Passaic City Council adopts new rent-stabilization ordinance after months of drafting

The Passaic City Council on Jan. 7 voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance 2474-24, amending Chapter 231 of the City Code to create a citywide rent-stabilization framework.

The ordinance, introduced by the administration and described at the meeting by Business Administrator Fernandez as "an extremely balanced ordinance" intended to protect tenants and address post-pandemic rent pressures, passed by roll call with each councilmember voting yes.

Council President Schaer and Councilman Schwartz both told colleagues they supported the measure. Councilman Schwartz said the ordinance "presents a fairer playing field for tenants and protects them" from abrupt, unreasonable rent increases after building ownership changes. Mayor Rosales and administration attorneys also described the ordinance as the product of extended review and input from councilmembers and outside counsel.

Several residents spoke during the public-comment period in favor of the ordinance. Itamar Roman, who identified himself as a tenant and said he has lived in the city since 2002, described receiving a recent $300 rent increase from a new owner and urged the council to adopt rent protections. Edwin Garcia, an assistant principal at Passaic High School, said he expects the ordinance will help students' families for whom housing instability can affect basic needs.

Council members said the adoption is the first of a multi-step implementation. The council president and administration indicated an additional ordinance incorporating mandatory language discussed during debate will be introduced for first reading at the council's next meeting so the body can consider technical revisions before finalizing implementation.

The ordinance preserves protections for tenants already covered under the 1999 rules while establishing standardized procedures and limits for newly covered units. Administration staff and council members repeatedly emphasized the measure seeks to balance tenants' needs and landlords' rights; several council members praised attorneys and staff who drafted implementing forms and related procedures.

The council adopted the ordinance by roll call. The administration said it will present an amending ordinance for first reading at the next regular meeting to finalize mandatory language, and the council also approved by resolution the initial set of board appointments (handled separately on the agenda) to populate the new rent-leveling board that will hear applications under the ordinance.

The council's vote closes a multi-month drafting process that the mayor and council described as intended to pair new regulatory protections with other city initiatives to expand affordable housing, including accessory dwelling unit policies and redevelopment incentives.

Copies of the ordinance and the city's revised Chapter 231 materials were posted on the City of Passaic website as part of the meeting agenda packet. The council did not specify a date when the ordinance's substantive provisions will take effect; the administration said implementing language and board appointments will be addressed in follow-up actions.