Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Wildwood, NJ?

**Yes**, you need both a Short-Term Rental Permit and a Mercantile License to operate legally in Wildwood. You need to apply through the City Clerk’s office, which includes an annual fee of approximately $400. A mandatory fire safety inspection is also required before approval.

What is the TOT tax rate in Wildwood, NJ?

**7% is the TOT** (Transient Occupancy Tax) rate that you must collect and remit for short-term rentals in Wildwood. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and ensuring it is properly remitted. Platforms like Airbnb may handle some of this collection and remittance for you.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Wildwood, NJ?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Wildwood, but are strictly regulated. You need to obtain an annual STR permit and Mercantile License. You must pass fire safety inspections, and carry $500,000 in liability insurance. Homes built before 1978 also need a lead-safe certificate.

How much does an STR permit cost in Wildwood, NJ?

**$400** is the approximate annual fee for both the Short-Term Rental permit and Mercantile License combined in Wildwood. This fee needs to be paid annually to the City Clerk’s office to maintain compliance with local regulations. You must also pass a fire safety inspection to obtain the permit.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Wildwood, NJ?

**No**, renters are not permitted to host on Airbnb or other short-term rental platforms in Wildwood. Only property owners are eligible to apply for the required Short-Term Rental Permit and Mercantile License. Renting out a property you do not own is a violation of city ordinances.

Wildwood, NJ Short-Term Rental Laws | Learn STR by GoStudioM

Summary

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.

Restriction Level

⚠️

Moderate

Score: 26 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•Moderate permit fee: $400
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in the City of Wildwood, you must first register for a Mercantile License and an STR permit through the City Clerk’s office. This process requires an annual fee of approximately $400 and a mandatory fire safety inspection. If your home was built before 1978, you’ll also need a lead-safe certificate. You are required to collect and remit NJ State Occupancy fees and local tourism taxes, though platforms like Airbnb may handle some of this for you.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$400

Processing Time

2-4 weeks

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Verify you are in Wildwood CITY limits, as Wildwood Crest and West Wildwood have different rules.
2.A $500,000 liability insurance policy is mandatory and must be filed with the city.
3.New Jersey State law now requires lead-paint inspections for almost all pre-1978 rental units.
4.Occupancy is strictly limited to 2 people per bedroom plus 2 extra; exceeding this can lead to heavy fines.
5.The permit must be renewed annually by January 1st to avoid late fees.
6.Failure to post the city-issued permit number on your online listing can result in platform removal.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(4)

•Wildwood: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
•Wildwood: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
•Wildwood does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements(16)

•Wildwood STR warning: The 13.625% tax rate includes a 1.85% Tourism Assessment that may not always be auto-collected by smaller platforms.
•Wildwood STR warning: Short-term rentals are defined as anything under 175 days, which is much longer than the standard 30-day definition.
•Wildwood: A laminated list of city rules (trash, alcohol, parking) MUST be posted inside every rental unit.

Application Process(7)

•How to set up an STR in Wildwood: To host an Airbnb in Wildwood, you must register your property with the City Clerk and pay an annual fee of approximately $285 plus a per-room charge. Your property will need to pass an annual safety inspection, and you must post a laminated list of city rules for your guests regarding trash and parking. If your house was built before 1978, you must also provide a lead-safe certificate. Most taxes are collected by the platform, but you are responsible for ensuring all local mercantile requirements are met.

Fees & Costs(1)

•Wildwood charges a registration fee of $285 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $8 (Per sleeping room charge (plus base fee for rental of real property)).

Taxes(3)

•New Jersey has a state sales tax of 6.625% that applies to STR rentals.
•Wildwood charges a Tourism Tax and Assessment / State Occupancy Fee of 13.625%. This applies to stays under 90 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Platforms like Airbnb/VRBO collect and remit the NJ Sales Tax and State Occupancy Fee; owners must verify tourism-specific taxes.

Limits & Restrictions(4)

•Wildwood: Owners living outside Cape May County must designate a local agent who resides within the county.
•Wildwood enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 8:00 AM.
•Wildwood limits stays to a maximum of 174 nights.
•Wildwood occupancy calculation: Defined by Sleeping Room capacity in license application. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Wildwood requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Laminated list of city rules (trash, noise, parking) must be posted in unit, Lead-safe certification required for pre-1978 buildings.

Penalties(4)

•Wildwood: Short-term rentals are defined as anything under 175 days, which is much longer than the standard 30-day definition.
•Wildwood: Both the landlord AND the tenant can be fined if a unit is occupied without a valid license.
•Wildwood: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(2)

•Wildwood: 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.

Wildwood

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(4)

Requirements(16)

Application Process(7)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(3)

Limits & Restrictions(4)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(4)

Exemptions(2)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Wildwood

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 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 Wildwood, NJ?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Wildwood, NJ?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Wildwood, NJ?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Wildwood, NJ?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Wildwood, NJ?

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