Passaic, NJ Short-Term Rentals: Primary-Residence-Only Rule (2026)

' Passaic doesn't leave 'principal residence' to interpretation, § 100-1 defines it with a documentary test and a durational floor. An owner has to document the address as their permanent residence with at least two of three proofs: motor vehicle registration or a state-issued ID, tax documents listing the unit as the person's residence, or a utility bill in their name at that address. Beyond the paperwork, the owner must actually reside there for a minimum of 275 days during the calendar year, and a person can have only one principal residence at a time.

For a property with two or more legally permitted dwelling units, such as a duplex, § 100-1 clarifies that 'principal residence' refers only to the specific unit the owner actually occupies. This 275-day floor works alongside the OWNER-OCCUPIED definition in § 100-1, which lets an entity owner satisfy the requirement through a principal, member, or other natural person with an ownership interest who lives at the address and identifies it as their principal residence. The Zoning Verification Letter required under § 100-15A(15) is where the City checks that the applicant's stated principal residence actually matches the property being registered.