JACKSON, N.J. – The Jackson Township Council introduced a new ordinance Tuesday that overhauls and strengthens the town’s existing landlord registration and rental unit inspection requirements for all non-owner-occupied residential rental properties.
In addition to new safeguards against illegal rentals, the township will create a Bureau of Rental Housing to enforce the ordinance.
Council President Jennifer Kuhn outlined the key changes of the new ordinance. The new landlord registry ordinance amends Chapter 245 of the Township Code to establish a system mandating annual inspections and updated registration for all qualifying rental properties. The revised ordinance will apply to all residential rental units except for owner-occupied two-unit dwellings.
“We created a the bureau of rental housing inspections and there will be a rental housing coordinator, which will be fully-funded by the landlords,” Council President Kuhn said, adding that the revenue is expected to generate $300,000 annually.
“This will be their sole job,” Kuhn added. “This is all they’re going to do.”
Council Vice President Burnstein said the department will have a daily inspection quota and they will be focused only on rental inspections and violations.
“They won’t be distracted by anything else,” Burnstein said. “Other towns are now calling us asking us how they can adopt a similar ordinance.
Under the new rules, landlords must register their rental properties with the Township’s Bureau of Rental Housing Inspections and obtain a certificate of occupancy annually and with each change of tenancy. Inspections will be scheduled by street name, month by month, beginning in January with streets starting with A and B, continuing through December with streets starting with X, Y, Z, or any numerical designation.
Effective January 1, 2026, the annual fee will increase from $125 to $225.
An annual rental, and fire inspection will also be required for all rental properties. The certificate is non-transferable. The landlord or a representative has to appear in person during these inspetions.
Failure to register will include fines between $500 and $750 for non-compliance. A $250 daily penalty will be applied for all properties where an inspection cannot be performed until such time the inspection is performed.
“This ordinance has been in the making between Council President Kuhn and Council Vice President Burnstein, and I’m proud to have been standing in support of this ordinance,” said Councilman Giuseppe Palmeri. “We all know illegal rentals are a serious issue in Jackson, and this ordinance is meant to hold landlords accountable with steep fines and the possibility of having your certificate of occupancy revoked.”
“It’s a very strong resolution and was written well,” said Councilman Ken Bressi after reviewing the ordinance multiple times.
Palmeri took a shot at some on Facebook who have been criticizing the council on social media.
“It’s easy to post a quick video on social media to criticize us from the sidelines, but it’s much harder to sit down, do the work, collaborate and deliver real solutions. That’s what we’re doing here,” Councilman Palmeri added. “Sometimes that takes time.”
“This is a huge issue we hear about from residents,” said Councilman Nino Borrelli. “My hope is that this ordinance will make headway on cracking down on illegal rentals in town, overcrowding and helping to improve the quality of life for the residents of town.”
Effective January 1, 2026, the annual landlord registration fee will be $225. For the remainder of 2025, a reduced rate of $125 will apply, expiring on December 31. Registration renewals must be submitted between January 1 and January 31 each year, and late submissions will be considered violations.
The ordinance also requires landlords to submit detailed information for each unit, including owner contact details, mortgage holder data, tenant screening status, and floor plans. Additional required documentation includes the deed, lease, property management agreements, security deposit notices, and valid identification.
Landlords must also ensure that all municipal taxes, sewer fees, and assessments are paid before receiving a license. Failure to register or maintain compliance may result in fines ranging from $500 to $1,000, depending on the number of offenses.
An inspection will be required annually, and landlords must allow full in-person inspections. If a property cannot be fully inspected due to obstruction by tenants or guests, the landlord will be fined $250 per day until the inspection is completed.
The ordinance was introduced on Tuesday and is scheduled for a second reading and final vote at the July 22 council meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Jackson Municipal Building, where public comment will be accepted.
