Overview and Explicit Statement

• Are short-term rentals allowed in Hammonton? Explicitly: There is no citywide prohibition on short-term rentals (STRs) in the Town of Hammonton, and no separate STR-specific ordinance. STRs are treated under the general “Rental Property” regime (Ordinance #005-2007), which requires registration, licensing, and compliance with inspections and occupancy limits for any residential “rental unit” available to persons other than the owner. That said, the town has strict nuisance and occupancy enforcement and a proactive complaint-driven inspection process. If your use involves hotel/motel or guesthouse operations, separate state-level hotel regulations apply and may supersede local licensing in some respects.

Note: Because there is no standalone STR ordinance, the rules for conventional rentals apply. Investors should treat STRs as “rental units,” plan for annual licensing, and be prepared for inspections, occupancy posting, and nuisance controls.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Hammonton

• Confirm zoning eligibility for transient use:
  • Identify the property’s zoning district and allowable uses. Confirm that “lodging,” “tourist home,” or “short-term rental” is an approved principal or conditional use in your district; if not, pursue a use variance before investing. This is a critical first step. Zoning is administered by the Zoning Enforcement Officer (ZEO).
• Design your unit within occupancy, habitability, and life-safety standards:
  • Each dwelling unit may have no more than one kitchen or cooking facility (a key constraint if you were planning multiple small rooms with separate cooking facilities). The maximum number of occupants must be determined and posted (based on standards and floor plan).
• Register and license each rental unit annually:
  • Complete the Town’s rental registration form (one per rental unit) and pay the annual fee. The license is issued by the Town Clerk and must be posted in a conspicuous location in each unit.
• Arrange and pass the mandatory inspection:
  • Properties are inspected at least annually for zoning compliance and applicable codes (Property Maintenance, Uniform Construction, BOCA Maintenance, Housing, Building, and Uniform Fire Safety Act). Unsatisfactory results prohibit registration/licensing and require correction and reinspection before occupancy.
• Maintain ongoing compliance:
  • Post the occupant maximum, provide the registration/license to occupants, maintain the property to code, promptly respond to complaints, and keep taxes and municipal charges current (no more than two quarters in arrears).
• Manage taxes and municipal obligations:
  • STR income is subject to New Jersey gross income tax and may be subject to the New Jersey “Motel/Transient Occupancy Tax” if your arrangement meets the statutory definitions (even for private operators). Consider New Jersey tax nexus and sales/use tax compliance, and consult your CPA for federal tax implications.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Town-level requirements (mandatory for all residential rental units):
  • Registration and annual licensing for each rental unit (form from the Town Clerk).
  • License posted conspicuously inside each unit (or, alternatively, provide each tenant/occupant a copy of the registration form/license).
  • Occupancy posting (maximum number of occupants) in each unit.
  • Floor plan submission showing sleeping rooms; attached to registration.
  • Consent for inspections and access to conduct them (at reasonable times).
  • Registration must be updated within 20 days of any change in required information; ownership changes require new registration.
• Documentation to include in the registration:
  • Owner(s) name and address; if a partnership, all general partners with day/evening contact numbers.
  • Agent designation (if any) for duties under the ordinance.
  • If the owner is outside Hammonton or Atlantic County, designate an Atlantic County resident agent for notices and service of process.
  • Name/address of superintendent, janitor, custodian (if employed).
  • Emergency-contact representative (domiciled in Atlantic County) with authority to make decisions and spend on emergency repairs.
  • Recorded mortgage holder(s).
  • Fuel oil dealer and grade (if applicable).
  • Floor plan with exact number of sleeping rooms (required).
  • Optional: attach a copy of the NJ landlord registration certificate (N.J.S.A. 46:8-28) if it remains accurate; update if changes occur.
• Fees (Town-level):
  • Annual registration: $35/unit for units 1–7 at one location; $30/unit for units 8–25; $25/unit for units 26+.
  • Reinspections: first (no charge), second ($15/unit), third ($30/unit), fourth and subsequent ($50/unit).
  • Late fee surcharge: $30 if any fee is not paid within 30 days of due date.
  • Senior citizen owner who resides in a unit and rents the remaining unit (qualifying under N.J.S.A. 54:4-8.41): no fee.
• Preconditions:
  • Property taxes and water/sewer/other municipal assessments cannot be more than two quarters in arrears. If a written repayment plan is provided, the Town may issue a conditional license revocable for noncompliance.
• Code compliance:
  • Maintain property in accordance with the Uniform Construction Code and BOCA National Property Maintenance Code.
• State-level considerations (outside the town ordinance’s scope):
  • If your operation fits the definition of a hotel/motel/guesthouse or tourist apartment under New Jersey’s Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Act (N.J.S.A. 55:13A-3), state registration and compliance may be required and can differ from the municipal regime. Municipal officials will confirm applicability upon inquiry.

