A deck collapse in the Poconos last year has prompted local officials to introduce an ordinance that would impose new regulations and deck inspection requirements on the town's short term rental properties. The collapse occurred in 2017, when twelve teenagers were hurt during a weekend party at a vacation rental in a gated community called Saw Creek. The property - known locally as one of the area's 'party houses' - was listed on the popular online lodging marketplace AirBnbN as having a capacity for up to 24 guests. At the time of the accident, the property was in compliance with all local ordinances and homeowners' association rules, though the home's 600-sq. ft. deck was apparently built without a permit, according to a news report in the Pocono Record. To address that problem, the local Board of Supervisors wants to require inspections of short-term rental properties by a third-party building and codes inspector, though the scope of the inspection remains unclear. Short term rental owners would be required to first obtain a permit from the township before renting properties for less than 30 days. The permit fee would cost $150, part of which would pay for the property inspection fee.
