Rent control in Newark, NJ

2 rules apply — the local one first, then the county and state rules that bind alongside it.

Rent increases capped at the lesser of CPI or 4%
Newarkhigh confidence

Verified on 2026-08-01 — 15 days ago.

Newark Municipal Code §19:2 caps annual rent increases at the lesser of the CPI increase or 4%. 4% is a hard ceiling, not the cap itself.

Sources conflict on whether an owner-occupied four-or-fewer-unit exemption exists — confirm with the Division of Rent Control, 973-733-3675, before underwriting an exemption.

Exemptions

  • New construction — §19:2-18.1, up to 30 years from completion. Must be perfected by application to the Rent Control Board.
  • Substantial rehabilitation — §19:2-18.3, where rehab cost exceeds 50% of fair market value and a new certificate of occupancy issues, applied for within two years of the first permit. Also must be perfected by application.
Annual cap
4%
Vacancy decontrol
No
Unit counts
1+ units
Owner-occupied exemption
Contested — confirm with the municipality

Sources

  • Newark Municipal Code §19:2 — Rent ControlOrdinance text read directly; secondary landlord-data sites quote this cap wrongly.
  • Newark Division of Rent Control — Newark Division of Rent Control, 973-733-3675 — for the contested owner-occupied exemption
Rent control is municipal, and roughly 100 towns have it
New Jerseymedium confidence

Verified on 2026-08-01 — 15 days ago.

New Jersey has no statewide rent control. Roughly 100 municipalities impose their own, with caps, exemptions and vacancy rules that differ town by town.

This municipality has not been researched. Read the municipal code — or call the clerk — before assuming rents can be reset on purchase or turnover.

Sources

Every rule for Newark, NJ