Occupancy Limits: Cranford vs Plainfield
How do occupancy limits rules compare between Cranford, NJ and Plainfield, NJ?
Plainfield has fewer restrictions than Cranford.
Cranford, NJ
Union County
Elizabeth enforces occupancy through its Property Maintenance Code and N.J. Hotel & Multiple Dwelling Law (N.J.S.A. 55:13A). Typical limit: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional.
View full Cranford rules →Plainfield, NJ
Union County
Plainfield has no dedicated short-term rental ordinance, so STR headcount is set indirectly. The city's Certificate of Compliance scheme administered by the Division of Inspections requires a CO before any dwelling unit may be leased, occupied, rented, or let, and the CO is issued only when the unit complies with the Plainfield Property Maintenance Code, the Uniform Construction Code (N.J.A.C. 5:23), and the Plainfield Zoning Ordinance (Ch. 17). The unit's lawful residential occupancy on that CO and the New Jersey rooming-house and sleeping-room standards in N.J.A.C. 5:10 (Bureau of Housing Inspection) are what bind STR guest counts.
View full Plainfield rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Cranford | Plainfield |
|---|---|---|
| State Framework | N.J.S.A. 55:13A | - |
| Floor Area | 150 sq ft first + 100 each | - |
| Typical Limit | 2/bedroom + 2 | - |
| Prohibited | Garages, non-egress basements | - |
| Enforcement | Property maint. officer | - |
| Local STR Ordinance | - | None identified in Ch. 17 Land Use |
| Headcount Driver | - | Plainfield Certificate of Compliance + zoning |
| Issuing Office | - | Division of Inspections (Director) |
| Compliance Codes Checked | - | Property Maintenance Code, NJ UCC, Zoning Ordinance |
| State Sleeping-Room Rules | - | N.J.A.C. 5:10 (Bureau of Housing Inspection) |
| State Hotel/Dwelling Law | - | N.J.S.A. 55:13A |
| Zoning Contact | - | (908) 226-2578 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Cranford FAQ
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.
Plainfield FAQ
Does Plainfield set a fixed two-persons-per-bedroom cap for Airbnbs?
No. Plainfield has not adopted a dedicated STR ordinance with a numeric persons-per-bedroom cap. The binding limit is the lawful occupancy on the unit's Certificate of Compliance plus the New Jersey sleeping-room standards in N.J.A.C. 5:10, which the Division of Inspections checks before issuing or renewing the CO.
Can I market additional sleeping spaces in a finished basement or den?
Not without going through inspections. Any space used for sleeping must be approved on the Certificate of Compliance and meet New Jersey housing standards in N.J.A.C. 5:10 plus the Uniform Construction Code (N.J.A.C. 5:23). Adding sleeping spots in non-bedroom rooms can lead to a denied or revoked CO and code-enforcement action.
Who do I contact about STR occupancy in Plainfield?
The Division of Inspections issues the Certificate of Compliance that controls lawful occupancy, and the Zoning Division at (908) 226-2578 handles zoning use questions, since Chapter 17 (Land Use) does not currently have a dedicated short-term rental section.
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