GoStudioM - Airbnb & VRBO Hosting Education Platform
CalendarAnalyzerAnalyticsLearnPricing
Guides
Videos
All VideosBest VideosTrending
NewsRulesTopics
GoStudioM - Airbnb & VRBO Hosting Education Platform

Built for hosts, by a host

Listing Analyzer

  • Get Listing Score
  • Title Generator
  • Review Responder
  • Guest Review Writer
  • All Listing Tools →

Cleaning Calendar

  • Try Calendar Free
  • Superhost Calculator
  • Maintenance Planner
  • All Operations Tools →

Financial Analytics

  • See Your Numbers
  • Fee Calculator
  • Special Offer Calculator
  • All Financial Tools →

Learn

  • Videos
  • News
  • Rules
  • Topics
  • Hosting Guides →

Compare

  • Best Cleaning Software
  • Turno Alternative
  • Properly Alternative
  • Hospitable Alternative
  • AirDNA Alternative

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • SMS Consent
  • Contact Us

© 2026 GoStudioM. All rights reserved.

  1. Home
  2. ·
  3. Regulations
  4. ·
  5. New Jersey
  6. ·
  7. Elizabeth

Elizabeth

Strict
New JerseyUpdated Mar 4, 2026
Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 8, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals in Elizabeth are permitted only in owner-occupied primary residences and require an annual permit and specific safety certifications.

Restriction level

Severity 91
Classification
Strict
91
Severity

Why this classification

  • Primary residence required
  • Owner-occupied required
  • Standard permit fee: $200
  • Limited to 1 property per owner
  • Tenants cannot host
  • Permit required
  • Reporting required
  • No night cap

In plain English

What this means for you

To host a short-term rental in Elizabeth, you must live in the property as your primary residence. You are required to obtain an annual permit from the city, pass fire and safety inspections, and maintain at least $500,000 in liability insurance.

At a glance

Key numbers
Permit requiredYes
Night limitNone
Primary residenceRequired
Total tax rate0.1%
Permit fee$200
Processing time2-4 weeks
Max fine$2,000

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps
  1. 1Non-owner-occupied STRs (investment properties where you don't live) are strictly prohibited.
  2. 2Stays in rent-controlled apartments are illegal even if you live there.
  3. 3The city requires a 24/7 local contact who can respond to issues within hours.
  4. 4Parking is limited to one vehicle per every two guests.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code
Eligibility10 rules
  • Elizabeth prohibits STRs in the following property types: Rent-controlled units, Public housing, Federal/State subsidized units, Units with rent set by agreement.
  • Elizabeth rent control/RSO note: STRs are strictly prohibited in any unit subject to the city's rent control ordinances (Chapter 5.70).
Requirements12 rules
  • Elizabeth STR warning: Stays in rent-controlled apartments are illegal even if you live there.
  • Elizabeth STR warning: The city requires a 24/7 local contact who can respond to issues within hours.
  • Elizabeth STR warning: Non-owner-occupied STRs (investment properties where you don't live) are strictly prohibited.
  • Elizabeth STR warning: Parking is limited to one vehicle per every two guests.
Application process6 rules
  • Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Elizabeth: Step 1: Obtain Zoning & Fire Certifications - Apply for a Rental Certificate of Occupancy from the Bureau of Planning and Zoning and a Fire Safety Certificate from the Fire Prevention Bureau. Documents needed: Proof of ownership, Property inspection. Estimated time: 2 weeks. Cost: 100. More info: https://www.elizabethnj.org/178/Planning-Zoning Step 2: Submit STR Permit Application - Complete the application via the Bureau of Central Licensing, providing proof of primary residence and safety certifications. Documents needed: Photo ID, Insurance proof, Zoning/Fire certificates, Floor plan. Estimated time: 2-4 weeks. Cost: 200. More info: https://www.elizabethnj.org/258/Central-Licensing Step 3: Register with NJ Division of Taxation - Register for a Business Registration Certificate to ensure proper collection and remittance of state sales and occupancy taxes. Documents needed: Tax ID (SSN/EIN). Estimated time: 1 week. More info: https://www.nj.gov/treasury/taxation/transient-accommodation.shtml
Fees & costs1 rule
  • Elizabeth charges a registration fee of $200 (annual).
Taxes2 rules
  • Elizabeth charges a Municipal Occupancy Tax of 0.06%. This applies to stays under 90 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Most major platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit NJ state and municipal taxes.
  • New Jersey has a state sales tax of 0.06625% that applies to STR rentals.
Limits & restrictions5 rules
  • Elizabeth limits stays to a maximum of 30 nights.
  • Elizabeth occupancy calculation: Limited to 2 guests per sleeping room; parking limited to 1 vehicle per 2 occupants.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
  • Elizabeth enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
  • Elizabeth: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
Safety requirements1 rule
  • Elizabeth requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Floor plan identifying egress, 24/7 local contact person.
Penalties3 rules
  • Elizabeth: Operating an STR in a rent-controlled unit can result in permit denial and fines. STRs are strictly prohibited in any unit subject to the city's rent control ordinances (Chapter 5.70).
Exemptions2 rules
  • Elizabeth exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Rooming houses licensed under Chapter 5.76, Hotels and Motels.
  • Elizabeth: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Elizabeth

0/3
steps completed
Step 1

Obtain Zoning & Fire Certifications

Apply for a Rental Certificate of Occupancy from the Bureau of Planning and Zoning and a Fire Safety Certificate from the Fire Prevention Bureau.

2 weeks$100
Documents needed
  • Proof of ownership
  • Property inspection
Official resource
Step 2

Submit STR Permit Application

Complete the application via the Bureau of Central Licensing, providing proof of primary residence and safety certifications.

2-4 weeks$200
Documents needed
  • Photo ID
  • Insurance proof
  • Zoning/Fire certificates
  • Floor plan
Official resource
Step 3

Register with NJ Division of Taxation

Register for a Business Registration Certificate to ensure proper collection and remittance of state sales and occupancy taxes.

1 weekFree
Documents needed
  • Tax ID (SSN/EIN)
Official resource

Frequently asked questions

4 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Related Content

Other New Jersey markets
Asbury ParkStrict

Asbury Park heavily regulates short-term rentals under Chapter 13-13, requiring an annual permit...

· Permit· Night cap· 0.1% tax
Long Beach TownshipModerate

Long Beach Township requires an annual Short-Term Rental Permit for any residential dwelling rented...

· Permit· 0.1% tax
WildwoodModerate

Short-term rentals are strictly regulated in the City of Wildwood via Chapter 10-14.

· Permit· 0.1% tax
Jersey CityProhibited

Short-term rentals in Jersey City are strictly regulated and limited to owner-occupied primary...

· Permit· Night cap· 0.1% tax