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

Section 18:14-3 of the Revised General Ordinances requires the owner or operator of a short-term rental property (STRP) to obtain a permit from the Department of Engineering before renting or advertising any short-term rental, in addition to any applicable land use requirements. First-time and renewal applicants must submit a $250 annual application/registration fee that is non-refundable even if denied, and that fee also covers the accompanying rental Certificate of Code Compliance application. To qualify, an existing STR operator cannot have had more than two documented, verified police-complaint incidents tied to the property in the prior two years, cannot have a Municipal Court-documented noise ordinance violation in the prior two years, must be current on city taxes and water/sewer charges, and must have no open Code Enforcement violations.

Under Section 18:14-4, the full application requires owner and agent contact information, a driver's license or state ID confirming principal residence, sworn certifications, parking space counts, and a condominium association letter of approval where applicable, plus a Zoning Compliance Certificate. The Department must approve or issue a written denial within 10 business days under Section 18:14-5, with a 10-business-day window to appeal a denial to the Business Administrator, who must decide within 30 days. The permit automatically expires on any change of ownership, requiring a new application and fee, and a revoked or suspended permit likewise requires a fresh first-time application.