All NJ landlords must file a Landlord Identity Registration (N.J.S.A. 46:8-28). Ocean County municipalities add local rental certificate-of-occupancy requirements — Lakewood Ch. 15 requires pre-rental CO; Seaside Heights requires STR license.
Two layers apply. Statewide: N.J.S.A. 46:8-28 (Truth in Renting) requires every landlord of a 1-2 family non-owner-occupied rental or any 3+ unit building to file a Landlord Registration Statement with the municipal clerk (and a copy with NJ DCA for 3+ unit buildings). Tenants get a copy with contact info for the owner, managing agent, and repair contact. Locally: Lakewood (Ch. 15 Rental Housing) requires a Certificate of Occupancy before each new tenancy, issued by Code Enforcement after inspection. Toms River, Brick, Jackson, Berkeley, Stafford, and barrier-island boroughs generally require CO inspections for change-of-occupancy under N.J.A.C. 5:70 (Uniform Fire Code) and local housing codes. Seaside Heights runs a separate Short-Term Rental Permit program. Inspection fees typically run $75 to $150 per unit. Lead-based paint inspections (P.L. 2021 c.182) are required every 3 years (or at turnover) for pre-1978 rentals.
No state registration: fine up to $500 per N.J.S.A. 46:8-35. Renting without a CO in Lakewood or other required towns: stop-rental order, fines $100 to $1,250 under municipal penalty schedules, possible disgorgement of rent collected.
Ocean County, NJ
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See how Ocean County's rental registration rules stack up against other locations.
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