Taxes & Fees: Fort Lee vs Hackensack
How do taxes & fees rules compare between Fort Lee, NJ and Hackensack, NJ?
Hackensack has fewer restrictions than Fort Lee.
Fort Lee, NJ
Bergen County
Fort Lee bans short-term rentals of 30 days or less for consideration under Borough Code Chapter 321, Article V (Short-Term Rental Property), so the Borough does not run an STR registration program and charges no STR-specific permit fee or local occupancy tax. Because the underlying use is unlawful at the local level, the New Jersey state framework for transient accommodations under N.J.S.A. 54:32D (State Occupancy Fee) and the Sales and Use Tax Act at N.J.S.A. 54:32B-3 has no compliant pathway for a Fort Lee property, and a host who collects consideration violates the Borough Code regardless of state-tax registration.
View full Fort Lee rules →Hackensack, NJ
Bergen County
Hackensack short-term rental operators must collect New Jersey's 5% State Occupancy Fee plus 6.625% Sales Tax on transient stays under 90 days, plus a 3% Bergen County hotel tax where applicable.
View full Hackensack rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Fort Lee | Hackensack |
|---|---|---|
| Local Status | Short-term rentals under 30 days for consideration are PROHIBITED | - |
| Governing Code | Fort Lee Borough Code Ch. 321, Art. V (Short-Term Rental Property) | - |
| Local STR Permit Fee | None - no permit program (use is banned) | - |
| Local Occupancy Tax | None imposed by the Borough | - |
| NJ State Sales Tax (transient) | 6.625% under N.J.S.A. 54:32B-3 (where lawful) | - |
| NJ State Occupancy Fee | 5% under N.J.S.A. 54:32D-1 (where lawful) | - |
| Permitted Without Fee | Unpaid stays by owner's household (no consideration) | - |
| Maximum Civil Penalty | Up to $1,250 per day of violation | - |
| State Sales Tax | - | 6.625% |
| State Occupancy Fee | - | 5% |
| Threshold | - | Stays under 90 days |
| Municipal Tax | - | None currently |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Fort Lee FAQ
Can I list my Fort Lee home on Airbnb or Vrbo?
No. Borough Code Chapter 321, Article V prohibits renting any dwelling or portion of a dwelling in Fort Lee for 30 days or less for any form of consideration, and also bans advertising, soliciting, or promoting such rentals. The Borough does not issue any permit that would make this lawful.
Does Fort Lee charge a short-term rental permit fee or hotel occupancy tax?
No. Because Article V prohibits short-term rentals outright, the Borough has no STR permit program and imposes no local occupancy tax. The 5% New Jersey State Occupancy Fee under N.J.S.A. 54:32D-1 and the 6.625% sales tax on transient accommodations under the Sales and Use Tax Act apply only to lawful transient stays elsewhere in the state.
What is the penalty if I rent my place for under 30 days anyway?
Each day of rental, advertising, or solicitation is a separate violation, with civil penalties up to $1,250 per day. Enforcement is by the Building Code Official, Fire Official, Health Department, and other Code Officials, and any violation is declared a public nuisance under Article V.
Hackensack FAQ
Does Airbnb collect Hackensack taxes automatically?
Airbnb collects the 6.625% sales tax and 5% state occupancy fee for most New Jersey listings. Direct bookings require the host to register and remit through the NJ Division of Taxation.
Is there a Hackensack hotel tax?
Hackensack does not currently impose a separate municipal hotel or occupancy tax, but state-level taxes still apply to qualifying transient stays.
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