Occupancy Limits: Lakewood vs Toms River
How do occupancy limits rules compare between Lakewood, NJ and Toms River, NJ?
Lakewood has fewer restrictions than Toms River.
Lakewood, NJ
Ocean County
Lakewood Township has no short-term-rental-specific ordinance. Any rented dwelling, including a transient or vacation rental, is governed by Chapter 15 (Rental Housing) of the Township Code. Before leasing, the owner must obtain a Rental Certificate of Occupancy from the Department of Code Enforcement and Zoning, and the inspector posts a maximum-occupancy notice in the unit that the landlord and tenant may not exceed.
View full Lakewood rules →Toms River, NJ
Ocean County
Toms River Chapter 335, Article VI restricts each short-term rental to a single rental room with a maximum of one tenant. Sleeping rooms must contain at least 70 square feet, and the inspector posts the maximum occupancy on the Rental Certificate of Occupancy.
View full Toms River rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Lakewood | Toms River |
|---|---|---|
| Code | Township Code Ch. 15 | - |
| Permit | Rental C.O. required | - |
| Issuing Department | Code Enforcement & Zoning | - |
| Occupancy Standard | Posted at inspection | - |
| State Tax Authority | N.J.S.A. 54:32D | - |
| Code Section | - | Ch. 335, Art. VI |
| Rooms Per STR | - | One room, one tenant |
| Sleeping Room Minimum | - | 70 sq ft floor area |
| Owner-Occupancy | - | Required year-round |
| Posted On | - | Rental Certificate of Occupancy |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Lakewood FAQ
Does Lakewood Township have a short-term rental ordinance?
No. Lakewood Township has not adopted a short-term-rental-specific ordinance. Any rented dwelling, including a transient or vacation booking, falls under Chapter 15 (Rental Housing) of the Township Code, which requires a Rental Certificate of Occupancy from the Department of Code Enforcement and Zoning before the unit may be leased.
How many guests can stay in a Lakewood rental?
Chapter 15 directs the inspector to post the maximum number of persons in a conspicuous place inside the unit at the time of the Rental C.O. inspection, based on New Jersey State Housing Code minimum sleeping-room area standards. Neither landlord nor tenant may exceed the posted figure, and anyone sleeping or generally dwelling there for more than two successive days or nights counts as a resident.
Toms River FAQ
How many guests can stay in a Toms River short-term rental?
Article VI limits each STR registration to one rental room and one tenant. The total occupancy is set at the Rental C.O. inspection from sleeping-room square footage and egress, and posted on the certificate.
Can I rent out my whole house short-term?
No. Chapter 335, Article VI permits only single-room rentals with one tenant per booking; whole-house short-term rentals are not allowed. The dwelling must remain owner-occupied year-round and have at least two bedrooms.
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