Occupancy Limits: Jersey City vs Union City
How do occupancy limits rules compare between Jersey City, NJ and Union City, NJ?
Jersey City and Union City have similar restriction levels.
Jersey City, NJ
Hudson County
Jersey City caps short-term rental occupancy at 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 more, with a hard maximum of 10 guests per unit. Parties and commercial events are prohibited under Chapter 255.
View full Jersey City rules →Union City, NJ
Hudson County
Union City does not set short-term rental occupancy limits because Chapter 296, Article V, Section 296-13 of the City Code (originally adopted Dec. 15, 2015 and reinforced by Ord. No. 2025-1, Jan. 21, 2025) categorically prohibits short-term vacation rentals of 30 consecutive days or less in any residential property. Because no STR permit pathway exists in this Hudson County city, there is no maximum-guests-per-bedroom rule, no two-per-bedroom-plus-two formula, and no per-square-foot occupancy standard for transient rentals at the local level.
View full Union City rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Jersey City | Union City |
|---|---|---|
| Formula | 2 per bedroom + 2 | - |
| Hard Cap | 10 guests max | - |
| Parties | Prohibited | - |
| Simultaneous Groups | Not allowed | - |
| Authority | Chapter 255 | - |
| STR Status | - | Prohibited - no occupancy formula exists locally |
| Governing Code | - | Union City Code Ch. 296, Art. V, Section 296-13 |
| STR Definition | - | Rental for 30 consecutive days or less to transient guests |
| Adopted / Reinforced | - | Dec. 15, 2015; Ord. No. 2025-1 (Jan. 21, 2025) |
| Long-Term Occupancy | - | Set by NJ Property Maintenance Code N.J.A.C. 5:10 |
| State STR Preemption | - | None - municipalities may ban STRs outright |
| Contact | - | Union City Zoning Officer, (201) 348-5731 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Jersey City FAQ
How many guests can stay in a Jersey City STR?
Two per bedroom plus two more, up to a hard cap of 10 guests per unit.
Can I host an event in my short-term rental?
No. Chapter 255 prohibits parties, weddings, and commercial events in short-term rentals.
Union City FAQ
How many guests can stay in a Union City Airbnb?
Union City does not set a guest cap for short-term rentals because Chapter 296, Article V, Section 296-13 prohibits the use entirely. There is no permitted STR pathway with an occupancy formula.
Does the '2 per bedroom + 2' rule apply to Union City STRs?
No. Union City has not adopted that or any other STR occupancy standard because short-term vacation rentals are banned under Chapter 296, Article V. Lawful long-term residential occupancy is governed by NJ N.J.A.C. 5:10 minimum-square-footage rules, not STR formulas.
Can I host a few guests for under 30 days if I don't charge them?
Hosting unpaid household guests in your own residence is not a vacation rental. Chapter 296, Article V targets exclusive transient use for 30 consecutive days or less; charging consideration is what triggers the prohibition.
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