Clifton, NJ Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)

Chapter 210, adopted in 1995 and rewritten in 1996, requires every owner and/or tenant of a dwelling unit in Clifton, whether owned, leased, rented or otherwise occupied, to file a dwelling certificate with the City on a prescribed form, with both owner and tenant certifying the information is true. Section 210-2 sets the filing triggers: not more than 60 days before any change of occupancy or the first occupancy of a newly built or reconstructed building, and not more than 60 days before any conveyance of title.

A landlord can also demand, in writing, that a tenant disclose the identities and ages of all occupants; if the tenant refuses, the owner files the certificate anyway along with a written statement of the refusal. Section 210-3 requires a City dwelling inspection on most changes of occupancy, unless the property already had a certificate and inspection within the prior six months, and that inspection must happen before a title transfer under Section 210-5. Section 210-4 grades the fee by scenario: $5 per unit if no inspection is needed, $75 per unit for a change of occupancy (covering the smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector and fire extinguisher certifications), and, for a title conveyance, $125 per unit if requested more than 20 business days ahead, $200 if requested 4 to 20 business days ahead, and $300 if requested four or fewer business days ahead.