East Brunswick, NJ

As an Airbnb host, it’s important for you to understand your local laws. We provide a platform and marketplace, but we don’t provide legal advice. Even so, we want to share some info to help you understand laws and other rules that relate to short-term rentals in East Brunswick, NJ. The information in this article isn’t exhaustive, but it should help you start your research on local laws. If you have questions, contact the Township of East Brunswick Department of Planning and Engineering, or the Township Council directly, or consult a local lawyer.

Short-term rentals (Chapter 182)

Chapter 182 of the East Brunswick Code imposes restrictions on short-term rentals in East Brunswick. This includes prohibiting short-term rentals operated by tenants. Owners can share one unit in any building that they own and in which they live. All short-term rental operators must apply for a permit with the Department of Planning and Engineering.

Short-term rental permits

Provided that a short-term rental is eligible under this ordinance, anyone who hosts short-term stays (fewer than 30 consecutive nights and no more than 180 consecutive nights) in East Brunswick is required to obtain a short-term rental permit from the Department of Planning and Engineering before renting or advertising a short-term rental. A short-term rental permit is non-transferable and is valid for one year from the date of issuance.

Applicants will be required to provide specific information, including:

• the address of the short-term rental;
• the personal contact information of the short-term rental owner, including name, address, email, telephone number;
  • if the owner of record is not a natural person, the names and personal contact information for all partners, officers and/or directors of the owner entity;
• 7 day a week, 24-hour a day contact information for the Short-Term Rental Property Agent, as defined in the ordinance;
• 7 day a week, 24-hour a day contact information for the short-term rental Property Responsible Party, as defined in the ordinance; and
• the number and location of all parking spaces available to the short-term rental, including the number of legal off-street parking spaces and on-street parking spaces directly adjacent to the premises.

Applicants will also be required to specific documentation, including:

• proof of the owner's current ownership of the short-term rental unit;
• proof of principal residence (i.e., a driver’s license or State ID card);
• for any short-term rental located in a condominium, a letter from the Condominium Association confirming that the Association by-laws, master deed, or rules or regulations permit short-term rentals;
• proof of general liability insurance in a minimum amount of $500,000.00;
• written certifications by the short-term rental owner, Short-Term Rental Property Agent and Short-Term Rental Responsible Party that they agree to perform their respective duties, as outlined in the ordinance; and
• sworn acknowledgements by the owner of the short-term rental that the short-term rental is their primary residence and that there have been no prior revocations or suspensions of the owner’s short-term rental permit, among other attestations.

The Township may require additional information from any applicant.

Registration fee

In addition to submitting the permit application, applicants must pay an annual, non-refundable application fee of $250.00. Once a permit has been granted, there is also an annual renewal registration fee of $250.00.

Inspections

The Township may subject short-term rentals to annual inspections for the short-term rental’s compliance with the Township’s fire safety regulations and property maintenance code.

Short-term rental occupants

Each time there is a change of occupancy, the short-term rental owner or Short-Term Rental Property Agent must provide the Township with information regarding the guests who will be occupying the short-term rental, on a form to be made available by the Department of Planning and Engineering. This information will include the occupants’ name, ages, phone number, email address and the dates of their stay.

The primary occupant of a short-term rental cannot be less than twenty-one years of age. The occupant can have guests who are less than twenty-one years of age.

All short-term rental occupants are limited to one vehicle per two occupants.