Short-term-rental rules
Can you Airbnb in North Bergen, NJ?
Researched and reviewed by Jake Lee, FounderCurrent as of July 2026How this atlas is maintained
Short-term rentals (28 or fewer consecutive days) are legal in North Bergen only for owners renting property they occupy as their principal residence, under an annual $500 township permit. Owner-occupied dwelling units are capped at 60 rental nights per calendar year, no person or entity may hold more than two permits, and tenants are barred from operating STRs, so non-owner-occupied investor Airbnbs are effectively prohibited. Ordinance 706-26 (adopted March 18, 2026) replaced a 2023 near-total ban and the original 2017 owner-occupancy law.
What the rules say in North Bergen
- Permit required: no person may operate, list, or advertise an STR (occupancy of 28 or fewer consecutive days) without a valid annual permit, and permits are issued only to applicants who are both the owner and principal resident of the property (Ord. 706-26 Sec. III.A, VII.I)
- Eligible properties only: (1) condo/HOA/co-op units where the governing documents permit STRs and the owner's principal residence is in the association, (2) single-family dwellings, and (3) two- to four-unit dwellings where the owner occupies one unit (Sec. III.B)
- 60-night cap: rentals of an owner-occupied dwelling unit are limited to 60 total nights per calendar year; each night over the cap is a separate violation (Sec. III.E)
- Tenants prohibited: a tenant may not apply for a permit or sublease any portion of a property short-term, and this overrides any private lease clause permitting it (Sec. III.F)
- Two-permit limit: no person or entity may own or hold an interest in more than two STR permits township-wide, including indirect interests through entities or boards (Sec. III.G)
- Application requirements: $500 non-refundable fee (initial and each annual renewal), proof of principal residency and ownership, owner's affidavit, designated STR agent and responsible party with 24/7 contact, $500,000 minimum general liability insurance, fire-safety and property-maintenance inspection, Zoning Determination Letter, municipal court compliance certificate, and no outstanding taxes or water/sewer charges (Secs. IV-V, VII.I)
- Operational rules: responsible party or agent must be reachable 24/7 and respond to complaints within two hours; no STR signage on the property; permit number must appear in every listing or advertisement; owner must keep a guest log available to the Township; the booking guest must be 21 or older; no advertising before a permit is issued (Secs. VII-VIII)
- Penalties: fines of $100 to $750 per day per violation, permit suspension or revocation after substantiated complaints or code violations; permits are non-transferable and expire automatically when the property changes ownership (Secs. VII-VIII)
- Excluded housing: no STRs in HUD, state-agency, or otherwise affordable/rent-restricted housing, and hotels, motels, rooming houses, dormitories, senior/nursing facilities and similar uses may not operate as STRs (Sec. III.C-D)
- Grandfathering: properties with a valid STR registration under the prior ordinances (326-17 as amended by 610-23) when 706-26 took effect may continue under those prior rules; the Township's announcement states previously registered rentals must apply for a permit under the new ordinance within 90 days of it taking effect (Sec. I.A.5; township announcement)
- History: Ord. 326-17 (2017) prohibited STRs except owner-occupied with registration; Ord. 610-23 (adopted Sept 20, 2023) deleted the owner-occupied allowance, banning all new STRs and grandfathering only pre-Sept 6, 2023 registrants; Ord. 706-26 (adopted March 18, 2026, effective 20 days after passage) superseded both and re-opened a narrow owner-occupied permit path
Sources: Ordinance #706-26 full text (Township of North Bergen official PDF, read in full); Township of North Bergen official announcement: North Bergen Adopts New Ordinance Regulating Short-Term Rentals (April 2026); Ordinance #610-23 full text (2023 amendment prohibiting new STRs, Township official PDF, read in full); Hudson County View: North Bergen OKs measure to limit short-term rentals to owner-occupied buildings (5-0 adoption, official quotes). 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.
North Bergen short-term-rental FAQ
Can I run a short-term rental (Airbnb) in North Bergen, NJ?
Short-term rentals (28 or fewer consecutive days) are legal in North Bergen only for owners renting property they occupy as their principal residence, under an annual $500 township permit. Owner-occupied dwelling units are capped at 60 rental nights per calendar year, no person or entity may hold more than two permits, and tenants are barred from operating STRs, so non-owner-occupied investor Airbnbs are effectively prohibited. Ordinance 706-26 (adopted March 18, 2026) replaced a 2023 near-total ban and the original 2017 owner-occupancy law.
Do I need a permit or registration to run an STR in North Bergen?
Permit required: no person may operate, list, or advertise an STR (occupancy of 28 or fewer consecutive days) without a valid annual permit, and permits are issued only to applicants who are both the owner and principal resident of the property (Ord. 706-26 Sec. III.A, VII.I)
What taxes apply to a short-term rental in North Bergen, 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 North Bergen?
Short-term rentals face real limits in North Bergen (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 North Bergen's rules?
We'll help you find out what's actually possible for your North Bergen property, short-term, mid-term, or otherwise, and run it if it's a fit.
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