Rental Property Rules in Ocean County, NJ (2026)

3 rules for unincorporated Ocean County, New Jersey.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Ocean County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply — see the city list below.

Rent Control

Ocean County has no county rent control, but several municipalities cap annual increases. Lakewood (Ch. 14) caps increases at 5% if tenant pays heat, 6.5% if landlord pays. Seaside Heights, Point Pleasant Beach, Lakehurst also regulate.

rental-property/rent-control

Heavy Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Just Cause Eviction

NJ Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1) requires good cause for all Ocean County residential evictions. Owner-occupied 1-2 unit homes and transient/seasonal guests are exempt. 18 statutory grounds apply.

rental-property/just-cause-eviction

Heavy Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Rental Registration

All NJ landlords must file a Landlord Identity Registration (N.J.S.A. 46:8-28). Ocean County municipalities add local rental certificate-of-occupancy requirements — Lakewood Ch. 15 requires pre-rental CO; Seaside Heights requires STR license.

rental-property/rental-registration

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Ocean County ordinances

See every category we cover for Ocean County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Ocean County Ordinance Hub →