Hopatcong, New Jersey Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Executive Overview: Are STRs Allowed in Hopatcong?

Yes—short‑term rentals are permitted in Hopatcong, NJ, subject to a municipal registration/permit process, ongoing compliance reporting, and occupancy rules codified in Borough Code §189‑7. Key requirements include:

A valid STR permit is required before advertising or renting.
For each reservation, you must file a Change of Occupancy Notification at least 24 hours before the start of the rental period.
A primary occupant who is at least 21 years old must execute the rental agreement and occupy the property during the term; guests under 21 are allowed only as companions of an adult (21+) primary occupant.
Violations can result in fines up to $2,000 per violation, per day the violation exists. The Borough’s STR application and related forms are available on its official website; see “Links to Source Pages.”

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Hopatcong?

Hopatcong hosts earn a median $44,701/year with $333 ADR and 57% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $67,330+ per year.

See the full Hopatcong market breakdown

How to Start an STR Business in Hopatcong

Step 1: Review Borough Code and Requirements

Begin with Hopatcong Code §189‑7 (hosting/occupancy standards), which sets the primary 21+ occupant requirement and establishes the framework for occupancy reporting. The Code Book is publicly available via the Borough’s website.

Step 2: Obtain the STR Permit

Download and complete the Short Term Rental Application from the Borough Clerk’s Forms & Applications page.
Submit the application and any required supporting materials/fees to the Borough as instructed on the application page.

Step 3: Prepare for Ongoing Compliance Reporting

For every reservation, you must submit a Short‑term Rental Change of Occupancy Notification at least 24 hours prior to the start of the rental period. This filing must include:
- Identity of each transient occupant (names and ages)
- Dates of the rental period
- Transient contact information
- Vehicle identification (year, make, model, color, plate, and state)
Filings must be submitted electronically to the Department of Municipal Housing Liaison, or via the Borough’s specified electronic format. Failure to file on time is a violation.

Step 4: Operating Practices

Enforce the “primary occupant 21+” rule in your listing, screening, and agreements; require that the signing adult is the actual occupant for the stay.
Maintain consistent occupancy limits and avoid renting to multiple parties simultaneously (i.e., no “double‑booking” scenarios).
Build a process to collect and submit the occupancy notification 24+ hours before each check‑in; automate reminders to reduce human error.

Step 5: Tax Registration and Remittance

New Jersey imposes a 6.625% state sales tax and a 5% hotel occupancy tax on transient accommodations. Obtain any necessary tax certificates and set up collection/remittance processes. If you use a third‑party platform, the platform may collect and remit these taxes on your behalf; confirm your responsibilities with the platform and the NJ Division of Taxation.

Step 6: Annual Renewal and Inspections

Plan for annual registration/inspection per Borough practice. Arrange inspections promptly and keep records of all filings and approvals.

Step 7: Recordkeeping and Audit Readiness

Retain copies of all applications, permits, inspection reports, and each Change of Occupancy Notification (including submission confirmations). This supports compliance and aids in resolving any disputes or inspections.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Documents and Filings

Short Term Rental Application (initial permit)
- Purpose: Register the property as a short‑term rental and obtain authorization to operate.
Short‑term Rental Change of Occupancy Notification (per reservation)
- Purpose: Provide real‑time occupancy information to the Borough.
- Required content (per Borough Code §189‑7 H.):
  - Identity of each transient occupant (names and ages)
  - Dates of the rental period (commencement and expiration)
  - Transient contact information
  - Vehicle identification details
- Submission: At least 24 hours before each rental period begins; electronic submission to the Municipal Housing Liaison (or Borough’s electronic format).

Compliance Guidelines

Age Restriction: No STR rental to anyone younger than 21 years of age. The primary occupant executing the agreement must be 21+ and must be the actual occupant. Guests under 21 may accompany the 21+ primary occupant. Both the owner and the primary occupant are responsible for compliance.
Quiet Hours and Community Standards: Observe local quiet hours and neighborhood rules. Borough Code §189‑7 sets the framework; additionalquiet‑hours details may be specified by ordinance or enforcement practice.
Maximum Occupancy: Rent only to a single party and do not exceed the property’s stated maximum occupancy. (See “Specific Regulations.”)

Tax Registration

State Sales Tax (6.625%) and Hotel Occupancy Tax (5%): Register and collect these taxes on bookings; remit per NJ Division of Taxation guidance or confirm platform remittance arrangements if applicable.

