West New York, NJ Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)

Chapter 380A, Vacation Rentals, Short-Term, was adopted 1-18-2018 as Ord. No. 35/17, and its enforcement section was amended 1-29-2025 by Ord. No. 1/25. The definition in § 380A-1 covers the rental of any dwelling unit, accessory building or structure, garage, attic or basement, in whole or in part, to any person for exclusive transient use of 30 consecutive days or less, where the unit is only approved for permanent residential occupancy and not approved for transient occupancy by the chapter. Rentals within Town-approved hotels, motels and bed-and-breakfasts are not vacation rentals. Section 380A-2 then bars any person from undertaking, maintaining, authorizing, aiding, facilitating or advertising any vacation rental activity that does not comply with the Code.

The permit question is answered by § 380A-3. Subsection A lets the Board of Commissioners promulgate regulations that can include permit conditions, reporting requirements, inspection frequencies, enforcement procedures, advertising restrictions, disclosure requirements or insurance requirements, and it makes failure to comply with any such regulation unlawful. Subsection B lets the Board set all fees and charges needed to carry out the chapter. The chapter itself prints no application form, no fee amount and no approval process, so the permit conditions live in whatever regulations the Board adopts.

The preamble in § 380A-0.1 explains the purpose: the Town covers just 1.3 square miles and an estimated 54,000 residents, and the Board of Commissioners found it in the best interest of the Town to prohibit short-term vacation rentals in residential properties that jeopardize the community's welfare. The Police Department, Code Enforcement Official or Health Officer can issue a Municipal Court summons under § 380A-4.