Rent Control in Paterson City, NJ

Last updated: January 2026

A practical guide to understanding who is covered, key exemptions, and how to check your building's status.

Want to skip straight to checking your own building? Use the RentCheckMe address checker.

1. Overview of Rent Control in Paterson City

Paterson City, located in Passaic County, New Jersey, has a local rent control ordinance that provides rent stabilization and tenant protection for many residential rental units. The ordinance is administered by the Paterson City Rent Control Board.

This article is a high‑level guide based on public resources and the municipality's rent control ordinance. It is not legal advice. For specific questions about your situation, consult with a qualified attorney or contact the local rent control office.

2. Who Is Covered by Rent Control in Paterson City?

The rent control ordinance in Paterson City applies to specific types of properties based on the number of units and other criteria:

• Minimum units requirement: The ordinance applies to buildings with 2 or more units.

3. Rent Increase Limits

The rent control ordinance in Paterson City limits annual rent increases to 5.0%. 5%, or 3.5% for 65+ year old heads of households or those found to be disabled by the SS Administration.

4. Exemptions and Exceptions

The following properties or situations may be exempt from rent control in Paterson City:

• State and federally subsidized housing, buildings in which only 1 unit is rented, motels, hotels, lesser of 30 years and period of amortization of mortgage for multiple dwellings constructed after 12/23/99, substantially rehabilitated residential structures (for a specified period), units certified as part of the City's neighborhood preservation or rehabilitation program, licensed rooming houses, and developments owned or subsidized by HUD
• HMFA, or regulated by NJ PHDA. Vacancy Decontrol.

5. How to Check Your Building's Status

To determine if your building is covered by rent control in Paterson City, you can:

• Use RentCheckMe: Enter your address in the RentCheckMe address checker to see if your building is likely covered by rent control.
• Contact the Rent Control Board: Reach out to the Paterson City Rent Control Board for information about your specific building.
• Call for assistance: (973) 321-1242 ext- 2285

6. Additional Resources

• Rent Control Ordinance: View the full text of the ordinance
• Rent Control Board Website: https://www.patersonnj.gov/department/board.php?structureid=52
• New Jersey Department of Community Affairs: https://www.nj.gov/dca/

Frequently Asked Questions

Note: This article provides general information about rent control in Paterson City. Rent control laws can be complex and may change over time. For specific questions about your situation, consult with a qualified attorney or contact the local rent control office.