentals
Short-Term
Rentals
Jackson Township has regulated short-term rentals since 2018. On October 1, 2026 the Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance No. 2026-100, which amends and restates Part 3 of the Township Code in its entirety. This page explains who needs a permit, how to get one, and what the rules are once a permit is issued.
A short-term rental is a dwelling unit rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days. A permit is required whether or not the owner is present during the stay, and whether or not the rental is booked through a platform such as Airbnb or Vrbo. A lease written for 30 days or more is still a short-term rental if the stay actually runs shorter than that.
Before anything else, find out whether a short-term rental is allowed at the property. That question is answered by Chapter 27, the Zoning Ordinance, and not by the short-term rental ordinance. Short-term rentals are prohibited in the Residential (R-1) District and are permitted only where Chapter 27 expressly allows them. A rental lawfully established on or before January 27, 2023 may continue as a nonconforming use and must be registered with the Zoning Officer.
Contact the Zoning Officer through the Township office for a written determination before you buy a property, list it, or spend money on an application.
Three things people get wrong
● A permit does not transfer when a property is sold. The permit ends on the transfer, and the buyer must apply as a new applicant before renting.
● A permit for a nonconforming short-term rental cannot be renewed or reinstated after a revocation or a missed renewal. A lapse can end the use permanently.
● Chapter 27, not this permit, decides whether a short-term rental is allowed at the property.
HOW TO APPLY
Read the ordinance first, then submit the application, the fee, and every supporting document together in one packet. The Township does not act on a partial application.
Within 15 business days the Township tells you in writing either that the application is complete or exactly what is missing. Once the application is complete, the Township contacts you to schedule the inspection. The Township issues or denies the permit within 30 days after the application is complete and the inspection is done.
Permit and inspection fees are set by resolution of the Board of Supervisors. The current fee schedule is available at the Township office and on this website. Fees are not refundable. Pay by exact cash, check or money order payable to Jackson Township. The Township does not accept credit cards or online payments.
RENEWING A PERMIT
A permit is good for one year from the date it is issued. File a complete renewal, with the fee and all attachments, at least 30 days before the permit expires. The Township does not send expiration notices and does not grant extensions.
If you file a complete renewal on time, your existing permit stays in effect until the Township issues a written decision. An inspection is required at renewal if the Township has not completed a full site inspection in the 24 months before the permit expires, or if something governed by the ordinance has materially changed.
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