Stafford Township, NJ Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)

Section 164-2 of the Stafford Township Code requires registration by any owner of real property in the Township who does not reside at the property, in the case of residential premises, or does not operate a business at the property, in the case of commercial property. The code defines real property broadly in § 164-1: any type of real estate, including commercial or residential, improved or unimproved lots, single-family homes, multiple dwellings and property held in any manner, including fee simple, condominium or cooperative form of ownership. The owner registers with the Clerk of the Township on a form provided by the Municipal Clerk's office, and the section cites N.J.S.A. 40:48-2.53 as the state authority. Subsection B allows the Township Clerk to forward a copy of any registration to the Clerk of the County. The chapter defines street address as the address at which the person actually resides, including a street name or rural delivery route and any post office box number.

Registration does not replace inspection. Subsection C also requires the owner to comply with Article I of Chapter 81. Under § 81-1, all buildings, structures and units leased or rented, regardless of the term, are inspected by the Code Official on every initial occupancy or change of occupancy, with no more than one such inspection of each leased or rented building, structure or unit in any calendar year. Under § 81-2A, inspected units must comply with Township ordinances, N.J.S.A. 55:13A-1 et seq. and 55:13B-1 et seq. and the applicable provisions of the International Property Maintenance Code, 2021.

Rentals of less than 175 consecutive days to a person with a permanent residence elsewhere fall under Article II of the same chapter, which adds a separate seasonal rental license issued by the Construction Code Official. Section 164-2 itself prints no registration fee.