LawfulStay
← Back to Database

Ocean Grove

New Jersey · United States
Active
Last updated: 2026-07-26  ·  Last verified: 2026-07-26  ·  Region: US

At a Glance — Ocean Grove Airbnb & STR Rules

RuleDetails
Regulatory StatusPermitted with registration
Permit / License RequiredYes — a Neptune Township Mercantile Registration (business license) is required for all rental activity, along with a Zoning Permit from the Township
Tax Rate11.625% combined state-level: 6.625% NJ Sales Tax + 5% NJ State Hotel & Motel Occupancy Fee on stays under 90 days. No confirmed additional Neptune To
Night / Day CapUnknown — no annual rental-day cap identified in Neptune Township code for Ocean Grove properties.
Minimum StayNeptune Township's April 2024 amended ordinance (Ord. 24-16) increased the minimum stay requirement for STRs; the specific new minimum night threshold
Permit Fee$500 annual STR permit fee (Fire Marshal's Office, Neptune Township). Mercantile registration fee per township fee schedule. Code Enforcement rental c
PenaltiesViolations of Neptune Township mercantile/STR ordinance are subject to enforcement by the Police Department and Code Enforcement. Specific fine amount
Primary Residence RequiredUnknown — Neptune Township's ordinance does not appear to impose a primary-residence/owner-occupancy requirement as of current sourcing, though a resp
Occupancy LimitUnknown — specific per-unit occupancy caps for Ocean Grove STRs not confirmed in available sources; general property maintenance standards apply.
Browse all 23 STR regulations in New Jersey → Browse all 535 STR regulations in United States →

Ocean Grove Airbnb & Vacation Rental Regulation Overview

Ocean Grove Short-Term Rental Regulations Overview

Short-term rental operations in Ocean Grove, New Jersey are permitted under an active regulatory framework as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes — a Neptune Township Mercantile Registration (business license) is required for all rental activity, along with a Zoning Permit from the Township Zoning Officer confirming permitted use, and a Com. The associated permit fees are $500 annual STR permit fee (Fire Marshal's Office, Neptune Township). Mercantile registration fee pe.

Tax Requirements for Airbnb Hosts in Ocean Grove

Short-term rental operators in Ocean Grove should be aware of these tax obligations: 11.625% combined state-level: 6.625% NJ Sales Tax + 5% NJ State Hotel & Motel Occupancy Fee on stays under 90 days. No confirmed additional Neptune Township-specific STR surcharge beyond state requirements.. Yes — hosts must collect and remit New Jersey state sales tax (6.625%) and the NJ State Occupancy Fee (5%) on transient stays under 90 days, as requir.

Hosting Rules and Restrictions in Ocean Grove

Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Ocean Grove include: Primary residence requirement: Unknown — Neptune Township's ordinance does not appear to impose a primary-residence/owner-occupancy requirement as of c. Rental day cap: Unknown — no annual rental-day cap identified in Neptune Township code for Ocean Grove properties.. Occupancy limit: Unknown — specific per-unit occupancy caps for Ocean Grove STRs not confirmed in available sources; general property mai. Minimum stay: Neptune Township's April 2024 amended ordinance (Ord. 24-16) increased the minimum stay requirement for STRs; the specif.

Zoning and Location Requirements in Ocean Grove

Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Ocean Grove: STR use must comply with Neptune Township zoning ordinances; a Zoning Permit is required before a Mercantile Registration is issued. The Zoning Officer must confirm the use is permitted or grandfather. Density rules: Unknown — no confirmed density cap or per-block/per-zone limit on number of STR licenses identified for Ocean Grove specifically.. Insurance: Unknown — not explicitly confirmed in Neptune Township STR ordinance language available; liability i.

Penalties for Non-Compliance in Ocean Grove

Hosts who fail to comply with Ocean Grove's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Violations of Neptune Township mercantile/STR ordinance are subject to enforcement by the Police Department and Code Enforcement. Specific fine amounts not confirmed in available sources. The pending .

Platform Obligations in Ocean Grove

Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Ocean Grove: Platforms (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.) are required by NJ state law to collect and remit the 6.625% Sales Tax and 5% State Occupancy Fee for bookings made through transient space marketplaces. No additional N.

