Rent control in Passaic, NJ
2 rules apply — the local one first, then the county and state rules that bind alongside it.
Verified on 2026-08-18 — 43 days ago.
Ordinance 2494-25, adopted 2 September 2025, cut Passaic's maximum rent increase to 3% once in any twelve-month period, running from the section's effective date to its sixth anniversary. On top of the 3% a landlord may pass through the tenant's pro rata share of a municipal property tax increase, apportioned by the floor area their unit occupies and separately itemised.
The current §231-1 definition was read: a one-family house and an owner-occupied two-family are exempt. A non-owner-occupied two-family is covered; owner-occupied coverage therefore begins at three units.
Two things travel with the 3%. The city's own Rent Leveling page still links only the superseded 6% ordinance, so the figure a landlord or a broker quotes may be a year out of date. And the increase is now gated on paperwork: §231-24 makes an annual tenant registration a precondition to any increase, and §231-25 requires 30 days' written notice itemising the previous base rent, the new rent, every surcharge, the effective date and the legal authority — carrying a certification that the registration is in order and a certification that the unit is in substantial compliance with the city's Property Maintenance Code.
Exemptions
- A one-family house, and an owner-occupied two-family dwelling.
- Motels, hotels, qualifying rooming houses, and specified single condominium or cooperative ownership.
- Any multiple-dwelling housing space or dwelling unit built after 1996, for the amortisation period of the initial mortgage loan or 30 years from completion of construction, whichever is less — and the landlord must give each affected tenant written notice of the exemption, by lease or separate correspondence.
- Any property subject to a payment in lieu of taxes, until the PILOT expires.
- Annual cap
- 3%
- Vacancy decontrol
- No
- Unit counts
- 2+ units
- Owner-occupied exemption
- Yes
In effect since 2025-09-02.
Sources
- City of Passaic Code Chapter 231 — Rent LevelingCurrent codified chapter; §231-1 supplies the coverage definitions and exemptions.
- City of Passaic Ordinance 2494-25 — amending §231-23 to reduce the maximum allowable rental increaseThe signed ordinance, city-hosted and read directly. Adopted on second and final reading 2 September 2025, effective on final passage and publication. It also adds §231-24 (annual tenant registration) and §231-25 (notice), and repeals and replaces §§231-23C and D with the PILOT exemption.
- City of Passaic Ordinance 2476-25 — Rent Stabilization of 2025The superseded February 2025 ordinance, which set the cap at 6%. Still the only one linked from the city's Rent Leveling page.
- NJ DCA — 2026 Rent Control Survey — New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, 2026 Rent Control Survey (spreadsheet, linked from the DCA Landlord-Tenant Information page; last revised 20 May 2026). The department's own caveat: the survey is only as current as the published codes, and the stated percentage may differ from the increase actually permitted.The survey predates Ordinance 2494-25 and records the 6% cap and vacancy decontrol.
- Passaic Rent Leveling Board — Passaic Rent Leveling Board, (973) 833-8610
Verified on 2026-08-01 — 60 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
- NJ Department of Community Affairs — Landlord/Tenant InformationRent control ordinances are published by each municipality, not by the state.