Trenton, NJ Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- City Code Ch. 132, Housing Standards
- Minimum heat
- 70°F when outdoor temp ≥ 0°F
- Hot water minimum
- 120°F, 1 gallon/minute
- Enforcing officer
- Chief Housing Inspector
- Unsatisfactory-rated units
- Vacated immediately
- Conditional cure period
- 30 days to fix violations
Summary
Trenton's Housing Code bars anyone from occupying or renting out a dwelling that fails its minimum standards for heat, hot water, plumbing, and pest control. The Chief Housing Inspector enforces the code and can condemn units that fall short.
§ 132-24. Compliance required. No person shall occupy or let to another for occupancy any dwelling or dwelling unit, for the purpose of living, sleeping, cooking or eating therein, which does not comply with the requirements of this article. ... § 132-33. Heat requirements. Every dwelling, business and commercial building shall have supplied heating facilities which are properly installed, are maintained in safe and good working condition, and are capable of safely and adequately heating all habitable rooms, bathrooms, and water closet compartments in every dwelling unit located therein to a temperature of at least 70º F., when the outdoor temperature is at or above 0º F.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4853025; v21 updated 2025-12-16; through 12-16-2025).
Full Breakdown
City Code Chapter 132 sets the baseline every rental unit must meet before it can be occupied or let. Section 132-24 makes compliance with the whole basic-equipment article a condition of occupancy. The specifics are concrete: every dwelling unit needs a kitchen sink and a toilet room affording privacy, both properly connected to City water and sewer (§§ 132-27, 132-28), plus a bathtub or shower (§ 132-29). Heating facilities must keep every habitable room, bathroom and water closet at a minimum of 70 degrees Fahrenheit whenever the outdoor temperature is at or above 0 degrees, measured three feet above the floor (§ 132-33).
Water heaters must deliver at least one gallon per minute at 120 degrees Fahrenheit at every required sink, basin, tub or shower (§ 132-36). Seasonal insect screening is required from May 1 to October 1 on doors and windows opening outdoors (§ 132-37), and basement openings must be screened against rodents (§ 132-38). Owners must supply working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors on every level (§ 132-40). The Chief Housing Inspector is the administrative officer for the chapter (§ 132-3) and may promulgate enforcement rules filed with the City Clerk (§ 132-5).
A landlord cannot occupy or rent a vacant unit unless it is reasonably clean, sanitary, and code-compliant, and must disclose the maximum occupant count in writing (§ 132-65).
Violations & Fines
Noncompliant units can be rated Unsatisfactory (immediate vacate order) or Conditional under § 132-86, giving the owner 30 days to correct cited violations before daily court fines apply under Chapter 1, Article III, General Penalty. Housing Inspectors issue notices of violation under § 132-12, and a building can be condemned and placarded under § 132-23 if deficiencies go uncorrected after the notice period runs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature must a Trenton rental be heated to?
Can I be forced out of a Trenton rental for code violations?
Does Trenton require smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in rentals?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Trenton
Compare Trenton to another location·View the New Jersey rental property rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.