What should South Orange hosts know about adus (accessory dwelling units) are?

ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) are strictly prohibited from being used as short-term rentals.

What should South Orange hosts know about rentals are capped at 28?

Rentals are capped at 28 consecutive days; stays longer than 28 days are considered long-term leases subject to different regulations.

What should South Orange hosts know about annual renewal is required by?

Annual renewal is required by July 1st of each year, regardless of when the permit was first issued.

South Orange

Strict

STRs Allowed

New JerseyLast updated: February 12, 2026

Baseline Verification

100%

Basic verification complete

Verified: Feb 12, 2026

Summary

South Orange requires an annual registration permit and a fire safety inspection for all short-term rental properties.

Restriction Level

⛔

Strict

Score: 81 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Primary residence required
•Owner-occupied required
•Standard permit fee: $150
•Limited to 1 property per owner
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•Safety standards required
•No night cap

In Plain English

If you want to rent your home for less than 28 days at a time, you must register with the Township and pay an annual fee. You are required to pass a fire safety inspection, and you cannot use Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) for short-term rentals. Hosts must typically maintain the property as their primary residence or live on-site to comply with local character regulations.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$150

Processing Time

2-3 weeks

Max Fine

$2,000

3 Things Hosts Often Miss

Regulation Details

Eligibility(10)

•South Orange: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
•South Orange requires that the property be the host's primary residence. Primary residence is defined as: Property must be owner-occupied or the host's principal residence for a minimum of 9 months per year.
•South Orange: ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) are strictly prohibited from being used as short-term rentals.

Requirements(11)

•South Orange requires STR registration. The permit is called "Rental Registration and Fire Certificate of Inspection". Apply through Township Clerk & Fire Department. Processing time: 2-3 weeks. Renewal is required.
•South Orange: Hosts must report their rental activity per-booking to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.

Application Process(7)

•South Orange STR permit - Step 1: Register with Township Clerk. Submit a Rental Registration Form to the Township of South Orange Village Clerk's office. Required documents: Proof of residency, Emergency contact info. Time: 1 week. Cost: 50.
•South Orange extended permit requirement: Includes $50 for registration and $100-$150 for mandatory fire safety inspections

Fees & Costs(1)

•South Orange charges a registration fee of $150 (annual).

Taxes(2)

•South Orange charges a Municipal Occupancy Tax of 0.03%. This applies to stays under 90 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO generally collect state and local taxes, but owners are responsible for any unpaid municipal portion.
•New Jersey has a state sales tax of 0.06625% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & Restrictions(6)

•South Orange: Rentals are capped at 28 consecutive days; stays longer than 28 days are considered long-term leases subject to different regulations.
•South Orange limits stays to a maximum of 28 nights.
•South Orange occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom plus 2. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•South Orange limits STRs to a maximum of 8 guests. Formula: 2 per bedroom plus 2

Safety Requirements(1)

•South Orange requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Lead-based paint certification for older homes, Egress plan required, Oil supplier contact info if applicable.

Penalties(3)

•South Orange enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500 fine. Second offense: $1,000 fine. Third offense: License revocation. Daily fine: $500 per day. Maximum fine: 2000. Permit may be revoked for violations.
•South Orange: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(2)

•South Orange exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Licensed Bed and Breakfasts, Hotels.
•South Orange: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

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Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched 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.

Other New Jersey Markets

Asbury Park

New Jersey

Strict

Asbury Park heavily regulates short-term rentals under Chapter 13-13, requiring an annual permit and a mandatory safety inspection for every new occupancy term. Rentals are limited to 180 days per year and are strictly prohibited in rent-controlled or affordable housing units.

Permit requiredNight limits

0.1% total tax

Long Beach Township

New Jersey

Moderate

Long Beach Township requires an annual Short-Term Rental Permit for any residential dwelling rented for 30 days or less. Hosts must comply with strict occupancy limits (2 per bedroom + 2, max 10) and undergo annual fire safety inspections.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Wildwood

New Jersey

Moderate

Short-term rentals are strictly regulated in the City of Wildwood via Chapter 10-14. Hosts must obtain an annual STR permit and Mercantile License, pass fire safety inspections, and carry $500,000 in liability insurance.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Jersey City

New Jersey

Prohibited

Short-term rentals in Jersey City are strictly regulated and limited to owner-occupied primary residences. Hosts are limited to unhosted rentals for a maximum of 60 nights per year unless they are present during the stay.

Permit requiredNight limitsPrimary residence

South Orange

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Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

3 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(10)

Requirements(11)

Application Process(7)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(6)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(3)

Exemptions(2)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other New Jersey Markets

Asbury Park

Long Beach Township

Wildwood

Jersey City

South Orange

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

3 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in South Orange?

2What is the TOT tax rate in South Orange?

3Are there residency requirements for hosts in South Orange?

4What are the fire safety requirements for rentals in South Orange?

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Other New Jersey Markets

Asbury Park

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Jersey City