Jersey City, NJ Short-Term Rentals: Registration Rules (2026)

Chapter 255 of the Jersey City Municipal Code requires every short-term rental operator to register the unit with the Division of Housing Code Enforcement before accepting any guests or listing the unit on any platform. Registration includes an application identifying the owner, operator, and local contact person who can respond to complaints within one hour, proof of primary residence for owner-occupied units, proof of liability insurance, a floor plan, and payment of the permit fee. Permits are issued for a one-year term and must be renewed annually. The permit number must appear in every online listing and advertisement. Jersey City staff actively scrape platforms for unregistered listings and issue violations for any advertisement lacking a valid permit number. Condominium and cooperative applicants must provide written authorization from the association. Rental units in non-owner-occupied buildings with four or more dwelling units are generally prohibited from STR operation unless grandfathered. The Division maintains a searchable registry of active STR permits for public lookup.