Short-term-rental rules
Can you Airbnb in West Milford, NJ?
Researched and reviewed by Jake Lee, FounderCurrent as of July 2026How this atlas is maintained
Short-term rentals (30 days or less, capped at 180 rental days per calendar year) are legal in West Milford but require an annual permit from the Township Clerk under Code section 285-13, with a $500 nonrefundable registration fee plus inspection fees. Owners need a fire safety certification, a zoning compliance certificate, $1,000,000 liability insurance naming the Township, and a New Jersey resident responsible party reachable 24/7 who responds within 2 hours. Non-owner-occupied STRs are limited to one family or two unrelated individuals, tenants cannot sublet as STRs, and two substantiated complaints in a year can trigger permit revocation.
What the rules say in West Milford
- STR defined as rental of a dwelling unit for 30 or fewer consecutive days, up to a cumulative 180 days per calendar year (285-13.C)
- Annual permit from the Township Clerk required before renting or advertising; $500 nonrefundable application/registration fee plus certification and inspection fees; permit valid 1 year, non-transferable, expires on change of ownership (285-13.E)
- STRs allowed only in single-family residences and in condominium or lake association units where association documents permit them; condo approval letter or lake association notice required with application (285-13.D(2), F(1)(d))
- Max one STR unit per multifamily dwelling and one per single-family dwelling; non-owner-occupied STRs limited to no more than one family or two unrelated individuals (285-13.D(3))
- Application requires fire prevention certification, zoning compliance certificate, proof of $1,000,000 general liability insurance naming the Township as additional insured, and certification that taxes and code violations are current (285-13.F(1))
- Annual fire safety inspection required (285-13.F(2))
- A New Jersey resident responsible party or agent must be reachable 24/7 and respond to complaints within 2 hours (285-13.C, D(4), H(7))
- Permit number must appear in every advertisement; no signage identifying the property as an STR; primary occupant must be 21 or older; one rental contract at a time (285-13.F(3), H(2), H(3))
- Tenants may not apply for STR permits or sublease on a short-term basis (285-13.H(10))
- Permit revocable after two or more substantiated complaints in one year, with a one-year bar on reapplying (285-13.H(8), H(9))
Sources: Township of West Milford Code section 285-13 Short-Term Rentals (official township PDF, full ordinance text); Township of West Milford Short Term Rental Application information sheet (official township PDF); West Milford Messenger: Council approves short-term rental ordinance (December 2019, adopted 5-1). 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.
West Milford short-term-rental FAQ
Can I run a short-term rental (Airbnb) in West Milford, NJ?
Short-term rentals (30 days or less, capped at 180 rental days per calendar year) are legal in West Milford but require an annual permit from the Township Clerk under Code section 285-13, with a $500 nonrefundable registration fee plus inspection fees. Owners need a fire safety certification, a zoning compliance certificate, $1,000,000 liability insurance naming the Township, and a New Jersey resident responsible party reachable 24/7 who responds within 2 hours. Non-owner-occupied STRs are limited to one family or two unrelated individuals, tenants cannot sublet as STRs, and two substantiated complaints in a year can trigger permit revocation.
Do I need a permit or registration to run an STR in West Milford?
Annual permit from the Township Clerk required before renting or advertising; $500 nonrefundable application/registration fee plus certification and inspection fees; permit valid 1 year, non-transferable, expires on change of ownership (285-13.E)
What taxes apply to a short-term rental in West Milford, 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 West Milford?
Palisade Stays launches and runs short-term rentals for owners end to end. Where a short-term rental works in West Milford, we can handle setup, listing, guest operations, and turnovers. Start with a quick property-fit assessment.
Thinking about a short-term rental in West Milford?
Palisade Stays launches and runs short-term rentals for owners end to end. Tell us about your property and we'll see if it's a fit.