Full Regulatory Details

Regulatory Status
Active
License / Registration
Yes — a Neptune Township Mercantile Registration (business license) is required for all rental activity, along with a Zoning Permit from the Township Zoning Officer confirming permitted use, and a Commercial Rental Application/Certificate from the Code Enforcement Office. The STR permit is processed through the Fire Marshal's Office.
Tax Registration
Yes — hosts must collect and remit New Jersey state sales tax (6.625%) and the NJ State Occupancy Fee (5%) on transient stays under 90 days, as required by P.L. 2018 c.49 and P.L. 2019 c.235. Platforms such as Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit these taxes on behalf of hosts in most cases.
Permit Fee
$500 annual STR permit fee (Fire Marshal's Office, Neptune Township). Mercantile registration fee per township fee schedule. Code Enforcement rental certificate fee applies per application.
Primary Residence Rule
Unknown — Neptune Township's ordinance does not appear to impose a primary-residence/owner-occupancy requirement as of current sourcing, though a responsible local contact requirement has been discussed.
Night / Day Cap
Unknown — no annual rental-day cap identified in Neptune Township code for Ocean Grove properties.
Occupancy Limit
Unknown — specific per-unit occupancy caps for Ocean Grove STRs not confirmed in available sources; general property maintenance standards apply.
Tax Rate
11.625% combined state-level: 6.625% NJ Sales Tax + 5% NJ State Hotel & Motel Occupancy Fee on stays under 90 days. No confirmed additional Neptune Township-specific STR surcharge beyond state requirements.
Zoning Restrictions
STR use must comply with Neptune Township zoning ordinances; a Zoning Permit is required before a Mercantile Registration is issued. The Zoning Officer must confirm the use is permitted or grandfathered. Ocean Grove is a nationally registered historic district within Neptune Township, which may impose additional architectural/zoning constraints.
Minimum Stay
Neptune Township's April 2024 amended ordinance (Ord. 24-16) increased the minimum stay requirement for STRs; the specific new minimum night threshold is not fully detailed in publicly available summaries, but the amendment explicitly increased the minimum stay from the prior code. Verify current minimum directly with Neptune Township Code Enforcement.
Density Rules
Unknown — no confirmed density cap or per-block/per-zone limit on number of STR licenses identified for Ocean Grove specifically.
Insurance Required
Unknown — not explicitly confirmed in Neptune Township STR ordinance language available; liability insurance is commonly required across Monmouth County STR frameworks but not verified as mandatory in Neptune Township code.
Platform Obligations
Platforms (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.) are required by NJ state law to collect and remit the 6.625% Sales Tax and 5% State Occupancy Fee for bookings made through transient space marketplaces. No additional Neptune Township-specific platform obligations confirmed.
Compliance Notes
Ocean Grove is a neighborhood within Neptune Township (not a separate municipality); all STR regulation is set by Neptune Township. The April 8, 2024 Township Committee meeting introduced Ord. 24-16, which amended Chapter 12 (Property Maintenance) to retitle and expand the STR section, increase minimum stays, and add bonding/quality-of-life requirements. Community members at the June 2024 committee meeting argued Ocean Grove should be excluded from stricter STR provisions given its 100+ year short-term vacation rental tradition. A pending NJ State bill (S4453/A5172, introduced June 2026) would require owner or agent presence during stays of 30 days or less statewide; as of July 2026 it remains pending in Senate committee.
Effective Date
Neptune Township STR framework (Chapter 12 Property Maintenance Code) as amended by Ord. 24-16, introduced April 8, 2024 (exact adoption/effective date of final ordinance not confirmed in available sources). State tax obligations effective under P.L. 2018 c.49 and P.L. 2019 c.235.
Key Notes
Ocean Grove is one of New Jersey's most historic shore communities with over 100 years of short-term rental tradition. It operates under Neptune Township's jurisdiction. Hosts must obtain: (1) Zoning Permit, (2) Mercantile Registration, and (3) Commercial Rental Certificate from Code Enforcement — in that sequence. The 2024 ordinance amendment increased minimum stays and added bonding requirements. The NJ DCA issued a 2026 notice reminding municipalities of their authority to allow STR activity in connection with FIFA World Cup and America's 250th Anniversary events.
Penalties
Violations of Neptune Township mercantile/STR ordinance are subject to enforcement by the Police Department and Code Enforcement. Specific fine amounts not confirmed in available sources. The pending NJ State bill S4453 would impose $1,000 civil penalties per violation if enacted.
Additional Context
Ocean Grove was founded in 1869 as a Methodist camp meeting ground and retains a unique historic character. It is a census-designated place (CDP) within Neptune Township, Monmouth County, NJ. The Camp Meeting Association (OGCMA) owns the land under most residential structures via a ground-lease system, which may add private deed/lease restrictions on top of municipal STR rules. Hosts should verify their ground lease terms with the OGCMA before listing. Neptune Township also has an active Rent Leveling Board governing long-term rentals.
Sources
Neptune Township Official Website (neptunetownship.org) — Mercantile & How Do I pages
Neptune Township Committee Packet April 8 2024 (Ord. 24-16 STR amendment)
Neptune Township Committee Minutes June 10 2024
BNBCalc Monmouth County NJ Guide
RedAwning NJ STR Laws 2026
NJ DCA Local Finance Notice 2026-09
Blogfinger.net April 2024 (community letter)
STRProfitMap NJ
shortrentalrules.com (NJ S4453 pending bill, July 2026)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Airbnb legal in Ocean Grove?

Yes, Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Ocean Grove with proper registration and permits. Ocean Grove is a neighborhood within Neptune Township (not a separate municipality); all STR regulation is set by Neptune Township. The April 8, 2024 Township Committee meeting introduced Ord. 24-16,

Do you need a permit for Airbnb in Ocean Grove?

Yes. Ocean Grove requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes — a Neptune Township Mercantile Registration (business license) is required for all rental activity, along with a Zoning Permit from the Township Zoning Officer confirming permitted use, and a Commercial Rental Application/Certificate from the Code Enforcement Office. The STR permit is processed.

What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Ocean Grove?

Short-term rental hosts in Ocean Grove are subject to the following tax obligations: 11.625% combined state-level: 6.625% NJ Sales Tax + 5% NJ State Hotel & Motel Occupancy Fee on stays under 90 days. No confirmed additional Neptune Township-specific STR surcharge beyond state requirements..

What are the penalties for illegal Airbnb hosting in Ocean Grove?

Hosts who operate without proper permits in Ocean Grove may face enforcement. Violations of Neptune Township mercantile/STR ordinance are subject to enforcement by the Police Department and Code Enforcement. Specific fine amounts not confirmed in available sources. The pending NJ State bill S4453 would impose $1,000 civil pena.

What are the key STR compliance requirements in Ocean Grove?

Ocean Grove is one of New Jersey's most historic shore communities with over 100 years of short-term rental tradition. It operates under Neptune Township's jurisdiction. Hosts must obtain: (1) Zoning Permit, (2) Mercantile Registration, and (3) Commercial Rental Certificate from Code Enforcement — in that sequence. The 2024 ordinance amendment increased minimum stays and added bonding requirements

Search 1,026+ STR Jurisdictions

LawfulStay tracks STR regulations across 1,026+ cities & countries on 6 continents, updated daily.

View in Full Database →