Jersey City Short-Term Rental Regulations

Last verified: 2026-04-06
TL;DR
Jersey City requires Short-Term Rental Permit ($250) and the property must be your primary residence. Combined tax rate is 11.625%. No annual day limit, but each stay must be 28 days or fewer per stay.
Key Requirements at a Glance
Permit ✓ Required — Short-Term Rental Permit ($250)
Primary Residence ✓ Required
Annual Day Limit No limit — 28 days or fewer per stay
Tax Rate 11.625%
Max Penalty Not publicly specified
Insurance $500,000 liability required

New to short-term rentals? Jump to the compliance checklist →

Permit & Licensing

Short-Term Rental Permit

FeeAmount
Initial cost$250
Renewal$250 / 1 year

The property must be your primary residence. This means investment properties are not eligible for this permit type.

Application Process

Online portal (STR portal). Zoning determination letter required for initial applications. Inspections required before permit issuance.

Tax Obligations

TaxRateAuthority
Tax breakdown not available. See combined rate below.

Combined rate: 11.625% of gross rental income.

Rental Limits

Jersey City does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent. Each individual stay must be 28 days or fewer per stay.

Zoning & Restrictions

Permitted in: owner-occupied single-family residences; condo/HOA/co-op units where bylaws allow STRs and owner's principal residence; buildings with 3 or fewer units (one owner-occupied); buildings with 4 units (one owner-occupied). Non-owner-occupied units and investor properties are not permitted.

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

Operators must maintain at least $500,000 in liability insurance covering the property's use as a short-term rental.

Safety & Operating Requirements

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Not publicly specified

Compliance Checklist

Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Jersey City:

  1. Confirm eligibility. The property must be your primary residence. Investment properties are not eligible.
  2. Meet safety requirements. Fire safety inspection. Property Maintenance Code inspection.
  3. Obtain liability insurance. $500,000 minimum.
  4. Apply for Short-Term Rental Permit. Submit application + $250 fee.
  5. Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with New Jersey Division of Taxation.
  6. Collect and remit taxes. 11.625% on all bookings.
  7. Renew annually. $250 renewal fee.

Official Sources

  1. Housing Preservation - City of Jersey City
  2. Chapter 255 - SHORT-TERM RENTALS | Jersey City, NJ
  3. Hotels and Motels Occupancy Fee and Municipal Occupancy Tax