Newark's 2019 STR ordinance restricts most short-term rental activity to the host's primary residence, blocking absentee-investor whole-home Airbnbs in residential zones absent specific licensing exceptions.
Under Ordinance 6PSF-c, a short-term rental unit must generally be the registered host's principal place of residence. Hosts must demonstrate primary residency through driver's license, voter registration, or utility bills tied to the address. The intent is to preserve long-term rental housing stock during Newark's affordability crisis and prevent commercial conversion of one-to-four-unit homes — particularly in high-demand neighborhoods near Newark Liberty Airport, Prudential Center, and the Ironbound. Non-primary-residence operators face denial of registration and enforcement by the Department of Economic and Housing Development. Limited carve-outs exist for licensed bed-and-breakfasts and commercially zoned lodging.
Listing a non-primary residence as a Newark STR is grounds for registration denial, fines, and orders to cease operation. Repeat violators may be referred for prosecution under Title 14.
Newark, NJ
Newark Ch. 18:14 (amended Dec. 2023, enforced Sept. 2024) requires annual STR registration via newarknjstr.munirevs.com. The $250 permit fee covers applicati...
Newark, NJ
Newark Ordinance 6PSF-c restricts short-term rentals primarily to owner-occupied homes where the host lives onsite, with limited unhosted nights permitted on...
See how Newark's primary-residence-only rule rules stack up against other locations.
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