Linden, NJ Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)

Chapter 31, Zoning, § 31-49 addresses short-term rentals directly rather than through a permit system. Subsection (a) carves out one narrow exception: a homeowner may let a member of their own housekeeping unit, such as a house guest, occupy the dwelling for 30 days or less without consideration. Outside that exception, subsection (b) forbids anyone from undertaking, maintaining, authorizing, aiding, facilitating, soliciting or advertising a rental that violates the section, and subsection (c) makes it unlawful for any owner, lessor or sublessor with a possessory interest in a dwelling to receive compensation of any kind for occupancy of 30 days or less.

Because the ordinance is framed as a prohibition rather than a licensing scheme, there is no application, fee schedule or inspection process to describe: a would-be host cannot cure the violation by registering with the City. 2, "Businesses and Occupations," which adds the enforcement mechanics missing from Chapter 31: the Zoning Officer, Fire Department, Police Department and any other City official the City designates may issue a summons or civil complaint for a violation. That section sets the fine at up to $1,000 for each day a rental continues after the owner receives written notice, with every additional day treated as a new and separate offense.

This is a Linden ordinance only; nearby Irvington Township runs its own, separate rent-related regime and its rules do not apply here, and Union County government has no role in enforcing it.