What should Elizabeth hosts know about non-owner-occupied strs (investment properties where?

Non-owner-occupied STRs (investment properties where you don't live) are strictly prohibited.

What should Elizabeth hosts know about stays in rent-controlled apartments are?

Stays in rent-controlled apartments are illegal even if you live there.

What should Elizabeth hosts know about the city requires a 24/7?

The city requires a 24/7 local contact who can respond to issues within hours.

Are there rental limits in Elizabeth?

Parking is limited to one vehicle per every two guests.

Elizabeth, NJ Short-Term Rental Regulations: A Complete Gui…

Baseline Verification

100%

Basic verification complete

Verified: Feb 8, 2026

Summary

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

Restriction Level

⛔

Strict

Score: 91 (lenient)

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

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

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$200

Processing Time

2-4 weeks

Max Fine

$2,000

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Regulation Details

Eligibility(10)

•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).

Requirements(12)

•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 Process(6)

•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 & Costs(1)

•Elizabeth charges a registration fee of $200 (annual).

Taxes(2)

•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 & Restrictions(5)

•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 Requirements(1)

•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.

Penalties(3)

•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).

Exemptions(2)

•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).

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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

Elizabeth

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(10)

Requirements(12)

Application Process(6)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(5)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(3)

Exemptions(2)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Other New Jersey Markets

Asbury Park

Long Beach Township

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Jersey City

Elizabeth

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 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 Elizabeth?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Elizabeth?

3Are there residency requirements for hosts in Elizabeth?

4What are the safety requirements for rentals in Elizabeth?

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Asbury Park

Long Beach Township

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