Montclair State University CDP (part), Passaic County, New Jersey, NJ

Passaic County, NJ does not enforce a countywide residential dog leash ordinance. Under N.J.S.A. 4:19-15.1 et seq. (NJ dog licensing and rabies control law), each of the 16 Passaic municipalities licenses dogs and enforces leash and at-large rules. Wayne Township Code Chapter 68 requires dogs to be on a leash no longer than 6 feet when off the owner's property. Paterson, Clifton, and Passaic City have their own animal control divisions enforcing similar leash rules. All dogs 7 months and older must be licensed annually with proof of current rabies vaccination through the municipality of residence. The Passaic County SPCA assists with cruelty enforcement.

Passaic County, NJ does not adopt countywide residential quiet hours. Under New Jersey home rule (N.J.S.A. 40:48-1) and the Municipal Land Use Law (N.J.S.A. 40:55D), each of the 16 Passaic municipalities (Paterson, Clifton, Wayne, Passaic City, Hawthorne, etc.) sets its own noise ordinance. The state Noise Control Act (N.J.S.A. 13:1G) and N.J.A.C. 7:29 set a 50 dB(A) night / 65 dB(A) day limit at residential property lines for commercial and industrial sources only. Paterson Code Chapter 337 (Noise) governs the county seat. Call municipal police - not the County - for residential noise complaints.

Passaic County, NJ does not regulate residential fence heights. Under New Jersey's Municipal Land Use Law (N.J.S.A. 40:55D), zoning - including fence height, setbacks, and materials - is the exclusive authority of the 16 Passaic municipalities. Typical Passaic County rules follow NJ's common pattern: 4 feet maximum in front yards (often required to be at least 50% open on corner lots) and 6 feet maximum in side and rear yards. Clifton Code Chapter 461 allows up to 8 feet on interior lines with 50% open construction. Pool barriers must comply with N.J.A.C. 5:23 (NJ Uniform Construction Code). Always check your municipal building/zoning office before installing a fence.

Passaic County sets no STR occupancy limit. New Jersey has no statewide STR cap; municipalities set occupancy. The NJ Uniform Construction Code (NJAC 5:23) adopts the IRC and IPMC, which generally require 70 sq ft for the first occupant and 50 sq ft for each additional in any sleeping room. Paterson, Clifton, Passaic, and Wayne set their own caps.

Passaic County imposes no county-level STR tax or fee. New Jersey applies a 6.625% Sales Tax (NJSA 54:32B-3) plus a 5% State Occupancy Fee (NJSA 54:32D-1) on covered transient stays. Passaic County municipalities (Paterson, Clifton, Passaic) may add a local hotel/motel occupancy tax up to 3% under NJSA 40:48E.

Passaic County has no STR parking ordinance. NJ does not preempt local STR parking rules, so each Passaic municipality (Paterson, Clifton, Passaic, Wayne) sets parking minimums under its zoning code per the Municipal Land Use Law (NJSA 40:55D-1). On-street parking on county roads is governed by N.J. Title 39 motor vehicle law and county park rules.

Passaic County, NJ does not license short-term rentals. New Jersey requires hosts using a marketplace (Airbnb, Vrbo) or professionally managed units to collect 6.625% State Sales Tax and the State Occupancy Fee under P.L. 2018 c. 49 (effective Oct. 1, 2018, amended by P.L. 2019 c. 235). Paterson currently has no specific STR ordinance but requires landlord registration; other Passaic towns set their own rules.

Passaic County, NJ does not regulate accessory dwelling units. New Jersey has no statewide ADU preemption — ADUs are governed by each municipality's zoning ordinance under the Municipal Land Use Law (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-1 et seq., P.L. 1975 c. 291). Paterson, Clifton, Passaic, Wayne, and other Passaic County towns set their own size, parking, and owner-occupancy rules.

Passaic County, NJ sits at the heart of the Passaic River Basin — a 935-square-mile watershed with chronic, severe flooding in Paterson, Wayne, Pompton Lakes, Little Falls, and Pequannock. Floodplain development is jointly regulated by FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (44 CFR Part 60) and the NJ Flood Hazard Area Control Act (N.J.S.A. 58:16A-50 et seq.) with rules at N.J.A.C. 7:13. NJ rules are stricter than FEMA minimums.