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

Overview: STR Status in Montague, NJ

Short-term rentals are explicitly ALLOWED in Montague, NJ under specific regulations and conditions. The township has established a comprehensive regulatory framework through Ordinance 2023-13, which defines short-term rentals as rental periods of 60 days or fewer and requires mandatory licensing, inspections, and compliance with specific operational requirements.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Montague?

Montague hosts earn a median $31,866/year with $200 ADR and 49% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $39,518+ per year.

See the full Montague market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Montague

Step-by-Step Process

Initial Assessment: Verify your property type qualifies under the ordinance (see property eligibility section below)
Application Submission: Complete the Montague Township Short-Term Rental Application Form with all required documentation
Fee Payment: Submit the initial application fee of $750.00 (comprised of $705 STR fee + $45 Fire Inspection fee)
Property Inspections: Schedule and pass both Fire Inspection and Housing Inspection
Permit Approval: Upon successful inspection completion, receive your one-year STR permit
Platform Registration: Register with an approved hosting platform for tax collection or establish quarterly tax remittance system
Annual Renewal: Renew annually for $350.00 (comprised of $305 STR fee + $45 Fire Inspection fee)

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Primary Documents Required

Application Package:

Completed Short-Term Rental Application Form
Copy of driver's license or state ID of Dwelling Unit Owner
Property Agent contact information (24/7 availability required)
Sworn acknowledgment of Ordinance 2023-13 compliance
Parking space location documentation
Platform listing information
Association approval letters (if applicable)

R-4 Zone Specific:

Proof of approval from High Point Community Corps

Required Permits and Licenses

Primary Permit:

Short-Term Rental Permit: $750.00 initial, $350.00 annual renewal
Valid for one year from date of issuance
Must be renewed on the anniversary of initial approval

Inspection Requirements:

Fire Inspection: $45.00 (included in application fee)
Housing Inspection: Required annually
Re-inspection Fee: $50.00 for any additional inspections
No conditional licenses issued - property must pass both inspections

Safety and Compliance Documentation

Fire Safety Requirements:

Smoke detectors on every level (UL listed with test buttons)
Carbon monoxide detectors (if fuel-burning appliances or attached garage present)
Fire extinguisher (minimum 2A-10B:C rating, serviced within 12 months)
Proper placement compliance per NFPA standards

Pool Requirements (if applicable):

Valid bonding and grounding certificate
Electrical certificate of compliance per N.J.S.A. 52:27D-133.2
"Steps for Safety Around the Pool" brochure provision

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Property Eligibility Requirements

Allowed Property Types:

Single-family residences (individually or collectively owned)
Up to two separate units within two-family residential dwelling (with all owner and long-term occupant agreements)
Guest houses, carriage houses, and qualifying structures on owner-occupied dwelling properties

Prohibited Properties:

Boarding or rooming houses
Dormitories, foster homes, adult family care homes
Assisted living facilities
Nursing homes
Community residences for developmentally disabled persons
Community shelters for victims of domestic violence
Any unit in multi-family residential complexes (except R-4 zone with specific conditions)

Operational Restrictions

Guest Limits:

Maximum guests: Lesser of (1) two guests per bedroom plus two additional guests, or (2) ten total guests
Prohibited Use: Parties or social gatherings of 10 or more persons

Parking Requirements:

Minimum one legal off-street parking space per STR unit
Additional space required for every three guests beyond initial guest
Shared driveway/private road usage requires consent from all served property owners

Management Requirements:

Owner or designated Property Agent must be available 24/7 during rental periods
Site visit required at initiation and completion of each rental (or weekly for multi-week rentals)
Post specific information prominently within the unit

Required Guest Information Posting

Owner's name and phone number (or principal contact for entities)
Property Agent contact information (if applicable)
Ingress/egress procedures and parking information
On-street parking regulations
Property boundary survey/map
Trash and recycling pickup schedules and rules

Special Zone Provisions - R-4 Zone

Limited Availability:

Maximum 5 STR units permitted in R-4 zone
Permits awarded to first five qualifying applications

Multi-Family Complex Allowance:

STRs permitted in multi-family complexes with:
- Two or fewer total owners
- All owners' consent
- Total R-4 zone units not exceeding five

Tax Obligations

Room Occupancy Tax:

