Stafford Township, NJ Short-Term Rentals: Taxes & Fees (2026)

Section 164-14 sets the only two fees printed in Article II of Chapter 164: $100 for an application for a seasonal rental license and $50 for an application for reinspection. The Code Official collects them. Under § 164-5A, that term means the Township Construction Code Official, his designee or an agency authorized to inspect for the Township. A license is required before anyone occupies real property rented for fewer than 175 consecutive days for residential purposes by a person with a permanent residence elsewhere, and § 164-7 requires a separate license for every individual dwelling unit.

The fee is part of the application, not an afterthought. Section 164-9B says an application is not complete unless the applicant submits the inspection fee indicated in § 164-14. The same section also requires proof that property taxes, assessments, municipal water charges, municipal sewer charges and other municipal charges are paid, a certification signed by the tenants, and a floor plan with the first application.

Hosts renting for 31 days or less to different tenants can ask for a special license under § 164-8. It is valid for the whole period, up to 174 days, so a new license is not required each time the tenants change. The applicant must notify the Code Official in writing of each change in tenants, with the rental duration and tenant contact information, and no separate inspection is required for each change.

The reinspection fee matters because of the schedule in § 164-12. A first reinspection requested before May 1 is conducted within three business days, and one requested on or after May 1 within five business days. Each reinspection after the first happens within five business days after the Code Official receives the $50 fee. Initial inspections of applications filed before May 1 occur within five business days, and within 10 business days after May 1.