Short-term-rental rules
Can you Airbnb in Maplewood, NJ?
Researched and reviewed by Jake Lee, FounderCurrent as of July 2026How this atlas is maintained
Maplewood has no short-term-rental ordinance, but its zoning code permits only expressly listed uses and defines residential occupancy as a housekeeping unit living together "on a fairly stable rather than transient basis," so nightly whole-home Airbnb-style rentals are not a permitted use in residential zones. The only lawful short-term lodging in a home is a licensed, owner-occupied bed-and-breakfast, a conditional use limited to three residential zones with a township-wide cap of four licenses. Any dwelling rented at all must also be registered and licensed annually with the Township.
What the rules say in Maplewood
- No STR-specific ordinance exists: eCode360 full-code searches for "short-term rental" and "Airbnb" return no code provisions (checked through the June 2026 new-laws list; the only "short-term rental" hit is meeting notes about the Silvercar car-rental service).
- Zoning is permissive-exclusive: "All uses not expressly permitted in this chapter are prohibited" (Ch. 271, Zoning Provisions / Prohibited uses, §271-67).
- Residential districts permit single-family dwellings occupied by a FAMILY, defined as "one housekeeping unit"; a HOUSEKEEPING UNIT is persons living together "on a fairly stable rather than transient basis" (§271-3B), which excludes transient/nightly occupancy, so dedicated whole-home STR use is not a permitted residential use.
- The only sanctioned home-based transient lodging is a licensed bed-and-breakfast (Ch. 87, Ord. 2357-06/2358-06): owner-occupied detached single-family residence, max 4 guest rooms and 8 guests, breakfast-only food service, $100/yr license, $2,000,000 liability insurance, daily guest register, hotel-tax registration, and Planning Board site plan approval.
- Bed-and-breakfasts are permitted only as a conditional use in the R1-5, R1-7 and R2-4 zones (§271-10B(13)); no more than 4 B&B licenses may be outstanding township-wide at any one time; each guest is limited to staying no more than 7 days within any 30-day period.
- Every rental unit (including single-family homes) must be registered and licensed annually with the Township under Ch. 209 Art. II: $75/yr fee, license year Mar 1-Feb 28, inspection at least every 24 months; occupancy of an unregistered unit is prohibited (§209-22), and the "rental facility" definition (any building advertised or held out as supplying living accommodations for pay) has no minimum-duration carve-out.
- Long-term room rental is separately allowed on a limited basis: up to one roomer/boarder per dwelling unit as an accessory use in the R-1 districts, and senior-citizen owner-occupants may take up to two boarders (§271-67/§271-69.1); boarders occupy on a residency, not nightly, basis.
- Operating a bed-and-breakfast (i.e., paid overnight lodging in a residence) without a license carries fines up to $1,250, with each day a separate violation (Ch. 87).
Sources: Maplewood Code Ch. 209 Art. II, Residential Rental Units (eCode360); Maplewood Code Ch. 87, Bed-And-Breakfasts (eCode360); Maplewood Code §271-3B, Zoning definitions incl. HOUSEKEEPING UNIT, HOTEL, BOARDER, BED-AND-BREAKFAST (eCode360); Maplewood Code §271-10, Conditional uses incl. B&B limited to R1-5/R1-7/R2-4 zones (eCode360); Maplewood Code §271-67, Prohibited uses (all uses not expressly permitted are prohibited) and residence-district permitted uses (eCode360); eCode360 full-code search of Maplewood code for "short-term rental" (no code provision); eCode360 full-code search of Maplewood code for "airbnb" (no results); eCode360 full-code search of Maplewood code for "transient"; Maplewood new laws list (15 ordinances pending codification through June 2026, none STR-related); Ord. 4002-26 (5-19-2026) amending Ch. 209 rental registration fees (not STR); Ord. 3168-25 amending Ch. 209 Art. I rent control (not STR). Last reviewed 2026-07.
How short-term rentals are regulated in New Jersey
- New Jersey has no single statewide short-term-rental ban. Instead, each municipality sets its own rules through local ordinances, which is why neighboring Bergen towns can differ completely.
- Statewide, short-term rentals are generally subject to NJ Sales Tax and the State Occupancy Fee (and, in some areas, local taxes) on stays under 90 days, unless booked through certain channels that collect on the host's behalf.
- Common municipal controls include registration or permits, owner-occupancy requirements, minimum-stay rules, caps on rental nights, and zoning limits on which districts allow short-term use.
- Rules change. An ordinance can be added or amended at any time. Always confirm the current rule with the municipality before listing.
Maplewood short-term-rental FAQ
Can I run a short-term rental (Airbnb) in Maplewood, NJ?
Maplewood has no short-term-rental ordinance, but its zoning code permits only expressly listed uses and defines residential occupancy as a housekeeping unit living together "on a fairly stable rather than transient basis," so nightly whole-home Airbnb-style rentals are not a permitted use in residential zones. The only lawful short-term lodging in a home is a licensed, owner-occupied bed-and-breakfast, a conditional use limited to three residential zones with a township-wide cap of four licenses. Any dwelling rented at all must also be registered and licensed annually with the Township.
Do I need a permit or registration to run an STR in Maplewood?
Zoning is permissive-exclusive: "All uses not expressly permitted in this chapter are prohibited" (Ch. 271, Zoning Provisions / Prohibited uses, §271-67).
What taxes apply to a short-term rental in Maplewood, New Jersey?
Short-term stays in New Jersey are generally subject to NJ Sales Tax and the State Occupancy Fee (plus any local fees), unless collected for you by the booking platform. A tax professional can confirm what applies to your property.
Can Palisade Stays manage a short-term rental in Maplewood?
Short-term rentals face real limits in Maplewood (see the status above), so it may not be the right play. Palisade Stays can still help you understand what's possible for your property, including a compliant mid-term or longer rental, and run it if it's a fit. Start with a quick assessment.
Navigating Maplewood's rules?
We'll help you find out what's actually possible for your Maplewood property, short-term, mid-term, or otherwise, and run it if it's a fit.
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