3% tax imposed on STR rent subject to New Jersey State Sales Tax
Platform Collection Required: Must use approved hosting platform for tax collection and remittance
Self-Collection Option: If not using approved platform, host must remit taxes quarterly directly to township

Contact Information for Local Authority

Primary Contact

Montague Township Housing Department

Mailing Address: Township of Montague, 277 Clove Road, Montague, NJ 07827
Phone: (973) 293-3100
Department: Housing Official (reviews and issues STR permits)

Fire Prevention Bureau

Montague Township Fire Prevention Bureau

Address: 277 Clove Road, Montague, NJ 07827
Office: (973) 293-3366
Fax: (973) 293-8258
Email: mkansky@montagjue.org
Fire Marshal: Matthew Kansky

Additional Contacts

Township Clerk & Registrar

Handles permit applications and renewals
Phone: (973) 293-3100
Location: Township Hall, 277 Clove Road, Montague, NJ 07827

High Point Community Corps (R-4 Zone Requirement)

Required approval for R-4 zone STR applications

Municipal Website

Primary Website: www.montaguenj.org Housing Department: Available through main website departments section Ordinances: Available through government & boards section

Source Pages

Montague Township STR Application Packet and Ordinance 2023-13: webgen1files1.revize.com/montaguetwpnj/Document_Center/Department/Housing%20Department/TOWNSHIP%20OF%20MONTAGUE%20STR%20packet.pdf
Montague Township Ordinances Page: www.montaguenj.org/government___boards/ordinances.php
Montague Township Departments Page: www.montaguenj.org/departments___services/index.php

Important Notes for Investors:

All applications are reviewed with 30-day processing time (extensions may be required)
No conditional licenses are issued - properties must pass all inspections
Annual renewal is due on the exact anniversary of initial approval
Properties must be in full compliance with property maintenance codes
Outstanding tax payments or municipal fees will prohibit STR operation
Regular inspections ensure ongoing compliance with fire safety and housing standards

This regulatory framework provides a clear pathway for STR investment in Montague while ensuring neighborhood protection and public safety standards are maintained.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Montague

Montague is a rural township in Sussex County, in the far northwestern corner of New Jersey, where the state meets both Pennsylvania and New York along the Delaware River. With a population of roughly 3,800, it is one of the most sparsely populated and heavily forested municipalities in the state, a quiet corner defined by river valleys, ridgelines of the Kittatinny Mountains, and small clusters of homes rather than any real downtown. Travelers know it primarily as a gateway to the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, the Pocono Mountains just across the river in Pennsylvania, and the broader Skylands region of northwest New Jersey. The nearest major city is New York City, approximately 80 miles to the southeast, a drive of roughly 90 minutes to two hours depending on traffic, while northern New Jersey suburbs like Sparta and Newton are about 30 to 45 minutes to the east.

The biggest draw in the area is the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, a long, narrow preserve that follows the river for about 40 miles and straddles the New Jersey–Pennsylvania border. From Montague, the northern end of the recreation area is essentially in the township, with the river, its cliffs, and its small rapids accessible within minutes. The recreation area is known for canoeing and kayaking on the Delaware, scenic drives along Old Mine Road, hiking into the surrounding forests, and the river towns of the gap further south.

A short drive southeast brings visitors to High Point State Park, home to High Point Monument, which stands at the highest elevation in New Jersey at about 1,803 feet. Roughly 30 to 40 minutes from Montague, the park offers panoramic views into three states, a lake for fishing and swimming, picnic grounds, and access to the Appalachian Trail, which crosses the monument and continues north into the Kittatinny ridge.

Just across the Delaware River, the small town of Milford, Pennsylvania, sits about 15 minutes west of Montague and offers a walkable historic main street, antique shops, inns, and restaurants that draw day-trippers from both sides of the river. Closer to home, the river itself is the township's everyday attraction: anglers come for smallmouth bass and trout, and outfitters run canoe and kayak trips during the warmer months, while the surrounding back roads attract cyclists, leaf-peepers in autumn, and visitors heading deeper into the Poconos.

For short-term-rental owners, Montague's appeal is its combination of remoteness and proximity. It offers a genuinely quiet, nature-focused setting within easy reach of the New York metro area and close to several marquee outdoor destinations, making it a natural fit for guests seeking river trips, hiking getaways, fall foliage, and ski weekends in the Poconos, all while remaining comfortably within a weekend-trip radius of millions of potential visitors.