Moving to Garfield, NJ?

Garfield's noise ordinance defines barking-dog violations using a measurable vocalization-rate test that crosses property lines and disturbs residents.

Leaf blowers and other yard maintenance equipment fall under Garfield's residential power tool restrictions, limiting use to daytime hours.

Garfield restricts amplified music and portable sound devices using time-of-day plainly-audible distances and conditions amplified sound at special events.

Garfield restricts portable sound devices and amplified noise based on time of day, using a plainly-audible distance test enforced by the noise control officer.

Garfield enforces decibel-based sound level tables for industrial and commercial sources crossing into residential zones, in line with NJDEP model rules.

Construction and demolition activity in Garfield is exempt from sound level tables only during permitted daytime hours, with residential power tools restricted overnight.

Garfield does not impose its own city-level short-term rental occupancy tax. STR stays of fewer than 90 consecutive days that are booked through a marketplace (Airbnb, Vrbo) or operated as a professionally managed unit are subject to NJ State Sales Tax (6.625%, N.J.S.A. 54:32B-3) and the State Occupancy Fee (5%, N.J.S.A. 54:32D-1 et seq.) under P.L. 2018 c. 49. P.L. 2019 c. 235 narrowed the rule so direct owner rentals of fewer than three units that do not use a marketplace are exempt. New Jersey municipalities are separately authorized to impose a Municipal Occupancy Tax of up to 3% under N.J.S.A. 40:48F-1, but Garfield has not enacted one as of 2026. Hosts must also comply with Garfield's Chapter 131 permit requirement and pay the Certificate of Continued Occupancy fee under Chapter 75 at every change of occupancy.

Garfield does not have a short-term rental-specific noise ordinance. STR guests must comply with Garfield's general municipal noise rules and the New Jersey DEP Noise Control regulations (N.J.A.C. 7:29). Local NJ municipal noise ordinances must be approved by NJ DEP under the NJ Noise Control Act (N.J.S.A. 13:1G-1 et seq.). Operators of any rental licensed under Garfield Code Chapter 131 are required to designate a custodian or caretaker responsible for ensuring guest compliance with all applicable Garfield ordinances, which includes the noise ordinance. Repeated noise complaints can support license revocation under Chapter 131 and ordinance penalties under N.J.S.A. 40:49-5.

Garfield does not impose a short-term rental-specific parking minimum. Off-street parking for any STR is determined by the underlying residential use of the dwelling unit under Garfield Zoning Code Chapter 320, which generally requires off-street spaces tied to each dwelling unit, plus the dimensional rules in Article IX (Accessory Buildings and Fences) for any garage or driveway-related accessory structure. STR guests parking on Garfield streets must comply with Garfield's general traffic ordinances and posted signs; New Jersey state law (Title 39) governs commercial vehicle, RV, and overnight street-parking restrictions. Bergen County does not issue residential permit-parking permits for STR guests.

Garfield does not have a stand-alone short-term rental ordinance. Operators of any boarding house, rooming house, or place rented for sleeping purposes must hold a permit and license under Chapter 131 (Dwelling and Rooming Units, originally adopted Sept. 1, 1970). Statewide, P.L. 2018 c. 49 (effective Oct. 1, 2018, amended by P.L. 2019 c. 235) imposes 6.625% NJ Sales Tax and the 5% State Occupancy Fee on transient accommodations booked through marketplaces such as Airbnb and Vrbo. Municipal Occupancy Tax up to 3% is authorized by N.J.S.A. 40:48F-1.

Garfield enforces specific propane safety standards for food trucks and mobile vendors, requiring secured cylinders, leak-free hoses, and posted no-smoking signage near tanks.

All consumer fireworks that explode or leave the ground are illegal in Garfield under N.J.S.A. 21:3-1 et seq., the NJ Explosives and Fireworks Act. Only non-aerial, non-explosive sparkling devices and novelties (handheld/ground sparkling devices, snakes, glow worms, smoke devices, trick noisemakers) are legal for sale and use to persons aged 16 and older, per P.L. 2017 c. 92 (signed June 28, 2017). Public displays require a state permit. Garfield enforces these rules through its Police and Fire Departments, with public reminders issued via the city's annual Fireworks Advisory.

