Atlantic City, NJ Residential Lease Agreement
Atlantic City · Atlantic County, New Jersey
Atlantic City municipal data verified: June 30, 2026
Page content reviewed: August 19, 2026
Free, no email required. The Word file is a blank you fill in; the print version opens in a new tab and saves as a PDF from your browser's print dialog. Both include Atlantic City's municipal addendum.
What Atlantic City requires before the tenant moves in
Occupancy Permit (Ch. 194).
When it applies. A new occupancy permit is required for each unit prior to a change of tenants, issued only after a Code Enforcement inspection.
Who handles it. Division of Code Enforcement / Landlord-Tenant Affairs
From the ordinance. Landlord must register the change with the Landlord-Tenant Affairs Office and file a copy of the occupancy permit within 30 days of issuance. In multi-unit buildings inspected within the last 6 months, only the unit being rented may need inspection.
What that means for your lease start date
The lease start date in Section 2 of the template is the date the tenant is entitled to occupy the unit. In Atlantic City that date should fall after the certificate or inspection above has been issued, not before it. Schedule the inspection first, then write the start date.
If the certificate slips, the tenant cannot lawfully take occupancy on the day the lease says they can, and you are holding a signed contract you cannot perform. The copy of the lease on this page carries Atlantic City's requirement as a printed addendum so the person signing it can see the same thing.
Official sources
- https://ecode360.com/15210484
- https://www.acnj.gov/Departments/landlord-tenant-affairs
- New Jersey Landlord Registration / Identity Law (N.J.S.A. 46:8-27 to 46:8-37)
Verified 2026-06-30 against the sources above. Ordinances change; confirm with Division of Code Enforcement / Landlord-Tenant Affairs before the tenant moves in.
Required statewide, on top of Atlantic City's rule
Register as a landlord (New Jersey Landlord Registration / Identity Law, N.J.S.A. 46:8-27 to 46:8-37). File within 30 days, or at creation of the first tenancy in a newly constructed/reconstructed building (46:8-28). Give each tenant a copy of the registration certificate at the start of a new tenancy (46:8-29). File an amended certificate within 20 days of any change to the form's information (46:8-28.2).
File with the right office. One-unit or two-unit non-owner-occupied: Municipal clerk of the town where the property is located (or the official the clerk designates). Three or more units: NJ DCA Bureau of Housing Inspection. Owners of tenant-occupied single-family and two-family properties must also file a registration with the DCA Bureau of Housing Inspection (46:8-28.5), with limited exceptions (e.g., certified lead-free or post-1978 owner-occupied two-family, seasonal rental under 6 months).
If you do not register. In an action for possession by a non-compliant landlord, no judgment for possession until registration; the court continues the case up to 90 days, then dismisses (46:8-33). Penalty up to $500 per offense (46:8-35); tenant rights cannot be waived (46:8-36).
Questions
Does Atlantic City require a certificate of occupancy before a new tenant moves in?
Yes. Atlantic City runs a Occupancy Permit (Ch. 194). A new occupancy permit is required for each unit prior to a change of tenants, issued only after a Code Enforcement inspection. Landlord must register the change with the Landlord-Tenant Affairs Office and file a copy of the occupancy permit within 30 days of issuance. In multi-unit buildings inspected within the last 6 months, only the unit being rented may need inspection. Confirm current details with Division of Code Enforcement / Landlord-Tenant Affairs and the official sources on this page.
When can the lease start in Atlantic City?
Set the start date after the certificate or inspection is issued, not before. A new occupancy permit is required for each unit prior to a change of tenants, issued only after a Code Enforcement inspection. If the certificate is late, the tenant cannot lawfully take occupancy on the date written in the lease, which is the problem this page exists to prevent.
Do I still have to register as a landlord in Atlantic City?
Yes. Atlantic City's municipal requirement is on top of, not instead of, New Jersey's statewide Landlord Registration / Identity Law (N.J.S.A. 46:8-27 to 46:8-37). Both apply.
Related
- Landlord registration and certificate of occupancy in Atlantic City
- New Jersey lease agreement template - the statewide version and every other town
- What New Jersey law requires in a lease
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Consult a licensed attorney or real estate professional for advice specific to your situation.