West New York, NJ Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)

Habitability in a West New York rental turns on two adopted codes and a leasing certificate. For hotels and multiple dwellings, § 260-36 adopts in its entirety Chapter 10, Maintenance of Hotels and Multiple Dwellings Regulations, promulgated by the Bureau of Housing Inspection of the Department of Community Affairs, and incorporates the codification at N.J.A.C. 5:10-1.1 as amended from time to time. The Building Inspector of the Town of West New York administers and enforces it. For all buildings and structures, § 299-5 adopts the International Property Maintenance Code 2015, administered by the Building Department. The Town's own property maintenance article adds that owners and managers must repair all deteriorated or dilapidated portions of the property (§ 299-3(A)).

The Town also gates new leases. Under § 260-19, a landlord with more than two apartment dwelling units per structure must obtain and file an apartment certificate of occupancy before any unit is leased to a new tenant. The application form comes from the Division of Housing Inspection and must state that no violations exist in the unit to be rented (§ 260-21). The certificate is issued within five days after the application is received, but only once a representative of the Division of Housing Inspection determines that all applicable Building and Housing Codes are complied with (§ 260-22). A temporary certificate for minor violations runs for a period not to exceed 90 days (§ 260-23); if the violations are not cured, it can be revoked and the unit vacated within 30 days from receipt of the notice. The inspection request carries a $50 application fee, a temporary certificate request carries $50 per apartment dwelling unit, and the certificate stipulates the maximum number of occupants permitted in each unit (§ 260-24). No new inspection is needed if the building or unit was inspected within 12 months before the application (§ 260-25).

A person aggrieved by a denial appeals in writing to the Director of the Department of Public Affairs, who must hear the appeal and file a decision with the Town Clerk within five days after submission unless the applicant consents to more time (§ 260-27).