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Pocono Township

Address

112 Township Drive
Tannersville, PA 18372
United States

Email
jgambino@poconopa.gov
Tax Rate
3.87 mills

Pocono Township is a dynamic and strategically located municipality in central Monroe County, Pennsylvania, serving as a commercial and recreational hub in the Pocono Mountains. With its mix of natural beauty, tourism infrastructure, and growing residential zones, it’s one of the most visible and visited townships in the region.


🗺️ Geographic & Civic Snapshot

  • Established: 1816
  • Area: ~34.4 square miles (89.1 km²), mostly land
  • Elevation: ~961 feet (293 m)
  • Population: 10,868 (2020 Census)
  • School District: Pocono Mountain School District

🏘️ Communities & Features

  • Tannersville: The township’s civic and commercial center, home to the municipal offices and major retail corridors
  • Camelback Mountain Resort: A year-round destination for skiing, snowboarding, waterparks, and mountain adventures
  • Big Pocono State Park: Located at the summit of Camelback Mountain, offering panoramic views and hiking trails

🏛️ History & Identity

  • Railroad Legacy: Like many Pocono communities, Pocono Township grew with the expansion of the Delaware, Lackawanna & Western Railroad
  • Tourism Roots: Its location and elevation made it a natural draw for resorts and vacationers since the 19th century
  • Modern Growth: Now a blend of residential neighborhoods, commercial zones, and protected natural areas

🏠 Short-Term Rentals (STRs)

  • Permitted Zones: Allowed only in Commercial (C) and Recreational District (RD) zones
  • Restricted Zones: Not permitted in R-1 and R-2 residential zones
  • Requirements: Must obtain a change-of-use permit and annual license

🌄 Regional Identity

Pocono Township is often seen as the gateway to the high Poconos, balancing tourism, conservation, and community development. Its proximity to major highways (Routes 611, 715, and I-80) makes it a key transit and economic node, while its natural assets preserve the region’s Appalachian character.

Short Term Rental Information

Short-term rentals or Transient Dwelling Units as they are referred to as in Pocono Township are not allowed in R-1 and R-2 zoning areas in Pocono Township. Short term rentals are only allowed in C (Commercial) zones and RD (Recreational District) zones. An initial change of use permit under zoning and an annual license is required for a Transient Dwelling Unit Permit (STR)  See rules and regulations as well as permit application below.

Pocono Township News

Preschool Holiday Storytime:  Recommended ages 2-6. Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa stories & simple craft. Walk-in.

Hughes:  Mon, Dec 4, 10:00 am or Tues, Dec 5, 10:00 am

Smithfields:  Mon, Dec 4, 10:00 am

Pocono Township:  Thurs, Dec 7, 10:00 am

Holiday Craft ’n Sip:  Ages 3 & up.  Sunday, Dec 10, 1:00-2:30 pm. Make a variety of holiday ornaments and sip on “fancy” chocolate milk. Registration begins Mon, Nov 27. 570-421-0800 x305.

POCONO TWP., MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Police have charged an employee of Weis Market for allegedly stealing from the register multiple times.

On October 17th, 2023, the Pocono Township Police Department was dispatched to a retail theft at the North Face Outlet Store at the Crossings in.

POCONO TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — We have an update to a story we've been following in the Poconos about plans to cover nearly 500 ...

POCONO TWP., MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A man was charged after police say he chased a woman down and fired multiple shots toward an occupied ...

POCONO TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)— A man in Pocono Township was arrested after allegedly shooting into a house and fleeing the scene.

SCOTRUN, POCONO TOWNSHIP (WBRE/WYOU) — Police say, two have been charged in a Pocono Township cooking oil theft.


At her Town Hall at Northampton Community College's Monroe Campus on Saturday, Sept. 16, state Rep. Maureen Madden, D-Monroe, was joined by Pocono Township manager Taylor Muñoz and Brodhead Watershed Association executive director Dr. Alex Jackson to discuss the proliferation of distribution centers and warehouses in Monroe County, as well as a variety of other topics.

More at RepMadden.com

POCONO TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Crews battled a fire in Monroe ... without power as strong storms tear through northeast, central Pa.

Please exercise caution when traveling the following roads during the time period beginning Wednesday (8/30).

The Township’s contractor will stripe approximately 30 miles of roads – we cannot state exact times and days of specific roads, but ask that you simply exercise caution when traveling on any of the following roads.

Please note that we are required by the state to stripe all Township roads with double yellow and white lines in order to remain eligible for the annual liquid fuels funding the Township receives.

POCONO TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Officers have issued an arrest warrant for a woman in Monroe County after she sends officers on a high-speed chase.

According to Pocono Township Police Department on August 19 around 9:50 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a white Tesla SUV with an expired and suspended registration.

During the traffic stop, police say they made contact with 29-year-old Jamisa A. Mclvor from East Stroudsburg who had an expired and suspended driver's license.

MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A woman is being charged after police say she was found unconscious at Camelback Lodge and then began assaulting, staff, EMS, and officers.

According to the Pocono Township Police Department, on August 13 around 10:00 p.m., officers were called to the Camelback Lodge for an intoxicated woman found unconscious in the water park who was trying to fight employees when she awoke.

As paving is becoming more expensive, a Monroe County municipality is looking to save money by trying out a different process to fix its roads. Pocono Township is the first in the area to try out microsurfacing.

A preventative maintenance sealing treatment that’s used to extend the life of blacktop roadways is making its debut today in Pocono Township on Laurel Lake Road. It’s called microsurfacing, an alternative to tar and chip. 

Printable Program Schedule for Kids available here!

Programs for Kids

Special Musical Storytime Ages 2-5. Join us for a special Storytime with our Bookmobile staff who will read stories and entertain you with songs on the guitar and banjo. Walk-in.

TANNERSVILLE, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Police are searching for a man they say stole over $1,200 worth of clothing from a store at the Pocono Premium Outlets.

According to the Pocono Township Police Department, on August 14 around 7:00 p.m., the man pictured below entered the Polo Ralph Lauren Outlet in Tannersville.

POCONO TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — State police were on the scene of a fugitive arrest in Monroe County.

Tuesday afternoon, police responded to the 400 block of Scotrun Avenue in Scotrun to assist in the arrest a man they say had a felony warrant.

EAST STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Police are charging a woman they say stole a credit card and used it to purchase multiple DoorDash orders.

According to the Pocono Township Police Department, an officer was contacted by a victim who reported her credit card was illegally being used to make several purchases.

The victim told police in May, she was with Michelle Henderson, 39, from East Stroudsburg, at her house when allegedly at some point Henderson took the victim's credit card to put it on her DoorDash account to order Wendy's. 

TANNERSVILLE, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Police are searching for a man they say committed a theft at the Pocono Premium Outlets.

According to the Pocono Township Police Department, the man pictured is wanted for questioning regarding a retail theft incident.

 POCONO TOWNSHIP, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A resort in the Poconos is celebrating the opening of a multi-million dollar expansion, aimed to bring thousands of people to the area.

The Great Wolf Lodge brings smiles to people who are hitting the waterpark.

But now with its 125 million dollar expansion adding 7 new slides the fun just keeps on growing.

Pocono Township’s TLC Dog Park (corner of SR 611 & SR 715) online registration is now live at the following link:

https://poconorecdept.recdesk.com/Community/Membership

This link is found on www.poconopa.gov under Facility Reservations & Memberships -> Memberships.

TANNERSVILLE, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — A teen has been arrested and charged after police say he attempted to flee a party and dragged an officer with his car.

According to the Pocono Township Police Department, on Saturday, July 22 around 2:30 a.m. officers were called for a reported loud party in the area of Birch Hill Drive in Cobble Creek Estates.

TANNERSVILLE, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Police are searching for two men who they say distracted employees to steal from a clothing store at the Crossings Outlets.

According to the Pocono Township Police Department, officers were called to the Hugo Boss store in the Crossings Outlets for a reported theft on Sunday around 4:00 p.m.

The Small Business Administration has established a Business Recovery Center (BRC) at the Pocono Township municipal building (112 Township Drive) to assist all businesses affected by the June 25, 2023 Fountain Court fire.

Resources provided include low-interest Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) through the U.S. Small Business Administration.

The BRC will function through Thursday, August 3 and will be open Monday-Friday (8 AM – 4 PM) and Saturday (10 AM to 2 PM).

Please call 570-629-1922 for more information.

Pocono Township’s 2023 road paving bid was awarded earlier this year to H&K for paving of the following roads:

Antler Road
Buck Valley Circle
Buck Valley Drive
Deer Lane
Doe Lane
Fawn Lane
Joanne Court
Joanne Road
Jupiter Court
Mackenzie Lane
Park Lane
Sunlite Lane
Tara Hill Drive

Pocono Township Events

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PMSD Calendar

Source Event Date
Passover Ends (Jewish) -
Holy Friday (Orthodox Christian) -
Orthodox Easter (Christian) -
Yom HaShoah (Jewish) -
Tax Day -
PMSD School Board Meeting -
Earth Day -
Act 80 Day - 3 Hour Early Dismissal for Students -
PMSD School Board Meeting -
National Day of Prayer (Interfaith) -
Mother's Day -
EHS Biology Keystone Testing -
EHS Biology Keystone Tutoring -
EHS Literature Keystone Testing -
Ascension Day -
EHS Literature Keystone Testing -
EHS Make-up Keystone Testing -
EHS Algebra Keystone Testing -
EHS Algebra Keystone Testing -
Swiftwater Intermediate School Grade 4 Spring Chorus Concert -
Swiftwater Intermediate School Grade 5 Spring Chorus Concert -
EHS Make-up Keystone Testing -
PMSD School Board Meeting -
Shavuot (Jewish) -
EHS Make-up Keystone Testing -