Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Jersey City?

Yes. Short-term rentals (STRs) are allowed in Jersey City under Chapter 255 of the Municipal Code, but only by property owners who meet strict eligibility and operational limits. Key constraints:

• Only the property owner may operate an STR (tenants and subtenants are not permitted).
• STRs are prohibited in rent-stabilized/rent-controlled units and in most multi-dwellings with more than four units.
• If the owner is not present, stays are limited to 60 nights per calendar year for that unit.
• Up to two additional units in the same building as the owner’s principal residence may be operated as STRs, subject to the 60-night limit when unhosted and the building/unit eligibility rules.
• A Zoning Compliance Certificate is required before filing the STR permit application.
• A permit is required for each STR unit; applications and renewals are handled by the Division of Housing Preservation.

These rules are actively enforced, with citations and penalties for non-compliance.

Source: Jersey City Division of Housing Preservation (STR program page, Chapter 255 references); Airbnb guidance aligned with city rules.

How to Start an STR Business in Jersey City

1. Confirm eligibility:

   • You are the property owner and operate the STR yourself (no tenant operators).
   • The unit is not rent-controlled/rent-stabilized.
   • Building/unit type is allowed (e.g., owner-occupied single-family; two-family where one unit is owner-occupied; two units in a building with three or four units where another unit is owner-occupied; condos/co-ops only if bylaws allow STRs).
   • If unhosted, you will not exceed 60 nights/year.

2. Obtain a Zoning Compliance Certificate:

   • Request this before applying for the STR permit from the Division of Zoning Enforcement (City Hall Annex, 1 Jackson Square, Jersey City, NJ 07305; phone 201-547-4832; emails Paganos@jcnj.org, Ntaylor@jcnj.org).
   • Specify you are seeking the STR Zoning Compliance Certificate and provide the property address, including unit number if applicable.

3. Prepare required documentation and clear municipal obligations:

   • Ownership and principal residence proof, utility bills, liability insurance ($500,000 minimum), and (if applicable) association documents.
   • Confirm no outstanding Jersey City Municipal Court fines/penalties and no outstanding taxes, water/sewer charges.
   • Designate your STR Property Agent and Responsible Party (must be reachable 24/7).

4. Submit the STR permit application:

   • File online via the City’s STR Permit Registration Portal (Avenue Insights).
   • Initial application fee: $250; annual renewal: $200.

5. Complete inspections:

   • After application review, Housing Code Enforcement and the Fire Official will schedule inspections for fire safety and Property Maintenance Code (Chapter 254) compliance.

6. Receive your permit:

   • If inspections are satisfactory, the Division of Housing Preservation issues the STR permit, typically within 30 days.

7. Operate in compliance:

   • Track hosted vs unhosted nights; never exceed 60 unhosted nights per calendar year per STR unit.
   • Keep liability insurance active (minimum $500,000).
   • Maintain records (owner affidavit, agent/responsible party certifications, notices to transient occupants) on-site.
   • Renew annually and maintain good standing with all city obligations.

Source: Jersey City STR program page; city FAQ; Division of Housing Preservation portal; Airport/Airbnb HELP guidance.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Permit and licensing:

• STR Permit issued by the Division of Housing Preservation (required for each STR unit).
• Zoning Compliance Certificate from the Division of Zoning Enforcement (mandatory before applying for STR permit).

Owner and property information required:

• Street address, tax block and lot, and ward.
• Owner’s personal contact details (name, address, email, telephone).
• If owner is an entity, names and contact info for all partners/officers/directors; articles of formation required.
• STR Property Agent (NJ-licensed real estate agent or designated person) contact information (24/7 availability).
• Responsible Party contact information (24/7 availability).
• Parking details (off-street and on-street spaces adjacent to the premises).

Documentation checklist:

• Proof of current ownership (e.g., deed or tax bill).
• Proof of principal residence (NJ driver’s license or State ID).
• Two recent utility bills (under 30–60 days old depending on form version).
• General liability insurance (minimum $500,000).
• Association documents (bylaws/master deed) if condo/co-op/HOA, confirming STRs are permitted.
• Zoning Compliance Certificate (pre-application).
• Municipal Court clearance (no outstanding fines/penalties; confirm no noise violations under Chapter 222 within past two years).
• Tax and utility clearance (no outstanding taxes, water/sewer charges).
• Owner’s Affidavit; STR Agent Certification; Responsible Party Certification; Notice to Transient Occupants.

Inspections and standards:

• Fire safety and Property Maintenance Code (Chapter 254) inspections are required before permit issuance.

Fees:

• Initial permit: $250
• Annual renewal: $200

Forms and portals:

• STR Permit Registration Portal (Avenue Insights)
• Zoning – STR Application (Division of Zoning)
• STR Checklist & Process (Revised 4-10-25)
• STR Form Set: Owner Affidavit, Required Certifications, Notice to Occupants (Updated 2.1.2023)
• STR FAQ (4-9-25)
• Permit portal for Lead-Based Paint inspections and related uploads (affidavit required)

Source: Jersey City Housing Preservation division pages and forms; city FAQ; permitting portals.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals: Jersey City (City/County/State)

City-level rules (Chapter 255):

• Eligibility: Only property owners may operate STRs; tenants are not permitted. Pre-existing tenant operations were time-limited and have sunset.
• Rent-controlled units: Not allowed for STRs.
• Multi-dwellings: STRs allowed primarily in small buildings under the rules summarized below; generally prohibited in buildings with more than four units.
• Hosted vs unhosted: Owner presence is permitted; when not present, the STR may be operated no more than 60 nights per calendar year.
• Additional units: Up to two additional units in the same building as the owner’s principal residence can be STRs, subject to the same 60-night limit when unhosted and the building/unit eligibility rules.
• Association-governed properties: Condos/co-ops/HOAs may allow or prohibit STRs via bylaws or governing documents; proof is required.
• Occupancy/duration: STR is defined as rental of 28 consecutive days or fewer.
• Safety and maintenance: Must comply with fire safety and Property Maintenance Code (Chapter 254) standards.
• Permits: Required per STR unit; renew annually.

