Local landlord and tenant rules in Clifton, New Jersey
Clifton, New Jersey has local rules on rent regulation (Clifton Code ch. 363, §§ 363-3, 363-4, 363-14 (2011)), inspections before a new tenant (Clifton Code §§ 210-2, 210-3) and other landlord obligations (Clifton City Code ch. 378A (Short-Term Rentals), §§ 378A-1 to 378A-3, 378A-8, 378A-9 (Ord. No. 8076-26, adopted February 3, 2026)), on top of New Jersey law.
Local rules in Clifton, New Jersey
Rent regulation
In Clifton the rent of a multiple-dwelling unit may rise once in twelve consecutive months by no more than 3% where the landlord provides heat or air conditioning and 2% where it does not; the Mayor and Council review the percentages every year against the Northeast CPI (less energy). After a vacancy the landlord may set the rent for each new letting, but may not charge more than the rent in effect when the unit was vacated until it certifies that rent under oath to the Clifton Housing Department; later increases follow the chapter.
Source: Clifton Code ch. 363, §§ 363-3, 363-4, 363-14 (2011). Checked on November 11, 2026.
Office: Clifton Rent Leveling Board, (973) 470-5770 (website).
Clifton Dwelling Certificate & Inspection at a change of occupancy
File a dwelling certificate — the unit's location and its new occupants — no more than 60 days before any change of occupancy, and have the unit inspected; for a rental the inspection may happen before or after the move, once the certificate is on file. No new inspection is needed if one was done within six months of the new occupancy. The City then issues a certificate stating the permitted use.
Source: Clifton Code §§ 210-2, 210-3. Checked on November 4, 2026.
Other landlord obligations
Clifton allows a short-term rental — 28 consecutive days or less — only where the owner lives on the property as their principal residence: their own single-family home, or one unit of a two-family or multi-family building where the owner lives in another, or up to two rooms in the owner’s home. Condominiums, townhomes and any home the owner does not live in are excluded. A permit from the Department of Engineering is needed before the home is rented or advertised, with a $500 yearly fee, a certificate of code compliance, an inspection and $500,000 of liability insurance; violations carry fines of up to $2,000 a day. The chapter expires on December 31, 2026, and after that date short-term rentals are not permitted in Clifton.
Source: Clifton City Code ch. 378A (Short-Term Rentals), §§ 378A-1 to 378A-3, 378A-8, 378A-9 (Ord. No. 8076-26, adopted February 3, 2026). Checked on November 12, 2026.
New Jersey rules that apply in Clifton
| Rule | New Jersey |
|---|---|
| How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in New Jersey? | 30 days |
| How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in New Jersey? | 1.5 months of rent |
| Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in New Jersey? | Deposit must sit in an interest-bearing New Jersey account; interest is paid or credited annually. |
| How much notice does a landlord have to give before raising the rent in New Jersey? | 30 days |
| How much notice must a landlord give to end a tenancy in New Jersey? | 30 days |
| How many days does a tenant get to pay late rent in New Jersey? | No general statutory period |
| Is there a grace period for paying rent in New Jersey? | 5 business days (some tenants only) |
| How much can a landlord charge for a rental application fee in New Jersey? | $50 for all application fees together (not one- and two-family houses) |
Every New Jersey rule Seayora publishes.
The homes these rules cover in Clifton
40.4% of the occupied homes in Clifton are rented, about 13,593 households, a share higher than across New Jersey (36.2%).
The median gross rent is $1,711 a month, not measurably different from New Jersey as a whole ($1,720); that is what households report paying, utilities included, not the asking rent for a vacant apartment.
57.6% of renters there pay 30% or more of their income on rent.
84.0% of the homes were built before 1980, and the federal lead-paint disclosure rule covers housing built before 1978.
| Clifton | Passaic County | New Jersey | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that rent | 40.4% (±1.9 points) | 46.9% | 36.2% |
| Median gross rent | $1,711 (±$53) | $1,621 | $1,720 |
| Renters paying 30% or more of income on rent | 57.6% (±5.3 points) | 57.0% | 51.6% |
| Median income of renter households | $53,593 (±$4,294) | $51,907 | $62,674 |
| Homes built before 1980 | 84.0% (±3.6 points) | 77.3% | 62.8% |
| Homes in buildings of five or more units | 17.4% (±1.7 points) | 21.1% | 21.8% |
| Households that moved in since 2020 | 18.3% (±1.6 points) | 19.0% | 21.2% |
All housing figures for Clifton: rent by bedrooms, home values, property taxes, commute.
Source: US Census Bureau, Selected Housing Characteristics (DP04), 2020–2024 ACS 5-year estimates — undefined. This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Rentals and records in Clifton
Rent control office: Clifton Rent Leveling Board, (973) 470-5770 (website).
Questions about Clifton’s local rules
Does Clifton have rent control?
In Clifton the rent of a multiple-dwelling unit may rise once in twelve consecutive months by no more than 3% where the landlord provides heat or air conditioning and 2% where it does not; the Mayor and Council review the percentages every year against the Northeast CPI (less energy). After a vacancy the landlord may set the rent for each new letting, but may not charge more than the rent in effect when the unit was vacated until it certifies that rent under oath to the Clifton Housing Department; later increases follow the chapter. (Clifton Code ch. 363, §§ 363-3, 363-4, 363-14 (2011))
How much can a landlord raise the rent in Clifton?
In Clifton the rent of a multiple-dwelling unit may rise once in twelve consecutive months by no more than 3% where the landlord provides heat or air conditioning and 2% where it does not; the Mayor and Council review the percentages every year against the Northeast CPI (less energy). (Clifton Code ch. 363, §§ 363-3, 363-4, 363-14 (2011))
Does Clifton require an inspection or certificate before a new tenant moves in?
File a dwelling certificate — the unit's location and its new occupants — no more than 60 days before any change of occupancy, and have the unit inspected; for a rental the inspection may happen before or after the move, once the certificate is on file. No new inspection is needed if one was done within six months of the new occupancy. The City then issues a certificate stating the permitted use. (Clifton Code §§ 210-2, 210-3)
What else does Clifton require of landlords?
Clifton allows a short-term rental — 28 consecutive days or less — only where the owner lives on the property as their principal residence: their own single-family home, or one unit of a two-family or multi-family building where the owner lives in another, or up to two rooms in the owner’s home. Condominiums, townhomes and any home the owner does not live in are excluded. A permit from the Department of Engineering is needed before the home is rented or advertised, with a $500 yearly fee, a certificate of code compliance, an inspection and $500,000 of liability insurance; violations carry fines of up to $2,000 a day. The chapter expires on December 31, 2026, and after that date short-term rentals are not permitted in Clifton. (Clifton City Code ch. 378A (Short-Term Rentals), §§ 378A-1 to 378A-3, 378A-8, 378A-9 (Ord. No. 8076-26, adopted February 3, 2026))
This is a summary of the local rules Seayora has read from each place’s own code, not legal advice. Ordinances change and a rule may have exceptions; check the citation and the office named before acting.