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Hewitt, NJ

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Hewitt, New Jersey skyline

STR Regulations for Hewitt, New Jersey

Overview

Short-term rentals (STRs) are permitted in Hewitt, New Jersey under West Milford Township regulations. As Hewitt is an unincorporated area within West Milford Township (Passaic County), all STR activities are governed by Township Ordinance § 285-13 and associated regulations.

1. Starting a Short-Term Rental Business in Hewitt

  1. Secure Zoning Compliance: Verify your property meets Land Use Regulations requirements.
  2. Obtain Permits:
    • Zoning Permit (separate application required)
    • Fire Alarm Certification
    • Short-Term Rental Permit from Township Clerk's Office
  3. Submit Application: Complete STR permit application to Township Clerk with required fees.
  4. Meet Safety Requirements: Install smoke/CO alarms and fire extinguishers.
  5. Maintain Insurance: Carry minimum $1,000,000 liability insurance naming Township as additional insured.
  6. Annual Renewal: Renew permit annually on original issuance anniversary.

2. Required Documents, Permits, Licenses & Guidelines

Mandatory Application Components:

  • Owner's driver's license for identity verification
  • STR Property Agent/Responsible Party contact details
  • Condominium/Lake Association approval (if applicable)
  • Zoning Compliance Certificate
  • Fire Safety Certification
  • Proof of $1M liability insurance
  • Tax compliance certification
  • Parking availability documentation
  • Community association approvals

Core Permits:

  1. Zoning Permit (pre-STR application requirement)
  2. Fire Alarm Certification
  3. STR Permit ($750/year as of Aug 1, 2024)

State Requirements:

  • NJ Sales Tax (6.625%)
  • Hotel Occupancy Fee (5%) - Exempt if renting <14 days/year

3. Specific Regulations (West Milford Township - Applicable to Hewitt)

Occupancy Limits:

  • Non-owner-occupied STRs: Maximum 1 family or 2 unrelated individuals
  • Only 1 STR unit per multifamily dwelling

Property Eligibility:

  • Condominiums (with association approval)
  • Lake Association properties (with certification)
  • Single-family residences
  • Excludes: Hotels, B&Bs, rooming houses, institutional housing

Operational Requirements:

  • Permit number must appear in all advertisements
  • 24/7 availability of owner/agent/responsible party for complaints
  • Site inspections at rental start/end (if not owner-occupied)
  • Compliance with noise/nuisance ordinances
  • No signage identifying STR property

Annual Caps:

  • Maximum 180 rental days/year
  • No single rental >30 consecutive days

Enforcement Triggers:

  • 2+ substantiated complaints/year → Permit revocation
  • 3+ parking violation complaints/year → Permit revocation

4. Local Authority Contacts

West Milford Township Clerk's Office

  • Address: 1480 Union Valley Rd, West Milford, NJ 07480
  • Phone: (973) 728-2725
  • Website: westmilford.org (STR permit section)

Key Departments:

  • Planning/Building Department: (973) 728-2763
  • Code Enforcement: (973) 728-2793
  • Fire Prevention: (973) 728-2801

5. Source Documentation

  1. West Milford STR Permit Application Requirements
    (Application procedures and prerequisites)

  2. West Milford Ordinance 2024-025 (STR Fee Amendment)
    (Updated permit fees effective August 1, 2024)

  3. Full STR Regulations: Township Code § 285-13
    (Comprehensive regulatory framework)

Key Notes for Investors

  • Permit Fee: $750/year (up from $500 prior to Aug 1, 2024)
  • Tenant Subleasing: Explicitly prohibited by Township code
  • Responsible Party: Must be NJ resident to accept service of process
  • Transferability: Permits non-transferable upon property sale or ownership change

Disclaimer: Always verify current regulations at westmilford.org before initiating operations.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Hewitt?

Hewitt hosts earn a median $55,964/year with $373 ADR and 51% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $93,924+ per year.

See the full Hewitt market breakdown

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Hewitt

Market Saturation Score

036912
Mild Saturation
2/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
2–4 declining months: early saturation pressure - watch for trend persistence.
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Photos of Hewitt

Overview of Hewitt

Hewitt is a small unincorporated community nestled within West Milford Township in Passaic County, in the rugged northern corner of New Jersey. Part of the state's scenic Highlands region, Hewitt carries a quiet, wooded character defined by glacial lakes, dense forest, and rocky outcrops that make it feel a world away from the urbanized parts of New Jersey. West Milford Township as a whole has a population of roughly 25,000, and Hewitt itself is a small village hub rather than a sizable town. It is best known as a gateway to outdoor recreation in the Highlands, including the New Jersey–New York border lake country. Hewitt sits approximately 50 miles northwest of New York City, generally reached by car in about an hour and a half depending on traffic, and it offers visitors an easy escape into a wilder, more forested landscape.

Just minutes from the center of Hewitt, Greenwood Lake anchors much of the area's appeal. This roughly nine-mile-long lake straddles the New Jersey–New York state line and is popular for boating, kayaking, fishing, and lakeside dining. Its marinas and small public beaches give the region a relaxed, vacation-like rhythm in the warmer months and draw visitors from across the metro area who want a mountain-lake experience without a long drive.

A short drive south of Hewitt leads to Long Pond Ironworks State Park, an often-overlooked site where the remains of a 19th-century ironmaking village sit beside the Wanaque River. Visitors come for the easy hiking trails, the old stone ruins, and the sense of stepping into a pre-industrial New York–New Jersey borderland. The park is also a popular trailhead for stretches of the Appalachian Trail, which crosses the region and attracts long-distance hikers.

Within a roughly 20-minute drive, Ringwood State Park offers another major draw, with the historic Ringwood Manor and Skylands Manor set among gardens, forests, and quiet lakes. Sterling Forest State Park, just across the state line in New York, similarly provides miles of hiking and the iconic Sterling Hill observation area, rounding out the destination-style outdoor offerings that surround Hewitt.

Hewitt makes a compelling base for short-term rentals because it offers a rare combination of genuine natural seclusion within easy reach of the New York City metro area. Travelers can spend the day on Greenwood Lake, hike into state-park backcountry, or explore historic iron-mining ruins, then return to a quiet rental tucked into the forest. For owners, that mix of small-town calm and proximity to a major source of visitors gives the community a steady appeal as a year-round getaway destination.

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