Paterson, NJ Short-Term Rentals: Host Presence Rule (2026)
Key Facts
- Zone
- 11th–20th Ave, McLean Blvd–Vreeland Ave
- Rule
- Owner present required for exemption
- Adopted
- Ord. No. 24-023, April 9, 2024
- Max penalty
- $2,000 fine or 90 days jail
- Scope
- Applies only inside mapped zone
Summary
Within a specific zone bounded by 11th and 20th Avenues and by McLean Boulevard and Vreeland Avenue, unattended short-term rentals are banned unless the owner is present for a substantial part of each day, per a 2024 ordinance.
OWNER IS PRESENT: Shall mean that at least one natural person listed on the title deed as owner shall be physically present in the home for a substantial portion of every day of any short-term rental of any portion of the home. ... Except in an "owner-occupied home" ... where the "owner is present" ... "short-term rentals" ... are hereby be prohibited within the area bounded as follows...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4713536; v19 updated 2025-12-16; through 12-16-2025).
Full Breakdown
Added to the housing code by Ordinance 24-023 (adopted 4-9-2024), Chapter 275 Article II bans 'unattended' short-term rentals inside a mapped zone bounded by 11th Avenue, McLean Boulevard, 20th Avenue and Vreeland Avenue, unless the rental is in an owner-occupied home where the owner is present. Section 275-17 defines 'owner is present' as requiring at least one titled owner to be physically present in the home for a substantial portion of every day of the rental. Outside that mapped zone, this chapter does not impose a citywide host-presence requirement on short-term rentals.
Violations & Fines
Renting out a home inside the banned zone without a present owner risks a fine up to $2,000 or 90 days' imprisonment under § 275-19, with each day of an unattended rental a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Paterson require hosts to be present for all short-term rentals?
What does "owner is present" mean under Paterson's ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Paterson
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