Passaic, NJ Public Health Rules: Bed-Bug Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Extermination deadline
- 10 days after written notice, § 125-18
- Who must treat
- Owner, via a licensed pesticide applicator
- Treatment scope
- Adjacent, above and below units too
- Adopted
- 9-5-2018 by Ord. No. 2165-18
- Enforcers
- Division of Health and Department of Housing
Summary
Passaic declares bedbugs a public nuisance and puts the extermination duty on the property owner. Under Code of the City of Passaic § 125-18, once City personnel confirm an infestation in a rental unit, the owner must hire a licensed pesticide applicator to treat it, plus the units on either side and above and below, within 10 days of written notice.
Bedbugs are hereby declared to be a public nuisance and are subject to the abatement provisions of this article. In any rental unit, or any multiple rental unit building, in which authorized City personnel confirm an infestation of bedbugs following an investigation, it is the responsibility of the property owner to provide pest control services by a licensed pesticide applicator until such time that no evidence of bedbugs can be found on reinspection by authorized City personnel. Pest control services shall be provided within 10 days after being notified in writing by authorized City personnel after same has conducted on inspection and confirmed the presence of bedbugs on the premises or in the tenant's rental unit.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4978046; v41 updated 2026-07-01; through 07-01-2026).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 125, Article III, "Bedbug Control," was adopted 9-5-2018 by Ordinance No. 2165-18 and applies to rental units and multiple rental unit buildings (three or more rental units) in the City of Passaic. " That service must begin "within 10 days after being notified in writing" of a confirmed infestation, and treatment must extend to the units directly beside, above and below the affected unit, repeating until no further infestation is detected. C. 7:30-6 or 7:30-8 must perform the work, tenants or owners cannot self-treat to satisfy the ordinance.
Section 125-19 separately bans dumping infested bedding, clothing or furnishings on the public way or in a shared dumpster unless sealed in a labeled plastic bag for pickup, and bars recycling any infested item outright. The Division of Health and the Department of Housing jointly enforce the article under § 125-20.
Violations & Fines
Failing to exterminate a confirmed bedbug infestation within the 10-day window in § 125-18, or improperly disposing of infested bedding or furnishings under § 125-19, violates Chapter 125, Article III. The Division of Health and Department of Housing enforce the article, and § 125-21 subjects violators to the Code's general penalty: up to a $2,000 fine, 90 days' imprisonment, or 90 days' community service, with continuing violations charged daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has to pay to exterminate bedbugs in a Passaic rental?
How fast must a Passaic landlord respond to a confirmed bedbug infestation?
Can I throw bedbug-infested furniture in the regular trash in Passaic?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Passaic
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