Short-term-rental rules
Can you Airbnb in Fairfield (Essex), NJ?
Researched and reviewed by Jake Lee, FounderCurrent as of July 2026How this atlas is maintained
Fairfield Township (Essex County) banned short-term rentals township-wide in 2024. Ordinance #2024-09 amended the zoning code (Chapter 45) to define a short-term rental as any dwelling unit or portion thereof rented by the owner for income-producing purposes for less than 30 consecutive days, and new section 45-12.24 prohibits them in all zones. Rentals of 30 or more consecutive days remain ordinary residential tenancies outside the ban.
What the rules say in Fairfield (Essex)
- Section 45-12.24 (Zoning, Art. IV): 'Short-Term Rentals as defined in Section 45-7.1 shall be prohibited in all zones in the Township.' No permit path exists.
- Section 45-7.1 definition: a short-term rental is 'any dwelling unit, or portion thereof, rented by the property owner, for income-producing purposes, to a person or group for a period of less than 30 consecutive days'; the definition adds 'Short-term rentals shall not be permitted in any zone.'
- The ban covers both whole-home and room/partial rentals (the definition includes any 'portion thereof' of a dwelling unit).
- Rentals of 30+ consecutive days fall outside the definition and are not restricted by this section.
- Hotels and motels are separately regulated under Chapter 29 (Hotel and Motel Room Occupancy Tax) and Chapter 30 (Hotel and Motel Guest Registration and Standards); these do not create a pathway for residential STRs.
- Caution: eCode360 pages for the OTHER 'Township of Fairfield, NJ' (Cumberland County, code FA3553) describe a 2021 STR permit scheme (Chapter 363, Ord. 3-2021, $250 permit). That regime does NOT apply to Fairfield in Essex County, whose code is FA0184.
Sources: Ordinance #2024-09 full text PDF (Township of Fairfield, Essex County) - amends Ch. 45 Zoning to prohibit short-term rentals; eCode360 s. 45-12.24 'Short-Term Rentals Prohibited' (Township of Fairfield, Essex County, code FA0184); eCode360 Chapter 45 Zoning, Township of Fairfield (Essex) - TOC listing s. 45-12.24 (verified via Wayback snapshot 2026-01-06); eCode360 code index, Township of Fairfield, Essex County, NJ (full chapter list; no rental-licensing or STR-permit chapter); Fairfield Township (Essex) official Ordinances page, 230 Fairfield Road, Fairfield NJ 07004; Ordinance 2026-04 (pending 2/9/2026): replaces Ch. 45 Art. XIV Housing Element/Fair Share Plan only - checked, no STR impact. 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.
Fairfield (Essex) short-term-rental FAQ
Can I run a short-term rental (Airbnb) in Fairfield (Essex), NJ?
Fairfield Township (Essex County) banned short-term rentals township-wide in 2024. Ordinance #2024-09 amended the zoning code (Chapter 45) to define a short-term rental as any dwelling unit or portion thereof rented by the owner for income-producing purposes for less than 30 consecutive days, and new section 45-12.24 prohibits them in all zones. Rentals of 30 or more consecutive days remain ordinary residential tenancies outside the ban.
Do I need a permit or registration to run an STR in Fairfield (Essex)?
Section 45-12.24 (Zoning, Art. IV): 'Short-Term Rentals as defined in Section 45-7.1 shall be prohibited in all zones in the Township.' No permit path exists.
What taxes apply to a short-term rental in Fairfield (Essex), 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 Fairfield (Essex)?
Short-term rentals face real limits in Fairfield (Essex) (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 Fairfield (Essex)'s rules?
We'll help you find out what's actually possible for your Fairfield (Essex) property, short-term, mid-term, or otherwise, and run it if it's a fit.
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