Garfield prohibits parking any vehicle, including RVs, exceeding 22 feet in length or 8 feet in width on city streets between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

Garfield Chapter 322 sets local procedures for handling abandoned vehicles, including holding periods, notification, custodian fees, and public auction disposal.

Garfield requires that vehicles on residential lots be parked on designated paved surfaces, prohibits yard parking, and sets a 5-foot setback from the street right-of-way.

Garfield prohibits parking on public or municipally owned property and city streets between 3:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. without a valid resident or visitor permit.

Garfield requires a resident or visitor parking permit to park on city streets overnight, with size and registration limits set by the Resident Parking Program.

Garfield Ordinance No. 2937 amends Chapter 341 zoning to require safe installation of electric vehicle supply equipment and Make-Ready parking spaces.

Garfield limits each household to one registered commercial vehicle under its resident parking program, and bars heavy oversized commercial vehicles on streets overnight.

Garfield requires permanent swimming pools to sit at least six feet from any rear or side lot line, supplementing New Jersey's state pool barrier code.

Garfield requires that the finished or face side of any fence point toward the adjacent neighboring property, ensuring neighbors are not left looking at framing.

Garfield regulates fence materials by openness percentage in residential districts, requiring partial transparency for fences within 50 feet of the front property line.

In residential zones, Garfield limits fences to six feet in rear and side yards, with reduced heights and open construction required closer to the front property line.

Garfield requires a permit from the Health Officer to keep small animals such as chickens, rabbits, or poultry on any premises within the city.

Garfield prohibits owners from letting any animal run at large; dogs must be on a leash and under physical control of a capable handler.

Garfield bans feeding waterfowl, songbirds, pigeons, and backyard birds on public property and limits private feeding to small, nuisance-free amounts.

Garfield's Property Maintenance Code requires that all premises and exterior property be kept free of grass or plant growth exceeding eight inches in height.

Garfield requires a permit before removing street trees of 2.5-inch DBH or larger, or non-street trees of six-inch DBH or larger, with replacement obligations.

Garfield's recycling code allows residential grass composting only in an approved location and limits the storage area to ten by ten feet.

Garfield prohibits noxious weeds and requires premises to remain free of weed growth taller than eight inches under its Property Maintenance Code.

Garfield permits one small nameplate identifying a professional office within a residential dwelling, with strict size, illumination, and projection limits under Chapter 341 Article X sign regulations.

Garfield's Chapter 341 Zoning controls home-based business activities through district use regulations, requiring residential character to be preserved with limited professional offices permitted within dwellings.

Garfield requires swimming pools to be at least six feet from any side or rear lot line, and pool enclosure fences must comply with the city's accessory structure and fence regulations under Zoning Chapter 341.

Garfield treats above-ground pools the same as in-ground pools for placement: any permanently attached pool must sit at least six feet from rear and side lot lines under the city's accessory structure provisions.

Garfield's Zoning Code (Chapter 320, codified on eCode360) regulates accessory buildings under Article IX, but does not contain a dedicated accessory dwelling unit (ADU) ordinance. Two-family conversions and accessory apartments are governed by Chapter 131 (Dwelling and Rooming Units, originally adopted Sept. 1, 1970) and the underlying district use regulations. Authority is delegated to Garfield by the NJ Municipal Land Use Law (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq., P.L. 1975 c. 291).

Garfield regulates detached accessory buildings such as sheds in residential zones, limiting rear-yard coverage to 30%, requiring three-foot setbacks from side and rear lot lines, and prohibiting placement within 50 feet of the front lot line.

Garfield Chapter 146 Flood Damage Prevention regulates construction in special flood hazard areas, requiring anchoring, Uniform Construction Code compliance, and variance review with penalties up to $2,000 per violation.

