Mahwah vs Paramus
How do permit requirements rules compare between Mahwah, NJ and Paramus, NJ?
Mahwah has fewer restrictions than Paramus.
Mahwah, NJ
Bergen County
Mahwah Township has not adopted a dedicated short-term rental licensing or permitting ordinance. Lodging uses in Mahwah are addressed through Chapter 24 (Zoning), which defines transient lodging accommodations as a hotel-type use rather than a single-family dwelling, and any rental of a dwelling shorter than 90 days is generally subject to the New Jersey Transient Accommodations Tax under N.J.S.A. 40:48F-1 and the State Sales and Use Tax Act, as amended by P.L. 2018, c. 49 and P.L. 2019, c. 235.
View full Mahwah rules →Paramus, NJ
Bergen County
Paramus prohibits the rental, advertising, or use of any dwelling unit for periods of 30 days or less, effectively banning Airbnb-style short-term rentals throughout the borough under Chapter 322 of the Borough Code.
View full Paramus rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Mahwah | Paramus |
|---|---|---|
| Local STR Ordinance | None adopted; default to Ch. 24 zoning | - |
| Zoning Code | Mahwah Code Ch. 24 (permissive use ordinance) | - |
| Lodging Use | 'Transient lodging accommodations' = hotel-type use; not a single-family use | - |
| Accessory Apartment Limits | Owner-occupied, max 3 occupants (Sec. 24-6.1(j)) | - |
| State Tax Trigger | Stays under 90 days = transient accommodation | - |
| Statutory Authority | N.J.S.A. 40:48F-1; P.L. 2018, c. 49; P.L. 2019, c. 235 | - |
| Minimum Rental Term | - | More than 30 days |
| Code Reference | - | Chapter 322 |
| Adopting Ordinance | - | Ord. No. 2016-25 |
| Effective Date | - | October 18, 2016 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Mahwah FAQ
Does Mahwah require a short-term rental license?
Mahwah has not adopted a stand-alone short-term rental licensing ordinance. However, Chapter 24 is a permissive zoning code, so any rental that operates as a 'transient lodging accommodation' (hotel-type use) outside the zones where that use is permitted is not allowed. Hosts should confirm with the Zoning Officer before listing a property.
Do I have to collect New Jersey sales tax and occupancy fee on Airbnb stays?
Generally yes, for stays of fewer than 90 consecutive days. Under P.L. 2018, c. 49 and P.L. 2019, c. 235, transient accommodations are subject to the 6.625% Sales Tax and the 5% State Occupancy Fee, with marketplaces typically collecting on the host's behalf. Confirm registration and exemption details with the New Jersey Division of Taxation.
Can I rent my Mahwah accessory apartment on Airbnb?
Section 24-6.1(j) caps the apartment at three occupants and requires the principal building to be owner-occupied at all times. Operating it as a hotel-style transient lodging use is not permitted by Chapter 24, and any rental must still comply with state transient accommodation tax rules.
Paramus FAQ
Can I list my Paramus home on Airbnb for a weekend?
No. Paramus Chapter 322 prohibits any rental of 30 days or less, so weekend Airbnb or VRBO bookings are not permitted in the borough.
Are corporate or extended-stay rentals allowed?
Rentals longer than 30 days fall outside Chapter 322's prohibition, but you must still comply with zoning, certificate of occupancy, and inspection rules.
What if I rent only a room rather than the whole house?
Chapter 322 applies to any dwelling unit rented for 30 days or less, so room-by-room short-term rentals are also prohibited under the same provision.
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