Passaic, NJ Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)

Chapter 100's definitions section, added by Ordinance No. 2512-26 on February 3, 2026 as part of Passaic's new short-term rental registration program, defines OCCUPANCY LOAD as 'the maximum number of occupants permitted in a short-term rental unit, as determined by the City Code Enforcement Inspectors based upon applicable building, fire, and property maintenance codes' (§ 100-1). Rather than writing one citywide bedroom or square-footage formula into the short-term rental chapter itself, Passaic ties each unit's cap to the standards already set by the Uniform Construction Code, the Fire Prevention chapter and Chapter 219, Property Maintenance, as applied by inspectors during the registration review required under § 100-15A(14).

The same registration application also indirectly limits guest vehicle traffic tied to occupancy: renters are limited to one vehicle per two occupants on-site, unless the City approves otherwise (§ 100-15A(9)). Separately, § 100-15I bars renting a short-term unit to a primary occupant younger than 21, and requires at least one adult over 21 to be present in the unit for the full term of any stay, tying occupancy composition, not just headcount, to a hard rule rather than an inspector's calculation.