Garfield Chapter 284 Stormwater Control, adopted by Ordinance 3050 in 2024, requires green infrastructure best management practices and nonstructural strategies to manage runoff, recharge groundwater, and reduce pollution.

Garfield permits cannabis establishments only as conditional uses with site plan review, and bars Class 5 retailers within 750 feet of schools or parks.

Garfield Chapter 161 requires a permit before holding any garage sale, limits each address to four sales per calendar year, and requires the issued permit to be visibly displayed on the premises during the sale.

Garfield prohibits weeds or plant growth taller than eight inches and bans noxious weeds, with city contractors authorized to cut overgrowth and bill the owner if a notice of violation is ignored.

Garfield requires a $10 permit for every garage sale, limits residents to four sales per calendar year, requires the permit to be displayed on the premises, and has the police department issue permits on the day of the sale.

Garfield requires owners and tenants of property abutting public sidewalks to remove snow and ice within 24 hours after a storm ends, with a first-offense fine of $150 and a ban on shoveling snow back into cleared streets.

Garfield requires owners of vacant buildings to register the property, secure the structure within 30 days, and keep the surrounding grounds free of debris, overgrowth, and unauthorized entry points.

Garfield requires garbage and recyclables to be kept in covered upright containers, screened from public view between collections, and placed at the curb no earlier than 4:00 p.m. the day before scheduled pickup.

Garfield requires landlords to register rental units with a Dwelling Certificate and obtain Certificates of Continued Occupancy upon any change of tenant, ownership, or use.

Garfield Chapter 164 governs garbage and refuse collection, requiring all waste to be deposited in covered, upright containers, kept disinfected, and presented for curbside pickup according to the city's published collection map.

Garfield collects white goods such as washers, dryers, refrigerators, and air conditioners by appointment only on Thursdays, requiring residents to schedule with DPW by Wednesday and remove all hazardous materials before placement.

Garfield Chapter 249 makes recycling mandatory, requiring residents to separate recyclables from other solid waste and place commingled glass, metal, and #1 or #2 plastics in recycling barrels or clear plastic bags only.

Garfield prohibits placing garbage, refuse, solid waste, or recyclables at the curb earlier than 4:00 p.m. the day before the scheduled collection, with first-offense fines of $500 escalating to $2,000 for repeat violators.

Garfield permits fixed-location food trucks only in the B-1 Central Business District, with one truck per lot, a 40-foot length limit, and an annual licensing process.

Garfield issues mobile food vendor licenses through the Health Department, capping active licenses at five per twelve-month period and giving preference to Garfield residents.

Garfield requires peddlers, canvassers, and door-to-door solicitors to obtain a city-issued permit before selling, soliciting orders, or canvassing residences within city limits.

Garfield's peddling and soliciting chapter regulates the hours during which door-to-door solicitation may occur and requires conduct standards for permitted solicitors in the city.

Garfield's Chapter 119 curfew, adopted by Ordinance 3015 in 2023, prohibits minors from being in public places between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and between midnight and 6 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Garfield's park regulations prohibit loitering in any city park more than one-half hour after sunset and bar new games or events from starting after 9:30 p.m., with no inning or period beginning after 10:30 p.m.

Garfield caps how much of a residential rear yard may be covered by detached accessory buildings, in addition to district-specific lot coverage percentages set by zone.

Garfield requires every building to comply with district-specific yard, lot width, and area regulations, with extra setbacks for properties along railroad rights-of-way.

Garfield prohibits any building from being erected or structurally altered to exceed the height limit set for its zoning district under Article VIII of the zoning code.

Garfield's tree code designates trees of significance and removes the standard fine cap when one is unlawfully removed.

Garfield requires a building department permit before removing street trees or sufficiently large non-street trees on private property.

Garfield requires replacement plantings after qualifying tree removals, using a city-approved species list and excluding invasive species.

Garfield limits garage sales to four per calendar year per person and four per calendar year at any single address, regardless of who is hosting the sale.

Garfield requires a $10 permit for any garage, attic, or rummage sale, picked up from the Police Department on the day of the sale and displayed on site.