Council advances ordinance requiring online landlord registration; officials clarify condo applicability

The Atlantic City Council advanced an ordinance that will require landlord‑registration records to be made available online, and city officials clarified during public comment that the change publishes existing registration information rather than creating a new licensing requirement.

Martin Edelstein asked whether the online registry would apply to condominium owners who rent out their units. A city staffer replied that the ordinance would make existing landlord registration information publicly accessible in a searchable database, but that eligibility and licensing requirements for landlords — including whether a condo owner must register as a landlord — remain governed by the licensing department and relevant municipal rules. "This is not something that, someone renting out a condo has to be concerned with," the staffer said in explaining the change would move already‑collected registration records into a publicly viewable format.

Councilmembers advanced the ordinance on first reading. The administration said it would defer to legal and licensing staff for definitive guidance on whether individual condo arrangements require registration, and encouraged residents with specific cases to consult the licensing office.

The ordinance was advanced for further review; no change to licensing policy was adopted at the meeting.