Specific Regulations — Hammonton (City-Level)

• Allowed use and licensing framework:
  • STRs are permitted if the zoning allows lodging/transient use and the unit otherwise complies with the town’s rental registration/licensing, inspection, and occupancy regulations. No STR ban, but no special exemptions either.
• Occupancy limits and posting:
  • Post the maximum number of occupants in each unit. Exceeding the posted limit (or allowing more than the posted number to sleep/overnight for periods exceeding 21 days) is a violation.
• Nuisance and tenant behavior:
  • Owners are not personally responsible for tenant conduct, but must follow a prescribed notice and enforcement procedure when violations occur. The Town issues violations by certified mail to the landlord; the landlord must provide notice to the tenant and certify compliance. A third violation within a rolling period can trigger Municipal Court action or require proof of a commenced eviction action in Landlord/Tenant Court (stay of municipal action pending the eviction). Repeat violations can lead to license revocation.
• Inspections:
  • Annual inspections, plus complaint-driven inspections (within 10 days of a bona fide complaint).
• Revocation/suspension grounds:
  • Convictions under this article, continued renting to tenants convicted under the Noise Ordinance, allowing occupancy beyond posted limits, or maintaining dangerous conditions.
  • A warning period (30 days to cure) precedes revocation proceedings, and a Town Council or appointed Hearing Officer conducts a hearing; the Town Solicitor prosecutes.
• Penalties:
  • Up to $750 for a first offense and up to $1,000 for subsequent violations. Each day a violation continues after the thirtieth day may be a separate offense.
• Certificates of occupancy:
  • Compliance with the annual rental ordinance waives the separate Hammonton Certificate of Occupancy requirement for that year.

Specific Regulations — County and State (New Jersey)

• Atlantic County:
  • The provided sources do not contain county-specific STR regulations. Contact the Atlantic County Division of Planning/Community Development to confirm whether any county overlay permits or public health requirements apply.
• New Jersey:
  • Short-term rentals may trigger state lodging tax obligations (Motel/Transient Occupancy Tax) and state income tax filing. Where a property is operated as a “hotel,” “motel,” “guesthouse,” or “tourist apartment,” New Jersey’s Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Act (N.J.S.A. 55:13A-3) may require state registration and compliance (definitions and thresholds determine applicability). Investors should obtain written guidance from the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Division of Housing and Community Resources, and the New Jersey Division of Taxation.

Contact Information (Hammonton Authority in Charge of STRs)

• Town of Hammonton — Town Clerk (licensing, registration, and records)
  • Website: townofhammonton.org
  • Mailing address: 100 Central Ave, Hammonton, NJ 08037
  • Phone: (609) 567-4300
• Construction Code Official / Housing Inspector (inspections and code compliance)
  • Contact via Town Hall at (609) 567-4300
• Zoning Enforcement Officer (zoning compliance and use authorizations)
  • Contact via Town Hall at (609) 567-4300
• Municipal Court (violations, penalties, and revocation hearings)
  • Contact via Town Hall at (609) 567-4300

Links to Source Pages

• Hammonton Rental Property Ordinance #005-2007 (PDF): townofhammonton.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Rental-Ordinance.pdf
• 2025 Hammonton Housing, Economic & Fiscal Strategy Plan (contextual; PDF): www.townofhammonton.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/2025-HEFSP-Full-Document-Hammonton.pdf

Practical Compliance Checklist for STR Investors

• Zoning and use
  • Confirm zoning allows short-term lodging/transient use; obtain approvals or a variance before acquisition.
• Unit configuration
  • Ensure no more than one kitchen per unit; determine and document sleeping-room count; prepare a floor plan.
• Registration and licensing
  • Register each unit; designate an Atlantic County agent if you’re outside the area; post the license or provide copies to guests.
• Occupancy and postings
  • Post the maximum number of occupants in each unit; train property managers to enforce limits.
• Inspection readiness
  • Schedule the annual inspection; maintain habitability and life-safety features; be prepared for complaint-driven inspections.
• Nuisance management
  • Establish quiet hours, guest rules, and rapid response procedures; notify guests of local ordinances; keep records of compliance steps.
• Financial obligations
  • Pay registration and reinspection fees on time; keep taxes and utilities current (≤ two quarters in arrears).
• State lodging tax and income tax
  • Confirm applicability of NJ lodging tax and income tax; register, collect, and remit as required.
• Enforcement risk management
  • Monitor for violations; after a third violation, be ready to commence eviction proceedings or face municipal action.

Bottom Line

• Hammonton does not ban STRs. They are treated as “rental units,” requiring registration, licensing, posting, and inspections. The town emphasizes nuisance control, occupancy limits, and code compliance, with revocation powers for persistent violations. Success in this market hinges on getting the zoning right, passing inspections, and running a tight compliance operation. If your use qualifies as a hotel or guesthouse under state definitions, verify whether state-level lodging rules apply in addition to or instead of local rental licensing.