Short-term-rental rules
Can you Airbnb in Haworth, NJ?
Researched and reviewed by Jake Lee, FounderCurrent as of July 2026How this atlas is maintained
Haworth has no short-term-rental ordinance, but its zoning code is closed-list and effectively bars STRs borough-wide. Section 26-202.4 states that any use not expressly permitted is prohibited, and § 26-504f adds that any use not designated as a permitted, accessory, or conditional use is specifically prohibited in every zone. No district permits hotels, motels, boarding houses, tourist homes, or any transient lodging; the residential zones that cover nearly the whole borough allow only single-family detached houses occupied by one "family," defined in § 26-301 as a single housekeeping unit "living together as a stable and permanent living unit," which transient nightly guests do not satisfy. Tourist homes are also expressly excluded from permitted home occupations. Longer, non-transient house rentals are permitted, but each new lease or change of occupancy requires a Continued Certificate of Occupancy inspection under § 12-11.2. A review of all ordinances adopted in 2025 and 2026 found no STR action, so under-30-night rentals remain a non-permitted use rather than a licensed activity.
What the rules say in Haworth
- No STR-specific ordinance, rental registration, or lodging license exists anywhere in the Borough code (codified through 05-13-2025; all 2025 and 2026 adopted ordinances reviewed with none pending codification).
- Zoning is closed-list: § 26-202.4 provides that "any use not expressly permitted in this chapter is prohibited," and § 26-504f specifically prohibits any use not designated as permitted, accessory, or conditional in every zone district. No zone lists short-term rentals, hotels, motels, boarding or rooming houses, bed-and-breakfasts, or tourist homes.
- Residential Zones A, C, and E permit only a "single detached house used as a residence by not more than one family" (§ 26-502.1a1), and § 26-301 defines "family" as one or more persons living as a single, non-profit housekeeping unit "living together as a stable and permanent living unit," which excludes transient occupancy.
- Hosted room-rental operations are also barred: "tourist homes" are expressly excluded from the home occupations permitted in residential zones (§ 26-502.1b4).
- Ordinary long-term rentals are allowed, but § 12-11.2 prohibits occupancy after any sale, lease, or change of occupancy until the owner obtains a Continued Certificate of Occupancy inspection from the Construction Official.
Sources: Borough of Haworth Code (eCode360), table of contents, legislation through 05-13-2025; Haworth Code Ch. 26, Art. 26-200 Purpose and Scope, incl. § 26-202.4 Prohibited Uses; Haworth Code § 26-301 Definitions and Descriptions (family, dwelling unit); Haworth Code Art. 26-500 District Regulations (Zones A-G permitted uses; § 26-504f); Haworth Code Ch. 4 Licensing and Business Regulations (no rental or lodging license); Haworth Code Ch. 12 Building and Housing, incl. § 12-11.2 Continued Certificate of Occupancy; Haworth Code Ch. 13 Property Maintenance (no rental provisions); Borough of Haworth Approved Ordinances 2025 (Ord. 2025-01 to 2025-022, none STR-related); Borough of Haworth Approved Ordinances 2026 (Ord. 2026-001 to 2026-010, affordable-housing and fee items, none STR-related); Borough of Haworth Introduced Ordinances (2026-017 FAR amendment only). 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.
Haworth short-term-rental FAQ
Can I run a short-term rental (Airbnb) in Haworth, NJ?
Haworth has no short-term-rental ordinance, but its zoning code is closed-list and effectively bars STRs borough-wide. Section 26-202.4 states that any use not expressly permitted is prohibited, and § 26-504f adds that any use not designated as a permitted, accessory, or conditional use is specifically prohibited in every zone. No district permits hotels, motels, boarding houses, tourist homes, or any transient lodging; the residential zones that cover nearly the whole borough allow only single-family detached houses occupied by one "family," defined in § 26-301 as a single housekeeping unit "living together as a stable and permanent living unit," which transient nightly guests do not satisfy. Tourist homes are also expressly excluded from permitted home occupations. Longer, non-transient house rentals are permitted, but each new lease or change of occupancy requires a Continued Certificate of Occupancy inspection under § 12-11.2. A review of all ordinances adopted in 2025 and 2026 found no STR action, so under-30-night rentals remain a non-permitted use rather than a licensed activity.
Do I need a permit or registration to run an STR in Haworth?
No STR-specific ordinance, rental registration, or lodging license exists anywhere in the Borough code (codified through 05-13-2025; all 2025 and 2026 adopted ordinances reviewed with none pending codification).
What taxes apply to a short-term rental in Haworth, 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 Haworth?
Short-term rentals face real limits in Haworth (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 Haworth's rules?
We'll help you find out what's actually possible for your Haworth property, short-term, mid-term, or otherwise, and run it if it's a fit.
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