Ocean Grove, New Jersey

Short-term rentals are legal in Ocean Grove but tightly regulated by Neptune Township under Chapter 12 (Property Maintenance), as amended by Ordinance 22-39 in 2022. A Short Term Seasonal Rental is defined as any rental of less than 365 days. Within the historic Camp Grounds, rentals are additionally subject to Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association rules.

Owners must obtain a Short-term Rental Permit and pass a Certificate of Inspection before the initial occupancy of each rental season, renewed annually on the anniversary of issuance. Each new set of tenants during the season requires a change-of-occupant update, costing $100, plus a new inspection. Reported fees are $500.00 for the summer season per structure (plus $250 per additional unit) and $250 for the winter season (plus $125 per additional unit); fees are non-refundable and increase by $50 if filed within five business days of the occupancy or inspection date.

Two rules stand out for investors. A strict 2-night minimum stay applies, so any rental under 2 nights is prohibited, and the owner, or anyone other than the paying renters, may not occupy the unit during a rental period; rooms or sections of an occupied dwelling cannot be rented separately, so only whole-unit, non-owner-occupied rentals are allowed. A 2024 proposed amendment, Ordinance 24-16, debated raising the minimum stay to 3 nights, with pushback from Ocean Grove business interests to keep 2 nights or seek an exemption; the final adopted figure should be confirmed with Code Enforcement.

Neptune Township levies a 3.00% municipal hotel and motel occupancy tax, in addition to New Jersey state sales and occupancy fees. Advertising a rental without a valid permit is a violation subject to fines. There is no annual cap on rental nights, and enforcement is rated moderate.