How Garfield Handles Short-Term Rentals: A Practical Guide

Garfield maintains 64 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 of those deal specifically with short-term rentals. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Garfield falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Taxes & Fees

Garfield does not impose its own city-level short-term rental occupancy tax. STR stays of fewer than 90 consecutive days that are booked through a marketplace (Airbnb, Vrbo) or operated as a professionally managed unit are subject to NJ State Sales Tax (6.625%, N.J.S.A. 54:32B-3) and the State Occupancy Fee (5%, N.J.S.A. 54:32D-1 et seq.) under P.L. 2018 c. 49. P.L. 2019 c. 235 narrowed the rule so direct owner rentals of fewer than three units that do not use a marketplace are exempt. New Jersey municipalities are separately authorized to impose a Municipal Occupancy Tax of up to 3% under N.J.S.A. 40:48F-1, but Garfield has not enacted one as of 2026. Hosts must also comply with Garfield's Chapter 131 permit requirement and pay the Certificate of Continued Occupancy fee under Chapter 75 at every change of occupancy.

Key details: Garfield Local Hotel Tax: None enacted. NJ State Sales Tax: 6.625% (N.J.S.A. 54:32B-3). NJ State Occupancy Fee: 5% (N.J.S.A. 54:32D-1). Authority for Local Tax: Up to 3% allowed by N.J.S.A. 40:48F-1. Marketplace Collection: Required under P.L. 2018 c. 49.

Failure to collect or remit New Jersey Sales Tax under N.J.S.A. 54:32B-2 or the State Occupancy Fee under N.J.S.A. 54:32D-1 results in back taxes, interest, and civil penalties up to 25% of tax due under the State Uniform Tax Procedure Law (N.J.S.A. 54:48-1 et seq.). A marketplace that fails to collect the required tax under P.L. 2018 c. 49 is itself liable. Operating an STR without the Garfield Chapter 131 permit and license is a municipal ordinance violation; under N.J.S.A. 40:49-5 the maximum penalty is up to $2,000 per offense, up to 90 days imprisonment, and up to 90 days of community service, with each day a separate offense, plus stop-rent orders and license revocation.

Noise Rules

Garfield does not have a short-term rental-specific noise ordinance. STR guests must comply with Garfield's general municipal noise rules and the New Jersey DEP Noise Control regulations (N.J.A.C. 7:29). Local NJ municipal noise ordinances must be approved by NJ DEP under the NJ Noise Control Act (N.J.S.A. 13:1G-1 et seq.). Operators of any rental licensed under Garfield Code Chapter 131 are required to designate a custodian or caretaker responsible for ensuring guest compliance with all applicable Garfield ordinances, which includes the noise ordinance. Repeated noise complaints can support license revocation under Chapter 131 and ordinance penalties under N.J.S.A. 40:49-5.

Key details: STR-Specific Noise Rule: None — general ordinance applies. State Framework: NJ Noise Control Act (N.J.S.A. 13:1G-1). Technical Standard: N.J.A.C. 7:29 (NJ DEP). DEP Approval Required: Yes — for any local noise ordinance. Operator Liability: Custodian/caretaker required (Chapter 131).

Violations of Garfield's general noise ordinance are prosecuted in Garfield Municipal Court under N.J.S.A. 40:49-5, which sets a maximum penalty of up to $2,000 per offense, up to 90 days imprisonment, and up to 90 days of community service, with each day of continued violation a separate offense. The licensed operator under Chapter 131 is responsible for guest conduct at the licensed premises, so repeat substantiated noise complaints can also trigger Chapter 131 license revocation by the Garfield Zoning Officer and refusal of the next Certificate of Continued Occupancy under Chapter 75. Noise sources that exceed N.J.A.C. 7:29 decibel limits can additionally be cited by certified noise-control officers from BCDHS or NJ DEP.

Parking Rules

Garfield does not impose a short-term rental-specific parking minimum. Off-street parking for any STR is determined by the underlying residential use of the dwelling unit under Garfield Zoning Code Chapter 320, which generally requires off-street spaces tied to each dwelling unit, plus the dimensional rules in Article IX (Accessory Buildings and Fences) for any garage or driveway-related accessory structure. STR guests parking on Garfield streets must comply with Garfield's general traffic ordinances and posted signs; New Jersey state law (Title 39) governs commercial vehicle, RV, and overnight street-parking restrictions. Bergen County does not issue residential permit-parking permits for STR guests.

Key details: STR-Specific Parking Minimum: None. Underlying Zoning: Garfield Zoning Code Chapter 320. Accessory Garage Rules: Article IX (eCode360 §10086926). Detached Building Coverage: Up to 30% of rear yard. Side/Rear Setback: 3 feet minimum.

Standard parking ticket fines are issued under N.J.S.A. 39:4-138 (parking prohibited in specified places) and Garfield's local Vehicles and Traffic ordinance — typical fines run $34-$54 for routine violations and substantially higher for blocking hydrants, fire lanes, or driveways. Vehicles parked in violation of snow-emergency or overnight commercial-vehicle rules may be ticketed and towed at the owner's expense. Failure of the Chapter 131 licensee to ensure guest compliance with applicable Garfield ordinances can be cited under N.J.S.A. 40:49-5 (up to $2,000 per offense, up to 90 days imprisonment, each day a separate offense) and trigger Chapter 131 license review by the Garfield Zoning Officer.

Permit Requirements

Garfield does not have a stand-alone short-term rental ordinance. Operators of any boarding house, rooming house, or place rented for sleeping purposes must hold a permit and license under Chapter 131 (Dwelling and Rooming Units, originally adopted Sept. 1, 1970). Statewide, P.L. 2018 c. 49 (effective Oct. 1, 2018, amended by P.L. 2019 c. 235) imposes 6.625% NJ Sales Tax and the 5% State Occupancy Fee on transient accommodations booked through marketplaces such as Airbnb and Vrbo. Municipal Occupancy Tax up to 3% is authorized by N.J.S.A. 40:48F-1.

Key details: Local code: Garfield: Local code: Garfield Code Chapter 131 — Dwelling and Rooming Units (1970). Permit & license: Permit & license required for any boarding/rooming/sleeping rental. Sleeping room minimum:: Sleeping room minimum: 70 sq ft (single) / 50 sq ft per. Rate: 625%. Rate: 5%.

Operating a rooming/boarding/sleeping accommodation without the Garfield permit and license required by Chapter 131 is a municipal ordinance violation; under N.J.S.A. 40:49-5 the maximum penalty is up to $2,000 per offense and up to 90 days imprisonment, plus license revocation and stop-rent orders. Failure to register and remit NJ Sales Tax or the State Occupancy Fee under N.J.S.A. 54:32B-2 and N.J.S.A. 54:32D-1 et seq. results in back taxes, interest, and civil penalties up to 25% of tax due. Marketplaces that fail to collect under P.L. 2018 c. 49 are themselves liable.

The Bottom Line

Garfield's short-term rentals rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Garfield is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Garfield can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.