Local landlord and tenant rules in Garfield, New Jersey

Garfield, New Jersey has local rules on inspections before a new tenant (Garfield Zoning Officer), on top of New Jersey law.

Local rules in Garfield, New Jersey

Garfield dwelling certificate and inspection at a change of occupancy

File a dwelling certificate with the Zoning Officer — the occupants and the unit, certified by owner and tenant — 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 11 months. The certificate is $60, including the smoke detector certification.

Source: Garfield Zoning Officer. Checked on November 4, 2026.

New Jersey rules that apply in Garfield

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 Garfield

55.3% of the occupied homes in Garfield are rented, about 6,185 households, a share higher than across New Jersey (36.2%).

The median gross rent is $1,688 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.

52.8% of renters there pay 30% or more of their income on rent.

81.4% of the homes were built before 1980, and the federal lead-paint disclosure rule covers housing built before 1978.

2020–2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, with the 90% margin of error for Garfield
	Garfield	Bergen County	New Jersey
Households that rent	55.3% (±3.9 points)	34.7%	36.2%
Median gross rent	$1,688 (±$59)	$1,914	$1,720
Renters paying 30% or more of income on rent	52.8% (±5.9 points)	50.8%	51.6%
Median income of renter households	$65,542 (±$7,853)	$74,953	$62,674
Homes built before 1980	81.4% (±6.0 points)	73.8%	62.8%
Homes in buildings of five or more units	12.5% (±2.7 points)	22.4%	21.8%
Rental vacancy rate	4.3% (±1.8 points)	3.0%	3.5%
Households that moved in since 2020	22.4% (±3.2 points)	19.6%	21.2%

All housing figures for Garfield: 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.

Questions about Garfield’s local rules

Does Garfield require an inspection or certificate before a new tenant moves in?

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.