Occupancy Limits: North Bergen vs Union City
How do occupancy limits rules compare between North Bergen, NJ and Union City, NJ?
North Bergen and Union City have similar restriction levels.
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 →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 | North Bergen | Union City |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - |
| 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.
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.
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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