Ridgewood, NJ Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)

Chapter 175 of the Village of Ridgewood Code sets the baseline habitability standard for every rented dwelling in the Village. Under § 175-2, whoever is contractually or legally obligated to furnish heat for an occupied building, apartment or business space must maintain a minimum temperature of 68°F, and the temperature may never fall below 65°F. in every habitable room. Where heat is supplied by a furnace or boiler under the owner's or agent's control and there is no contrary agreement with the tenant, § 175-3 deems the owner to have contracted to furnish heat on those terms.

Section 175-6 requires at least 140°F hot water in any building occupied by two or more families whenever the owner has agreed to supply it, and § 175-7 obligates an owner who has agreed to provide refrigeration to keep it in working order for the wholesome preservation of food. Section 175-8's sanitary regulations bar renting out space that lacks adequate lighting, ventilation or sanitary facilities, or that is infested with vermin or otherwise dangerous to health. Article III adopts the Uniform Construction Code and the BOCA National Property Maintenance Code as the fitness standard (§§ 175-10, 175-11), and empowers the Construction Code Official to investigate dwelling conditions and determine a dwelling unfit for human habitation under §§ 175-12 and 175-13 when defects create fire, sanitation or structural hazards.