Property types eligible (per city FAQ):

• Condo/HOA/co-op where the association’s governing documents permit STRs and the owner identifies a unit within the association as their principal residence.
• Owner-occupied single-family residences.
• Two-family residences where one unit is owner-occupied.
• Two units within a 3–4 unit multiple dwelling (non-association) where another unit is owner-occupied.
• No more than three rooms within an owner-occupied single-family residence operating as a bed and breakfast (occupancy limits apply).

County-level guidance:

• No county-specific STR permitting was identified in the provided sources. Jersey City’s Division of Housing Preservation administers city permits and inspections.

State-level considerations:

• New Jersey Lead-Based Paint law (P.L. 2021, C.182) requires periodic lead-based paint inspections for certain rental dwellings built before 1978. Inspections are required every three years or upon tenant turnover, whichever is less, with specified exemptions and a $1,000/week penalty for non-compliance. The Division of Housing Preservation administers inspections in Jersey City.

Taxes and fees:

• Municipal Occupancy Tax: 6% of the rental charge (excluding cleaning/service fees).
• NJ State Sales Tax: 6.625% applies to the rental.
• Hosts must collect and remit these taxes in accordance with New Jersey law.

Exemptions and enforcement:

• Lead inspection exemptions exist (e.g., built 1978 or later; certain seasonal rentals; properties certified lead-free; multiple dwellings with 10+ years of registration and no outstanding lead violations).
• STR enforcement includes inspections and penalties for violations; operating without a permit or exceeding permitted nights is subject to fines and potential legal action.

Sources: Jersey City STR program page; city STR FAQ; NJ DCA Lead Paint program; Steadily overview aligned with city rules.

Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs)

Division of Housing Preservation (STR Permits and Enforcement)

• Phone: 201-547-4821
• Address: Three Jackson Square (aka 342 Martin Luther King Drive), Jersey City, NJ 07305
• Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM; last walk-in 3:30 PM
• Director: Shyrone Richardson
• STR Permit Registration Portal: Avenue Insights

Division of Zoning Enforcement (Zoning Compliance Certificates)

• Address: City Hall Annex, 1 Jackson Square, Jersey City, NJ 07305
• Phone: 201-547-4832
• Emails: Paganos@jcnj.org; Ntaylor@jcnj.org

Office of the Municipal Prosecutor (Court Fines/Noise Violations Clearance)

• Address: 365 Summit Avenue, Room 219, Jersey City, NJ 07306
• Phone: 201-209-6755
• Email: prosecutor@jcnj.org

Division of Collections (Tax and Utility Clearance)

• Address: City Hall, 280 Grove Street, Room 101, Jersey City, NJ 07302
• Phone: 201-547-5124
• Email: jsisk@jcnj.org

General City Information

• Phone: 201-547-5000
• Address: 280 Grove Street, Jersey City NJ 07302

Source: Jersey City Housing Preservation and related division pages.

Source Links and Document Library

City and program pages:

• Division of Housing Preservation – Short-Term Rental (STR) program overview and links (permits, checklists, forms)
• Zoning – Short Term Rental Application (Division of Zoning)
• STR Permit Registration Portal (Avenue Insights)
• STR Checklist & Process (Revised 4-10-25)
• STR Form Set: Owner Affidavit, Required Certifications, Notice to Occupants (Updated 2.1.2023)
• STR FAQ (4-9-25)

Ordinances and legal references:

• Jersey City Municipal Code – Chapter 255 (Short-Term Rentals)
• Ord. 25-059 (Chapter 255 – STR) PDF
• Ord. 19-077 (Chapter 255 – STR) PDF
• Rent Control Ordinance (Chapter 260)

Lead-based paint regulations and resources:

• NJ Department of Community Affairs – Lead-Based Paint Inspections
• Lead Remediation and Abatement Program (LRAP)
• Ord. 23-018 (Lead Inspections)
• Jersey City Lead Inspection Affidavit

Permitting and supporting portals:

• Jersey City Online Permitting & Licensing (Energov)
• Permit portal for Lead-Based Paint inspections and “Certified Lead Evaluation Registration”

Airbnb and third-party compliance guides:

• Airbnb Help Center – Jersey City, NJ (registration assistance and rules summary)
• Steadily – Airbnb & Short-Term Rental Laws in Jersey City (2025)
• Hostaway – Airbnb Rules in New Jersey (city-by-city rules, fees, occupancy guidance)

—

This guide is intended for investors and hosts to understand and comply with Jersey City’s STR regime. Always consult the official city divisions listed above before operating, and review the most current ordinances and forms on the city’s website.