BARNEGAT – Barnegat officials are considering changes to the township’s short-term rental ordinance that would significantly tighten restrictions on how homes can be rented. The proposed amendment, introduced at the October Township Committee meeting, would extend the minimum rental period from 30 days to 180 days and raise fines for violations.
The proposal will return for a public hearing and second reading on November 6 at 6:30 p.m., giving residents a chance to weigh in before a final vote.
“Party House” Rentals
Mayor Alfonso “Al” Cirulli said the township’s goal is to maintain the integrity of Barnegat’s neighborhoods while addressing growing concerns about transient guests.
“Most people who rent out their homes do it responsibly,” Cirulli said. “But when you’ve got a place advertised to sleep 17 people and charging thousands a weekend, that’s not what Barnegat is about. We’ve had to step in before when a property got out of hand. It’s not fair to the people who live nearby.”
Cirulli noted that complaints arose from one property that frequently hosted large gatherings. “When neighbors start calling saying their street looks like a parking lot every weekend, that tells you there’s a problem,” he said.
Township officials said such cases are not widespread but have prompted concerns that without stronger enforcement, short-term rentals could expand in ways that change the character of established neighborhoods.
Changing The Law
Barnegat’s existing short-term rental law, adopted in 2020, regulates the leasing of residential dwellings in an effort to preserve the peace and stability of local neighborhoods. The ordinance defines a dwelling as any residential building or portion of a building intended for use as a single-family, two-family, or multi-family home. Under the current law, no dwelling or part of a dwelling may be rented for fewer than 30 days.
The law was originally enacted to prevent quiet neighborhoods from transforming into “flophouses,” as the ordinance itself described them, and to protect residents’ quality of life. Lawfully established hotels, motels, rooming houses, boarding houses, and bed-and-breakfast establishments remain exempt from the section of the local law governing short-term rentals.
While the law primarily governs entire homes, a separate section of the ordinance addresses single-room rentals, which will remain unchanged under the proposed amendment. Homeowners may rent a single room in their year-round, owner-occupied homes, provided the dwelling has at least two bedrooms and adequate on-site parking for the tenant’s vehicle. Only one tenant is permitted, and that person must have access to shared household areas such as the kitchen, laundry room, and patio. Renting multiple rooms or to more than one tenant at a time is prohibited.
Property owners must also register the rental with the township, comply with all health and safety codes, maintain sufficient insurance coverage, and obtain a rental certificate of occupancy after inspection.
Under the proposed changes, the township would extend the minimum rental term for dwellings from 30 days to 180 days and increase penalties for violations. Fines would rise from the current range of $100 – $1,000 per day to as much as $2,000 per day, with each day of noncompliance counted as a separate offense.
Cirulli explained the justification in raising the penalties for violating the ordinance. “The fines we have now don’t make much of a dent when people are charging $1,000 a night,” he said. “A $250 fine means nothing to someone earning thousands over a weekend. We’re trying to make sure it’s not worth breaking the rules. Our residents deserve peace and quiet in their neighborhoods.”
Some property owners, however, say short-term rentals can help offset rising costs and bring tourism dollars into the local economy. They argue that responsible management and clear communication with guests can prevent the very problems the township is trying to avoid.
Home Or Motel?
A number of homes in Barnegat have been purchased as seasonal or weekend retreats. The community’s lagoon properties, family-friendly bay beach, and quick access to Long Beach Island offer a quieter, more affordable alternative to oceanfront towns. Still, renting out those houses is less common, as most owners use them for personal getaways rather than short-term income.
That same appeal has led to tension between homeowners seeking to earn extra income and residents who say their neighborhoods have turned into revolving doors of strangers. Some residents have compared the problem to “Animal House,” citing overflowing recycling bins, loud parties, and crowded driveways after long weekends.
One listing offers a three-night Memorial Day weekend stay, from May 22 to May 25, for $3,643. The property, which sleeps eight, includes three bedrooms with two queen beds, three twin beds, and a sofa bed. Its description reads: “Your cozy getaway awaits in Barnegat Township at this brilliant house… walk to a private beach with shallow water that leads to a sand bar. It is also a 15-minute drive to LBI.”
While the three-night stay clearly violates the ordinance’s current 30-day minimum, another nearby property appears to comply. Expanding the search from the holiday weekend to the full month of May 2026 reveals a listing for a “Huge Jersey Shore Vacation Home with Hot Tub,” which offers 17 beds for $15,266 for the month. If the proposed ordinance passes, however, the owner would need to extend the minimum lease term to 180 days to continue renting the home to visitors.
Cirulli emphasized that the township’s intent is not to penalize responsible property owners but to preserve Barnegat’s residential character. “We’re not trying to hurt anyone,” he said. “We just want to make sure Barnegat stays a place where families feel comfortable, where people know their neighbors, not a weekend motel.”
