Occupancy Limits: Hoboken vs North Bergen
How do occupancy limits rules compare between Hoboken, NJ and North Bergen, NJ?
Hoboken and North Bergen have similar restriction levels.
Hoboken, NJ
Hudson County
Hoboken does not publish a per-unit STR occupancy formula because the City has no dedicated short-term rental ordinance and relies instead on Chapter 155 (Rent Control) and Chapter 196 (Zoning) to restrict transient rentals. Rent-controlled units are barred from STR use, and only owner-occupied dwellings in zones that permit residential use may be rented short-term. Lawful occupancy of any dwelling is governed by the New Jersey Property Maintenance Code (N.J.A.C. 5:10) minimum-square-footage rules.
View full Hoboken rules →North Bergen, NJ
Hudson County
North Bergen Township strictly limits short-term rentals under Ordinance 706-26 (adopted by 5-0 vote on March 5, 2026; effective 20 days after final passage). STRs are permitted only where the property owner resides on-site as their principal residence, and each permitted STR is capped at a maximum of 60 rented nights per calendar year. Tenants are prohibited from operating STRs, and no person or entity may hold more than two STR permits in the Township. The Township does not publish a separate per-bedroom maximum-guest formula; occupancy is constrained by the underlying dwelling's lawful occupancy under the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code (N.J.A.C. 5:23) and Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law where applicable.
View full North Bergen rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Hoboken | North Bergen |
|---|---|---|
| Dedicated STR Code | None - regulated through Ch. 155 and Ch. 196 | - |
| Guest Cap Formula | Not specified locally | - |
| Owner-Occupancy | Required (no tenant-run STRs) | - |
| Rent-Controlled Units | Prohibited from STR use (Ch. 155) | - |
| Long-Term Occupancy | NJ Property Maintenance Code N.J.A.C. 5:10 | - |
| Registration | Annual via SDL Portal | - |
| Contact | Rent Leveling Office, (201) 420-2000 ext. 1721 | - |
| Governing Ordinance | - | Ordinance 706-26 (adopted March 5, 2026) |
| Replaces | - | Ordinance 326-17 and Ordinance 610-23 |
| Annual Night Cap | - | 60 rented nights per year per permitted STR |
| Owner-Occupied | - | Required - owner must live on-site as principal residence |
| Permit Cap per Person | - | Maximum of 2 STR permits per person/entity |
| Tenants | - | Prohibited from operating STRs |
| Per-Unit Guest Cap | - | Not separately set by ordinance; deferred to NJ UCC / Hotel & Multiple Dwelling Law |
| Responsible Party | - | 24-hour designated contact required |
| NJ Sales Tax (transient) | - | 6.625% under N.J.S.A. 54:32B-3 |
| NJ State Occupancy Fee | - | 5% under N.J.S.A. 54:32D-1 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Hoboken FAQ
How many guests can stay in a Hoboken short-term rental?
Hoboken does not publish a numeric STR guest cap because the City has no dedicated STR ordinance. Maximum lawful occupancy of any dwelling unit is set by the New Jersey Property Maintenance Code (N.J.A.C. 5:10) sleeping-room square-footage rules, not by an STR-specific formula.
Does the '2 per bedroom + 2' rule apply in Hoboken?
No. That rule comes from cities like Jersey City (Ch. 255) that have a dedicated STR permit. Hoboken instead restricts who may operate an STR (owner-occupants only, no rent-controlled units) and lets the New Jersey Property Maintenance Code govern headcount.
Can I rent my Hoboken rent-controlled apartment on Airbnb?
No. Hoboken Chapter 155 (Rent Control) prohibits owners of rent-controlled units from listing those units as short-term or transient rentals on platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo. Violations carry fines and may trigger Rent Leveling Office enforcement.
North Bergen FAQ
How many guests can stay at a North Bergen short-term rental?
Ordinance 706-26 does not publish a separate per-bedroom or per-unit guest cap. The number of overnight occupants is governed by the dwelling's lawful occupancy under the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code (N.J.A.C. 5:23) and, for multiple dwellings, the Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law (N.J.S.A. 55:13A-1 et seq.). Confirm your specific unit limit with the Building, Code Enforcement and Zoning Department at 201-392-2000.
Can I rent my North Bergen apartment on Airbnb if I'm a tenant?
No. Ordinance 706-26 prohibits tenants from operating short-term rentals. The owner must reside at the property as their principal residence. Operating as a tenant exposes both the tenant and any complicit owner to enforcement action.
Is there a yearly limit on how many nights I can rent my place out in North Bergen?
Yes. Each permitted short-term rental is capped at 60 rented nights per calendar year under Ordinance 706-26. Exceeding 60 nights can trigger permit revocation and fines, and you may not hold more than two STR permits across all your North Bergen properties.
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