Short-term-rental rules
Can you Airbnb in Clifton, NJ?
Researched and reviewed by Jake Lee, FounderCurrent as of July 2026How this atlas is maintained
Clifton adopted Chapter 378A on February 3, 2026 (Ord. 8076-26), allowing short-term rentals only at the owner's principal residence: an owner-occupied single-family home, one unit of an owner-occupied two-family, a unit in a multi-family where the owner lives in another unit, or up to two rooms in an owner-occupied home. Non-owner-occupied whole homes, condos, and townhomes are prohibited, and every STR needs a $500 annual permit from the Department of Engineering plus inspections and $500,000 liability insurance. The whole chapter sunsets December 31, 2026, after which short-term rentals will not be permitted in Clifton unless the city acts again.
The operator's read
Can I run a short-term rental in Clifton, NJ?
No go for nightly stays
The rule that closes it: STRs permitted only in: owner-occupied single-family homes; one unit of a two-family where the owner occupies the other unit as principal residence; a unit in a multi-family where the owner occupies another unit; or up to two rooms in an owner-occupied single-family home (378A-2).
- Is there a legal way to rent short-term in Clifton?
- Most ordinances of this kind restrict stays under 30 nights and leave longer furnished rentals alone, so a 30-plus-night rental is usually the compliant route in Clifton. Confirm the specifics against the sources on this page before you rely on it.
What would you do with a property in Clifton?
Not for nightly stays. The compliant play in Clifton is a furnished rental of 30 nights or more, which most ordinances of this kind leave open, and which we can set up and run. If you are buying specifically to run nightly stays, buy somewhere else.
What the rules say in Clifton
- STRs permitted only in: owner-occupied single-family homes; one unit of a two-family where the owner occupies the other unit as principal residence; a unit in a multi-family where the owner occupies another unit; or up to two rooms in an owner-occupied single-family home (378A-2)
- Prohibited: condominiums and townhomes; any single- or two-family dwelling that is not the owner's principal residence; three or more rooms in a single-family home; illegal basement or attic apartments; tenant subleasing as STR (378A-2, 378A-6)
- Annual STR permit from the Department of Engineering with a non-refundable $500 application/registration fee, a rental Certificate of Code Compliance, annual fire-safety and property-maintenance inspections, and a Zoning Compliance Certificate (378A-3, 378A-4)
- Proof of general liability insurance of at least $500,000 and a designated 24/7 agent and responsible party who must respond to complaints within two hours (378A-4, 378A-6)
- Permit number must appear in every advertisement; advertising without a permit is a violation (378A-4, 378A-6)
- Primary renter must be 21 or older; renters limited to one vehicle per two occupants; one active rental contract at a time for up to 30 days; no lawn or other STR signage (378A-4, 378A-6)
- Permit revocable after two or more substantiated complaints; violations carry fines up to $2,000 per violation per day; booking platforms face up to $2,000 per unverified transaction (378A-6, 378A-7, 378A-8)
- Sunset provision: Chapter 378A expires December 31, 2026, and after that date short-term rentals shall not be permitted in the City of Clifton (378A-9)
Sources: City of Clifton Code Ch. 378A Short-Term Rentals (eCode360, full text); City of Clifton code on eCode360 (General Code), city code portal. 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.
Navigating Clifton's rules?
We'll help you find out what's actually possible for your Clifton property, short-term, mid-term, or otherwise, and run it if it's a fit.
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