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Tenafly adopts 30-day minimum ban on short-term rentals after public hearing
Summary
After a public hearing with multiple residents citing safety, noise and property-value concerns, the Tenafly Borough Council unanimously adopted Ordinance 25-06 to prohibit short-term rentals of less than 30 days; enforcement will involve police and code officials and the ordinance takes effect after publication in February.
Tenafly’s mayor and borough council adopted an ordinance Thursday to prohibit short-term residential rentals shorter than 30 days after residents described recurring parties, overflowing trash and safety concerns in their neighborhoods.
The ordinance, adopted unanimously on second and final reading as ordinance 25-06, will be published on Feb. 9 and — according to the council — becomes effective the day after publication. The council said enforcement will rely on the police department, the building code official, the fire official and other subcode enforcement channels.
At the public hearing homeowners described repeated disturbances linked to nightly and weekend guests. Renata Levy, a Tenafly homeowner, told the council the issues fall into “quality of life, safety and value,” and said trash, late-night arrivals and alarm problems had occurred at a neighboring house listed on short-term rental sites. Richard Fontay, another resident, said cars parked overnight on a narrow cul-de-sac created safety hazards and litter left in place after guests departed. Carla Yuzal, dialing in by video, said the turnover of one-night guests had caused anxiety for her young children and recounted large gatherings and lights and sound equipment that “made for a very uncomfortable situation.”
Councilwoman Dayton, who moved adoption of the ordinance, said the 30-day minimum was intended to reduce truly transient, single-night rentals while preserving options for residents who need temporary housing during renovations or emergencies. Dayton noted the borough could amend the minimum-term provision later if it proved inadequate.
Asked how violations would be handled, officials said residents should call the non-emergency police number for parking or immediate safety problems; other violations may be routed to construction/code enforcement and the health department. The borough will also pursue notifications to listing platforms when addresses are found to be in violation. A resident asked whether mere listing on an advertising platform would be a violation; council members said listing alone would violate the ordinance.
The council did not set additional fines or a new enforcement office during the meeting; members said current local enforcement channels would be used and that residents would receive guidance on how to report violations.
The ordinance text added a new section 10-13 to the borough code, titled “Short Term Rentals of Residential Properties.” The council recorded a unanimous roll-call vote in favor.
The council indicated the ordinance’s practical effect will be monitored and the measure could be amended if short-term rental activity persists despite the 30-day floor.
Votes at a glance: Ordinance 25-06 (Short-term rentals of residential properties) — Adopted on second and final reading; motion by Councilwoman Dayton; second not specified in the record; roll-call vote recorded as unanimous. Ordinance to be published Feb. 9 and effective Feb. 10 (day after publication).
