Short-term-rental rules
Can you Airbnb in Bayonne, NJ?
Researched and reviewed by Jake Lee, FounderCurrent as of July 2026How this atlas is maintained
Short-term rentals (stays of 60 days or fewer) are legal in Bayonne but only narrowly: you must be the property owner, obtain an annual city STR permit ($1,000 initial, $750 renewal), and the property must fall into an owner-occupied category (owner-occupied single-family, two-family with one unit owner-occupied, up to two units in a building of four or fewer units with another unit owner-occupied, or a condo/HOA unit where the bylaws allow it and the owner's principal residence is in the association). Rentals where the owner is not present are capped at 60 nights per calendar year and banned outright in buildings with more than four units; tenants may not operate STRs at all.
What the rules say in Bayonne
- STR defined as rental of a dwelling unit to transient occupants for 60 or fewer consecutive days (Sec. 33-20.1)
- City STR permit required before renting or even advertising; issued by the Department of Planning, Zoning and Development via the SDL online portal (Sec. 33-20.3.A-B)
- Fees: $1,000 non-refundable initial registration, $750 annual renewal; permit valid 1 year, non-transferable, expires on sale of the property (Sec. 33-20.3.C-F)
- Only the property owner may operate an STR; tenants may not apply, sublease, or operate one, and this overrides any lease clause permitting subletting (Sec. 33-20.2.G)
- Permitted only in these property classes: condo/HOA/co-op units where governing documents allow STRs and the owner's principal residence is in the association; owner-occupied single-family homes; two-family dwellings with one unit owner-occupied; up to two units in a multiple dwelling of four or fewer units where another unit is owner-occupied; up to three B&B rooms in an owner-occupied single-family home (Sec. 33-20.2.B)
- Rentals where the owner/operator is not present are limited to 60 total nights per calendar year; each extra night is a separate violation (Sec. 33-20.2.E)
- Non-owner-present STRs are prohibited in any multiple dwelling with more than four units (Sec. 33-20.2.F)
- STRs prohibited in rent-controlled units (Chapter 16) and buildings with HUD or state-set rents (Sec. 33-20.2.C)
- Application conditions: fire-safety/property-maintenance inspection (within 6 months initially, every 3 years on renewal), zoning compliance certificate, proof of $500,000 general liability insurance, no outstanding taxes/water/sewer, no unabated code violations (Secs. 33-20.3.A, 33-20.4.B-E)
- Operational rules: one rental contract at a time, guest log available for inspection, primary renter must be 21+, no signage, 24/7 responsible party who responds within 2 hours, permit number in every advertisement (Secs. 33-20.4.F-H, 33-20.6)
- Permit revoked after three substantiated complaints (or one, at the director's discretion); property then barred from a new permit for one year (Sec. 33-20.6.I)
- Penalties up to $2,000 per violation, minimum $100 per violation per day (Sec. 33-20.7.A)
- Narrow grandfather clause: an owner operating two STRs at adoption could keep one non-owner-occupied STR if a designated resident lives on site (Sec. 33-20.2.H); tenant-run and non-conforming rentals had to wind down by July 1, 2024 (Secs. 33-20.2.I-J)
Sources: Ordinance O-24-37 (adopted 6/12/2024) amending Ch. 33 Art. XX Short Term Rental, codified law PDF on eCode360 (Bayonne BA2788); City of Bayonne Short-Term Rental Ordinance (Agenda No. O-12), full text as introduced; City of Bayonne Dept. of Planning, Zoning and Development, official STRP FAQ (confirms Ch. 33 Art. XX Sec. 33-20 in force, licensing via SDL portal); LocalLens coverage of Bayonne City Council short-term rental ordinance deliberations (Feb 2024). 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.
Bayonne short-term-rental FAQ
Can I run a short-term rental (Airbnb) in Bayonne, NJ?
Short-term rentals (stays of 60 days or fewer) are legal in Bayonne but only narrowly: you must be the property owner, obtain an annual city STR permit ($1,000 initial, $750 renewal), and the property must fall into an owner-occupied category (owner-occupied single-family, two-family with one unit owner-occupied, up to two units in a building of four or fewer units with another unit owner-occupied, or a condo/HOA unit where the bylaws allow it and the owner's principal residence is in the association). Rentals where the owner is not present are capped at 60 nights per calendar year and banned outright in buildings with more than four units; tenants may not operate STRs at all.
Do I need a permit or registration to run an STR in Bayonne?
City STR permit required before renting or even advertising; issued by the Department of Planning, Zoning and Development via the SDL online portal (Sec. 33-20.3.A-B)
What taxes apply to a short-term rental in Bayonne, 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 Bayonne?
Short-term rentals face real limits in Bayonne (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 Bayonne's rules?
We'll help you find out what's actually possible for your Bayonne property, short-term, mid-term, or otherwise, and run it if it's a fit.
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