STR Ordinances
Notice: Ordinance 2025-9C was voted down at a Special Meeting on December 19, 2025 and did not take effect. This page is preserved for historical reference and summarizes the contents of the proposed ordinance as originally introduced.
Related Ordinance: Following the vote on Ordinance 2025-9C, a separate ordinance addressing the transient accommodation tax (Ordinance 2025-10C) was introduced for consideration at the December 30, 2025 Council meeting, where it was subsequently voted down.
Update: Ordinance 2025-10C was voted down by Borough Council in a 5–1 vote at the December 30, 2025 meeting and was not adopted. As a result, it did not take effect.
Summary notes prepared by the Ship Bottom Taxpayers Association (SBTA), reflecting public discussion and concerns raised during the December 19, 2025 Special Council Meeting.
Additional SBTA summary notes related to Ordinance 2025-10C are available on the Ordinance 2025-10C page.
Short-Term Rental Ordinance Timeline
November 2025 — Ordinance 2025-9C First Presented
Ordinance 2025-9C was first brought to public attention at a Borough Council meeting in November 25, 2025, when the proposed short-term rental ordinance was introduced.
December 19, 2025 — Special Council Meeting Held
The Borough of Ship Bottom held a Special Meeting to consider Ordinance 2025-9C. More than 100 people attended in person. At the Special Meeting, the Mayor and Council voted 3–3 to reject Ordinance 2025-9C, with the Mayor casting the tie-breaking vote. The ordinance was not adopted and did not take effect.
December 19, 2025 — Ordinance 2025-10C Introduced
Immediately following the vote on Ordinance 2025-9C, the Borough introduced Ordinance 2025-10C, a separate ordinance addressing a municipal transient accommodation occupancy tax.
December 30, 2025 — Ordinance 2025-10C Scheduled for Council Vote
The Mayor and Council placed Ordinance 2025-10C on the December 30, 2025 Borough Council meeting agenda for consideration.
December 30, 2025 — Ordinance 2025-10C Voted Down (5–1)
Borough Council voted down Ordinance 2025-10C by a 5–1 vote at the December 30 meeting.
Outcome: Not adopted.
If a revised ordinance is introduced in 2026, it will be added here with the new ordinance number.
Last updated: January 1, 2026
New Jersey State Law Context
New Jersey law establishes when state and local taxes apply to transient accommodations and defines the responsibilities of property owners, operators, and booking platforms with respect to tax collection and remittance. These definitions and requirements are set at the state level and apply uniformly across municipalities.
Under New Jersey law:
- A transient accommodation is generally subject to applicable state and local taxes when it is obtained through a transient space marketplace or qualifies as a professionally managed unit.
- A transient space marketplace is defined as a platform through which both contracting and payment for the accommodation occur.
- Platforms that only advertise listings and do not process payments or execute rental contracts are treated differently under state law for purposes of tax collection and remittance.
- Municipalities may adopt a local transient accommodation occupancy tax, but such ordinances operate within the definitions and limitations established by state law.
This section is provided for informational purposes only and summarizes applicable state guidance at a high level.
The New Jersey Division of Taxation has published guidance explaining how these laws are applied in practice.
👉 View the New Jersey Division of Taxation Technical Bulletin (TB-81R2) (PDF)
For additional guidance, the New Jersey Division of Taxation provides an overview of Taxes Imposed On Charges For The Rental Of Transient Accommodations, which explains how state and local taxes apply and when collection responsibilities are triggered.
A Clear Breakdown of the Proposed STR Rules contained in Ordinance 2025-9C
The Ship Bottom Short-Term Rental (STR) ordinance introduces a number of new rules, requirements, and operational restrictions that affect homeowners, renters, and property managers. This page provides a clear, easy-to-read summary of the proposed changes without commentary or interpretation — just the facts.
Key Requirements and Restrictions
Below is a summary of the major components of the ordinance as proposed by Ship Bottom Borough.
- Licensing & Registration: Owners must apply for an STR license, renew annually, and provide required documentation.
- New Fees & Penalties: Application fees, annual renewal fees, and additional penalties for non-compliance or operating without a license.
- Inspections: Mandatory inspections prior to approval and at renewal. Failure to pass results in delays or denial.
- Occupancy Limits: Restrictions on the number of allowed guests based on square footage, bedrooms, or Borough-defined criteria.
- Age Requirements: Minimum renter age requirements (including the proposed “no renting under age 21” rule).
- Operational Rules: Requirements regarding trash, noise, parking, outdoor spaces, and renter conduct.
- Compliance Procedures: New enforcement mechanisms, including warnings, fines, and potential suspension of STR privileges.
- Property Standards: Safety requirements for smoke detectors, CO detectors, egress, and other life-safety measures.
Important Notes and Clarifications
Many parts of the ordinance include definitions, timelines, and conditions that can be confusing without context. For this reason, we encourage residents to review the official ordinance text directly in addition to this summary.
- This summary is informational only.
- The Borough may update or revise the ordinance prior to a final vote.
- Fees, penalties, or requirements listed here may change during council meetings or re-drafts.
- The most accurate source is always the official ordinance PDF released by Ship Bottom Borough.
Public Concerns Raised During Review
View a summary of concerns raised by residents during the public review of proposed STR ordinances.
→ View public concerns summary
View the Full Ordinance
For residents who want to read the complete proposal, we have provided the official ordinance documents below.
Meeting Recordings (Official)
The Borough recorded council meetings at which proposed short-term rental ordinances were discussed. Official video recordings are available on YouTube.
Links:
- December 19, 2025 – Special Council Meeting
Discussion and vote on proposed STR ordinance (2025-9C)
→ Watch meeting recording - December 30, 2025 – Borough Council Meeting
Discussion and vote on Ordinance 2025-10C
→ Watch meeting recording (Not available yet)