Paterson, NJ Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)
Key Facts
- Exterior pest duty
- owner (occupant if single-family)
- Interior duty triggers at
- 2+ units infested
- Owner always liable if
- building not rodentproof
- Enforced by
- Community Improvements/Housing Bureau
- Max penalty
- $1,000 fine, 90 days
Summary
Paterson makes property owners responsible for exterminating insects, rodents and other pests in exterior areas, shifting that duty to occupants only at single-family homes, under the city's housing code.
Insect and rodent harborage. Every owner of a structure or property shall be responsible for the extermination of insects, rodents, vermin or other pests in all exterior areas of the premises, except that the occupant shall be responsible for such extermination in the exterior areas of the premises of a single-family dwelling. Whenever infestation exists in the shared or public parts of the premises of other than a single-family dwelling, extermination shall be the responsibility of the owner.
E. Accessory structures. All accessory structures, including detached garages, shall be maintained structurally sound and in good repair.
F. Motor vehicles. No motor vehicle in a residential district shall at any time be in a state of any major disassembly, disrepair or shall it be in the process of being stripped or dismantled. At no time shall any vehicle of any type undergo major overhaul, including body work, in a residential district.
G. Fences All fences shall be of approved materials and kept in sound condition and repair.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4713536; v19 updated 2025-12-16; through 12-16-2025).
Full Breakdown
The Housing-Property Maintenance Code requires every property owner to exterminate insects, rodents, vermin or other pests in exterior areas, except that at single-family dwellings the occupant is responsible instead (§ 271-26(D)). Indoors, the same duty falls on the owner whenever infestation reaches two or more units or shared/public areas of a multifamily building, while an individual occupant is responsible only when infestation is confined solely to their own unit (§ 271-28(F)). Owners are always liable for infestation caused by failing to keep the building rodentproof. The Coordinator of Community Improvements enforces these standards by inspection and can order corrective action; violations bring a fine up to $1,000 (§ 271-18).
Violations & Fines
Fine up to $1,000, imprisonment or community service up to 90 days, with each day a violation continues after notice counted as a separate offense (§ 271-18).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who must pay for pest extermination in a Paterson rental?
What if my landlord let the building become infested?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Paterson
Compare Paterson to another location·View the New Jersey public health rules overview
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