Short-term-rental rules
Can you Airbnb in Cliffside Park, NJ?
Researched and reviewed by Jake Lee, FounderCurrent as of July 2026How this atlas is maintained
Cliffside Park effectively bans short-term rentals. The borough code defines any occupancy of a home that is not the occupant's principal residence for less than 180 days as illegal "temporary occupancy," and prohibits it for whole homes, apartments, and even individual rooms. Violations carry fines starting at $1,250 per day, so a typical whole-home Airbnb is unlawful here.
What the rules say in Cliffside Park
- Temporary occupancy is defined as the use, occupancy, and letting of other than a principal residence or dwelling for a period of less than 180 days (Code sec. 11-10.1), a threshold six times stricter than the usual 30-day short-term-rental line.
- Sec. 11-10.2(e) prohibits permitting temporary occupancy of any house, apartment, or other structure having a residential use, and also prohibits temporary occupancy of individual components of a dwelling unit (any room or bedroom), so both whole-home and room rentals are covered.
- Every rental of any kind requires an occupancy permit or continued certificate of occupancy from the borough before a tenant or lessee may inhabit the unit (sec. 11-10.2(b) and (c)).
- Penalties: $1,250 per day for a violation, with each 24-hour period a separate offense and fines running back to the original inspection date; a second violation is $1,500 per day plus up to 90 days community service; third or subsequent violations reach $1,500 to $5,000 per day plus possible county jail time of 1 to 20 days (sec. 11-10.5).
- Enforcement is by police, fire, construction code, and zoning officials; occupants of an illegal unit can be ordered to vacate immediately, with emergency housing costs charged to the owner and liened against the property (secs. 11-10.3 and 11-10.4).
- Landlords whose tenants are displaced by an illegal-occupancy enforcement owe relocation assistance equal to six times the monthly rent (sec. 11-10.6(a)).
Sources: Cliffside Park Code sec. 11-10, Illegal Rental of Buildings and Apartments (eCode360, codified text); Borough of Cliffside Park, NJ Code, table of contents (eCode360, legislation through 2025-08-26); Borough of Cliffside Park official site, Borough Ordinances page (links the eCode360 code). 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.
Cliffside Park short-term-rental FAQ
Can I run a short-term rental (Airbnb) in Cliffside Park, NJ?
Cliffside Park effectively bans short-term rentals. The borough code defines any occupancy of a home that is not the occupant's principal residence for less than 180 days as illegal "temporary occupancy," and prohibits it for whole homes, apartments, and even individual rooms. Violations carry fines starting at $1,250 per day, so a typical whole-home Airbnb is unlawful here.
Do I need a permit or registration to run an STR in Cliffside Park?
Sec. 11-10.2(e) prohibits permitting temporary occupancy of any house, apartment, or other structure having a residential use, and also prohibits temporary occupancy of individual components of a dwelling unit (any room or bedroom), so both whole-home and room rentals are covered.
What taxes apply to a short-term rental in Cliffside Park, 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 Cliffside Park?
Short-term rentals face real limits in Cliffside Park (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 Cliffside Park's rules?
We'll help you find out what's actually possible for your Cliffside Park property, short-term, mid-term, or otherwise, and run it if it's a fit.
Nearby Bergen towns