[Adopted 5-1-1968]
[Amended 6-7-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-15]
The Borough of Longport has determined that it is in the interest of the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the Borough and visitors to the Borough to provide for the registration of residential rental units within the Borough. The registration of such units will allow the Borough to carry out the required inspection of such units for the protection of persons and property. Furthermore, the registration of such units will assist in the consistent enforcement of Borough ordinances related to fire safety, zoning and construction code matters. There will also be an enhanced ability for public safety and first responders to efficiently and appropriately respond to emergencies at such residential rental units. The registration of such units is authorized by law and provides an additional mechanism for the Borough to minimize disturbances, damage and public expense from occasionally unruly tenants at such rental properties.
[Amended 6-7-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-15]
All rental properties and rental units contained therein and located within the Borough shall be required to be registered and inspected in accordance with the Borough Code. Long-term rentals (defined as the rental of a property or unit for one year or more) shall require a registration certificate prior to the initial rental period and then annually by the Borough. Short-term rentals (defined as any rental of a property or unit for less than one year) shall require a registration certificate prior to the initial rental period and then for each new period. No property or rental unit shall be rented for a period of less than 14 consecutive days. No rental property or rental unit shall be hereafter occupied unless such property complies with the provisions of this chapter.
[Amended 6-7-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-15; 6-7-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-15; 11-19-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-20]
A. 
At the time of registration as provided for in § 136-2, the owner or agent must furnish the following information to the Building Department in writing:
(1) 
The name and address of the owner of the apartment or dwelling.
(2) 
The name and address of the agent of the owner, if any, who rented said apartment or dwelling, and the occupancy period of rental.
(3) 
The number of persons to occupy the apartment or dwelling as tenants and their names and addresses.
(4) 
The name and address of an adult member of the group to whom the apartment or dwelling was rented, if any, who will be physically present in said apartment during the period of rental.
(5) 
If there is no such adult member, the name and address of an adult person, being either the owner or agent of the owner, who will visit said apartment or dwelling at least twice each and every day during the period of rental and at any time as requested by the Police Department.
B. 
The above information shall be accompanied by a written statement that the adult person named under Subsection A(4) or (5) above will assume responsibility for promptly reporting any violation of the ordinances of the Borough of Longport or any other laws which said adult person knows or has reason to know occurred on the premises to the Police Department.
C. 
The above registration shall be executed under oath by the owner or agent of the owner and shall be accompanied by a registration fee of $100.00 annually.
D. 
The owner or agent of the owner must obtain a certificate of occupancy as set forth in Code § 136-9.
E. 
The owner or agent of the owner shall show a copy of a certificate of insurance showing no less than $500,000 in liability insurance for rental property or no less than $300,000 for a multifamily home of four or fewer units, one of which is owner occupied.
[Amended 6-7-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-15]
Upon receipt of the written registration and fee referred to in § 136-3, the Building Department shall issue to the owner or agent a certificate stating that the apartment or dwelling has been duly registered pursuant to the provisions of this article and may be occupied under the conditions set forth in this article. Said registration certificate shall not authorize the renting of rooms in an apartment or dwelling. A copy of said registration, together with a copy of this article, shall be posted during the period of rental in the apartment or dwelling which has been rented.
[Amended 6-7-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-15]
Any certificate of registration issued by the Building Department pursuant to the provisions of § 136-4 may be suspended or revoked by the Board of Commissioners, after due notice and opportunity to be heard, upon proof that:
A. 
The adult person named under § 136-3A(4), if any, was not physically present on the premises during each day of rental, or the adult person named under § 136-3A(5) did not visit said premises at least twice during each day of rental and at anytime requested by the Police Department; or
B. 
The aforementioned adult person failed to report promptly to the Police Department of the Borough of Longport any violation of the ordinances of the Borough of Longport or other laws which said adult person knew or had reason to know occurred on the premises.
It shall be unlawful for any person to occupy, and for any owner or agent of the owner to permit any person to occupy, any apartment or dwelling which is required to be pursuant to the provisions of this article unless there is a valid outstanding certificate of registration with respect to said apartment.
[Amended 5-4-1983; 6-7-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-15]
Any person, firm, association or corporation who shall violate any of the provisions of this article shall, upon conviction thereof before a proper officer having jurisdiction, be subject to a fine not to exceed $500 or imprisonment not to exceed 90 days, or both such fine and imprisonment. Each day a violation occurs or exists shall constitute a separate violation. Each failure to obtain a new certificate of registration when required shall constitute a separate violation.