Monroe Township (Gloucester County), NJ Short-Term Rentals: Host Presence Rule (2026)

Subsection B(4) of § 162-27 is the host-presence rule for stays under 28 days. It protects an otherwise lawful occupancy for less than 28 days only if the owner of the premises physically resides on the premises for the entire rental period and has received approval from the Township Planning and Zoning Board to operate as a bed-and-breakfast. The phrase entire rental period means the owner cannot be away for part of a guest's stay. The subsection names the board but prints no application procedure.

The owner cannot satisfy the rule through an intermediary. Section 162-27A defines owner to include any person or entity who uses, possesses, owns, leases, subleases or licenses a dwelling unit, including an operator, principal, shareholder, director, agent or employee that has charge, care, control or participates in the expenses and/or profit of the unit. A manager or co-host who runs the unit while the title holder lives elsewhere is not the owner residing on the premises.

Two other exceptions do not depend on residency. Subsection B(3) allows a stay of less than 28 days for an active duty member of the United States military. Subsection B(5) permits residential occupancy of less than 28 days by a member of the owner's housekeeping unit, with or without consideration, such as house guests. Section 162-27A defines a housekeeping unit as a family-type situation of one or more persons living together that exhibits the kind of stability, permanency and functional lifestyle equivalent to that of a traditional family unit.

Subsection B(2) attaches no residency condition to rentals of 28 days or more. Outside the exceptions, subsection B(1) makes it unlawful to take consideration for use of a dwelling unit for less than 28 days.