East Orange, NJ Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)

East Orange's Department of Policy, Planning and Development requires annual registration of multi-family rental buildings under § 159-55 of Chapter 159, Property Maintenance. Any premises with five or more dwelling units must be registered on a form supplied by the Public Officer, listing the owner's name and address, the name and address of any lessor or operator other than the owner, the name and address of any City-resident agent in charge of the premises, and, for corporate owners, the registered agent or responsible individual's name and address.

Registration is due by June 1 of every year and must be updated within two weeks of any change in owner, registered agent, responsible individual, operator or superintendent. Establishments already licensed under the lodging house, boardinghouse, nursing home and child-care provisions of §§ 159-162 through 159-201 are exempt from this separate registration, since they already file comparable information as part of their license application under § 159-163. Registration ties directly into the building's public directory and posting duties at §§ 159-56 and 159-57, which require a tenant directory near the entrance and posted contact information for the owner or agent and, where required, the superintendent.

Buildings that must register under § 159-55 are the same buildings for which a fine or penalty becomes collectible as a lien under § 159-43. Failing to register, or to update the registration after a change in ownership or management, is enforceable as a Chapter 159 violation under the general penalty provision at § 159-44.