Essex County sets no STR occupancy limit. New Jersey has no statewide STR cap; municipalities set occupancy. The NJ Uniform Construction Code (NJAC 5:23) adopts the IRC/IBC, which generally requires 70 sq ft for the first occupant and 50 sq ft for each additional in a sleeping room. Newark, Bloomfield, and other Essex municipalities set their own caps.
Under NJSA 40A:9-1 et seq., New Jersey counties do not regulate short-term rentals; Essex County has adopted no countywide STR occupancy ordinance. New Jersey has no statewide STR preemption or occupancy cap. Each Essex County municipality can adopt its own occupancy rules under the Municipal Land Use Law (NJSA 40:55D-1 et seq.) and Local Health Services regulations. The state floor is the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code at NJAC 5:23, which adopts the International Residential Code and International Property Maintenance Code. IPMC Section 404.4.1 requires every bedroom to provide at least 70 square feet of floor area for the first occupant and 50 square feet for each additional occupant. Newark, Bloomfield, East Orange, and Irvington each impose their own STR occupancy limits, often two per bedroom plus two additional, or capped by parking and bedroom count. Confirm specific caps with the municipal zoning office of the city where the unit is located.
Exceeding occupancy under a municipal STR ordinance can trigger fines, permit suspension, or revocation under each city's code. Overcrowding under IPMC 404.4.1 as adopted by NJAC 5:23 is enforceable by the local construction code official.
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