Short-term-rental rules
Can you Airbnb in Woodcliff Lake, NJ?
Researched and reviewed by Jake Lee, FounderCurrent as of July 2026How this atlas is maintained
Woodcliff Lake bans short-term rentals outright. Since 2016 (Ord. No. 16-08), renting any dwelling in whole or in part for 30 consecutive days or less is a prohibited "vacation rental," and even advertising or platform-facilitating one violates the code, with fines of $250 to $1,000 per day plus forfeiture of rental revenue. Only borough-approved hotels, motels, and B&Bs are exempt; rentals over 30 days are lawful but require a certificate of occupancy.
What the rules say in Woodcliff Lake
- Vacation rental defined: rental of any dwelling unit, in whole or in part, to any person(s) for transient use of 30 consecutive days or less; dwellings are approved only for permanent residential occupancy, not transient occupancy (sec. 380-112).
- Prohibition: no person, including any hosting-platform operator, may undertake, maintain, authorize, aid, facilitate, or advertise any vacation rental activity that does not comply with the code (sec. 380-113, 'Vacation rentals prohibited').
- Carve-out: rentals within borough-approved hotels, motels, and bed-and-breakfasts are not vacation rentals (sec. 380-112).
- Penalties: first offense $250-$1,000 per day; repeat offenses $750-$1,000 per day; violators must reimburse investigative costs and remit all illegally obtained rental revenue; any interested person may sue for an injunction with fee-shifting (sec. 380-115).
- Mayor and Council may promulgate implementing regulations and fees (sec. 380-114), but no STR permit or registration pathway is currently codified.
- Zoning backstop: in the R-8.15, R-15, R-15 II, R-22.5, and R-30 districts, lots may be used only for single-family dwellings occupied exclusively by one family, and any use not listed is expressly prohibited (sec. 380-11); 'hotel' (a building sheltering more than two transient or permanent guests for profit) is not a permitted residential use, and boardinghouses/rooming houses are prohibited even in business districts.
- Longer-term rentals (over 30 days) are permitted but require an occupancy permit / continued certificate of occupancy before any tenant occupies a dwelling (Ch. 131, Art. II, secs. 131-5 to 131-12; Ord. No. 91-14); that article exempts hotels/motels generally occupied under 30 successive days.
Sources: Woodcliff Lake Code Ch. 380 Art. XVI, Short-Term Vacation Rentals in Residential Properties (secs. 380-112 to 380-115, Ord. 16-08) - eCode360 (full text); Woodcliff Lake Code Ch. 380 Zoning, chapter table of contents - eCode360; Ch. 380 Art. IV Residential Districts, sec. 380-11 Principal uses (single-family only; unlisted uses expressly prohibited) - eCode360; Ch. 380 Art. II Terminology (definitions: DWELLING (SINGLE-FAMILY), FAMILY, HOTEL, BOARDINGHOUSE, ROOMING HOUSE) - eCode360; Ch. 131 Certificates, Permits and Licenses, Art. II Certificates of Occupancy (secs. 131-5 to 131-12) - eCode360; Ch. 131 Art. II Certificates of Occupancy full text (Ord. 91-14; CO required to rent; hotel/motel under-30-day exemption) - eCode360; Borough of Woodcliff Lake, NJ Code, full table of contents (legislation through 08-18-2025) - eCode360; Ch. 380 Art. VI Business Districts (boardinghouse/rooming house prohibited) - eCode360. 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.
Woodcliff Lake short-term-rental FAQ
Can I run a short-term rental (Airbnb) in Woodcliff Lake, NJ?
Woodcliff Lake bans short-term rentals outright. Since 2016 (Ord. No. 16-08), renting any dwelling in whole or in part for 30 consecutive days or less is a prohibited "vacation rental," and even advertising or platform-facilitating one violates the code, with fines of $250 to $1,000 per day plus forfeiture of rental revenue. Only borough-approved hotels, motels, and B&Bs are exempt; rentals over 30 days are lawful but require a certificate of occupancy.
Do I need a permit or registration to run an STR in Woodcliff Lake?
Mayor and Council may promulgate implementing regulations and fees (sec. 380-114), but no STR permit or registration pathway is currently codified.
What taxes apply to a short-term rental in Woodcliff Lake, 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 Woodcliff Lake?
Short-term rentals face real limits in Woodcliff Lake (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 Woodcliff Lake's rules?
We'll help you find out what's actually possible for your Woodcliff Lake property, short-term, mid-term, or otherwise, and run it if it's a fit.
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