Lakewood, NJ Rental Inspections: Inspection Programs (2026)
Key Facts
- Notice after vacancy
- 10 days
- Inspection turnaround
- 5 business days
- C.O. fee
- $65
- Reinspection fee
- $30
- Enforcing dept
- Code Enforcement and Zoning
- Housing Authority
- exempt from fee
Summary
Every time a tenant moves out of a Lakewood Township rental with two or more units, the owner must notify the Department of Code Enforcement and Zoning within 10 days and pass a Township inspection before re-renting, under § 15-3.6 of the Code. The inspection and Certificate of Occupancy cost $65, with a $30 reinspection fee if problems are found.
Within 10 days after a tenant moves out of and vacates an apartment or dwelling unit in any residential premises containing two or more apartments or dwelling units, the owner of the premises shall file with the Department of Code Enforcement and Zoning a statement under oath containing the address of the premises, the number or other specific designation of the apartment vacated... No vacated apartment shall be rented or occupied in whole or in part by any new tenant until an inspection has been made by the aforesaid Department as to whether the apartment is in violation of any of the applicable laws of the Township, State of New Jersey or the United States of America. If no violation is found, the Department of Code Enforcement and Zoning shall issue a Certificate of Occupancy... The fee for a Certificate of Occupancy shall be $65. Any required reinspection fee shall be $30.
Full Breakdown
Lakewood Township, Ocean County, runs its rental inspection program through Chapter 15 of the Township Code. 3 bars any owner of a multiple dwelling or single-family rental from leasing, subleasing, renting, letting, or selling a unit unless the Department of Code Enforcement and Zoning has first issued a Certificate of Occupancy confirming compliance with Township ordinances and the State Housing Code and finding the unit safe and fit for human habitation. 2 requires the owner to file a sworn statement listing the address, owner's name, the managing agent, the number of units, and the current tenants.
6 gives the owner 10 days after a tenant vacates to notify the Department, and bars re-renting the unit until the Department inspects it for violations of Township, state, or federal law. 6c gives the Department five days from the application to complete the inspection and either issue the Certificate of Occupancy or a notice of violations; if the Department misses that five-day window, the unit may be occupied but remains subject to a later inspection and a 10-day vacate order if a violation turns up. 6e. 16.
Violations & Fines
Renting or re-renting a unit without the required Certificate of Occupancy, or ignoring a Department notice of violations after a vacancy inspection, is a Township Code violation. Because Chapter 15 sets no separate fine for § 15-3, it falls to the Township's general penalty at § 1-5.1: up to a $1,000 fine, 90 days in jail, or 90 days of community service, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense under § 1-5.5.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Lakewood Township, NJ require an inspection before renting an apartment?
What must a Lakewood landlord do when a tenant moves out?
How much does a Lakewood rental inspection cost?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lakewood
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Inspection Programs in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle inspection programs.