Occupancy Limits: Cranford vs Elizabeth

Who enforces occupancy limits rules in Union County?

Union County's code enforcement division is responsible for short term-rentals ordinances. You can report violations or request information through the Union County government website or by calling the main municipal line.

What are typical penalties for violating occupancy limits rules?

Most Union County short term-rentals violations start with a written warning followed by escalating civil fines for repeat offenses. Specific dollar amounts and any criminal-misdemeanor exposure depend on the section of code; consult Union County's municipal code or staff for the current penalty schedule.

Does Elizabeth set a fixed two-persons-per-bedroom cap for Airbnbs?

Chapter 5.90 (Ord. 5424) does not publish a numeric persons-per-bedroom cap. Instead, the STR license is issued against the unit's existing rental Certificate of Occupancy and floor plan, and the New Jersey rooming-house and sleeping-room standards in N.J.A.C. 5:10 set the binding minimum room area and occupancy conditions that apply when the city or the Bureau of Housing Inspection inspects.

Can I market additional sleeping spots in a den or basement?

Only rooms shown as sleeping rooms on the floor plan submitted to the Bureau of Central Licensing under Chapter 5.90 and authorized by the rental Certificate of Occupancy can be used for overnight guests. Adding sleeping spots in non-bedroom rooms is not covered by the STR license and can trigger Uniform Construction Code (N.J.A.C. 5:23) and housing inspection violations.

What is the limit in a six-unit condo building?

Under Ordinance 5424, short-term rentals are not permitted in buildings with more than four dwelling units unless the owner is present and the condominium or cooperative association approves. In that situation the practical cap is set by the owner-presence requirement and the unit's CO, not by the STR ordinance creating its own larger headcount.