Specific Regulations (Borough, County, and State)

Borough of Hopatcong (Municipal)

Hopatcong Code §189‑7 governs short‑term rentals and sets:
- Age minimum: Primary occupant must be 21+; no renting to anyone under 21.
- Occupancy reporting: File a Change of Occupancy Notification for every new rental period; include names/ages of occupants, rental dates, transient contact info, and vehicle details.
- Submission timing: At least 24 hours before the start of each rental period.
- Penalties: Violations subject to fines up to $2,000 per violation, per day the violation continues.
- Single‑party occupancy: Properties must not be rented to more than one party at a time and must not exceed maximum occupancy limits. (See Borough application materials; occupancy limits may be specified in the application or Code.)
Noise/community rules and inspection standards: The Borough operates a permitting and inspection framework; follow the process outlined in application materials and Code Book. Quiet hours are locally enforced; confirm specifics via Borough ordinances and Code updates.

County (Sussex County)

No county‑specific short‑term rental ordinances are provided in the materials reviewed. Operators should monitor County communications in case of future updates.

State of New Jersey

State sales tax of 6.625% applies to transient accommodations.
Hotel occupancy tax of 5% applies to transient accommodations.
Hosts should obtain the appropriate tax registrations and implement collection/remittance procedures. If a platform acts as the merchant of record, it may collect these taxes on your behalf; otherwise, you must collect and remit directly.

Contact Information for the Local Authority

Borough of Hopatcong

Mailing Address: 111 River Styx Road, Hopatcong, NJ 07843
Phone: 973‑770‑1200
Website: hopatcong.org
STR Application Page: Departments → Borough Clerk/Registrar → Forms & Applications → Short Term Rental Application (see Links)
Department: Department of Municipal Housing Liaison
- Electronic submission of the Change of Occupancy Notification is directed to this department via Borough channels or the online form referenced on the application page.

Note: For questions about tax registrations, consult the NJ Division of Taxation.

Links to Source Pages

Short Term Rental Application page (Hopatcong Borough Clerk/Registrar)
- hopatcong.org/departments/borough_clerk_registrar/forms___applications/short_term_rental_application.php
Hopatcong Code Book (including §189‑7)
- ecode360.com/HO0258?needHash=true
Summer guide summarizing STR regulations and taxes in Hopatcong (third‑party overview; verify details with Borough and NJ tax authorities)
- www.gosummer.com/vacation-rental-management/hopatcong-new-jersey

Practical reminder: Automation is your friend. Set calendar‑based reminders and workflows to ensure every reservation’s Change of Occupancy Notification is submitted at least 24 hours before check‑in, and always require the primary guest to be 21+. If you use a property manager or platform, confirm in writing who files the notifications and who bears responsibility for penalties should filings be missed.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Hopatcong

Hopatcong is a small borough in Sussex County, in the northwestern corner of New Jersey, with a population of approximately 14,000 residents. Set along the shores of Lake Hopatcong, the largest body of freshwater in the state, the community has a laid-back, lake-town character shaped by decades of seasonal tourism. Once a celebrated late-19th-century resort destination visited by vacationers arriving by rail from New York and Newark, it remains best known today as the primary gateway to the lake that shares its name. The borough sits roughly 50 miles northwest of New York City, making it a feasible drive-in escape for weekenders and day-trippers from the metropolitan region.

The obvious anchor attraction is Lake Hopatcong itself, a roughly 2,800-acre lake straddling the Sussex–Morris county line. It supports boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming from a handful of public beaches, and seasonal fishing for largemouth bass, walleye, and muskie. Marinas and public launch ramps ring the shoreline, and the main commercial corridor along Lakeside Boulevard has restaurants, ice-cream stands, and bait shops that fill up in summer. A loop around the lake by car is roughly 25 miles, and most points of interest are within a 10-minute drive of one another.

To the west, roughly 40 minutes by car, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area offers a far more rugged counterpoint to the lake's calm waters. The recreation area follows a long stretch of the Delaware River and the surrounding Kittatinny Ridge, with miles of hiking trails, scenic overlooks, picnic areas, and swimming spots. The Appalachian Trail runs along the ridge top, and visitors can also access the river for tubing, canoeing, and kayaking through small-town outfitters in places like Columbia and Dingmans Ferry.

Closer to home, the borough is within roughly 20 to 30 minutes of Stokes State Forest, a sprawling preserve of more than 15,000 acres along the Kittatinny Mountains. The forest is known for camping, trout fishing in the Big Flatbrook, and the famously steep climb up Sunrise Mountain, a popular destination in autumn for leaf-peeping. In the same general direction, High Point State Park features New Jersey's highest elevation and the iconic High Point Monument, an obelisk that marks the state's northernmost corner.

Taken together, Hopatcong offers short-term-rental owners a base that combines direct lakefront appeal with access to a much larger outdoor-recreation region. Visitors who arrive for the water tend to stay longer once they realize the Delaware Water Gap, Stokes, and High Point are all within an easy drive, and the proximity to New York City keeps occupancy potential strong from spring through fall foliage season.