Palisades Park rent control is real, and it covers many apartment buildings in this Bergen County borough. As of September 29, 2026, Borough Code Chapter 235 limits a yearly increase to 4% of your base rent, once every 12 months. That is the rule under Palisades Park rent control, and the borough’s Rent Leveling Board enforces it.
Is Your Unit Covered by Palisades Park Rent Control?
Start here, because coverage decides everything. Palisades Park rent control is set out in Chapter 235 of the Borough Code. However, not every rental falls under it. The biggest exemption covers small houses. One-, two- and three-family homes are exempt, even if the owner does not live there.
Commercial buildings with fewer than three rental apartments are also exempt. As a result, most covered tenants live in apartment buildings or complexes. In most cases, if your building has four or more homes, Palisades Park rent control probably applies. Chapter 235 also requires landlords to register their units. You can ask the Rent Leveling Board whether your building is registered.
| Rule | What it says | Where it comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Small-house exemption | 1-, 2- and 3-family homes are exempt, owner-occupied or not | Borough Code Chapter 235 |
| Commercial building exemption | Commercial buildings with fewer than 3 rental apartments are exempt | Borough Code Chapter 235 |
| Annual increase cap | 4% of base rent, once per 12-month period after the last increase | Chapter 235, Annual Rent Increases |
| Notice before increase | 30 days before the increase takes effect | Chapter 235, Annual Rent Increases |
| Registration | Landlords must register units. Tenants may complain if an unregistered unit gets an increase | Chapter 235, Article IV |
To check a specific address, contact the Rent Leveling Board through the Borough of Palisades Park Rent Leveling Board page. Ask two questions. Is the building covered? Is it registered, and what base rent is on file?
How Much Rent Can Go Up Under Palisades Park Rent Control
As of September 29, 2026, Chapter 235 allows your landlord to raise base rent by 4%. For example, on a $2,000 base rent, the most is $80 a month. Your landlord can raise it only once in each 12-month period after the last increase. Unlike some towns, this 4% is written into the code, not reset each year. Still, confirm with the Board that the ordinance has not been changed.
Your landlord must give you notice 30 days before any increase takes effect. Without that notice, the increase does not take effect under Palisades Park rent control. Also, a landlord can seek extra charges on top of the 4%. However, they must apply to the Board first. A hardship surcharge is possible only if the building’s net operating income is under 40% of its gross rents.
A tax pass-along is also possible, but only if property taxes rose over the prior year. Chapter 235 also covers rent for vacant units in § 235-29. The exact vacancy rule must be confirmed with the Board. New Jersey has no statewide rent cap. As a result, Palisades Park rent control is your main protection against large increases.
Eviction Protections in This City
Palisades Park rent control limits rent, not evictions. Instead, New Jersey’s Anti-Eviction Act protects most tenants statewide. Typically, it means a landlord needs a legal reason, called “good cause,” to remove you. Owner-occupied buildings with two or fewer rentals are generally not covered by that state law. Ask legal aid whether your home counts.
A rent increase that breaks Palisades Park rent control rules may not be a lawful ground to evict you. In most cases, only a court can order you out. Your landlord cannot change the locks or shut off utilities. Relocation help amounts were not listed in the sources we reviewed. Confirm any relocation rights with the Rent Leveling Board or a tenant lawyer.
What to Do If Your Landlord Breaks the Rule
Under Palisades Park rent control, the Rent Leveling Board hears tenant complaints. For example, you can complain if your landlord raises rent on a unit that is not registered. Chapter 235 also lets the Board reduce rent when services drop, like heat or repairs. The Board is at Borough Hall, 275 Broad Ave. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 4:30pm.
Bring your lease and every rent increase notice. Also bring rent receipts, bank records, and photos of any repair problems. Write down dates and what your landlord said. Board meetings are held in the Council Chambers at Borough Hall. Check the Rent Leveling Board page for the next meeting date and any complaint form.
Keep paying the legal amount of rent while your complaint is pending. However, if you face an eviction case, call legal aid first. Palisades Park rent control complaints can take time. Meanwhile, an eviction case moves on its own schedule. A local legal-aid office or tenant attorney can help protect you on both fronts.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Palisades Park rent control apply to my two-family house rental?
No, in most cases. Chapter 235 exempts one-, two- and three-family homes, whether or not the owner lives there. However, New Jersey eviction protections may still apply, so check with legal aid.
How much can my rent go up this year?
As of September 29, 2026, Palisades Park rent control limits increases to 4% of base rent, once every 12 months. Your landlord must give you 30 days’ notice first. Extra surcharges need Board approval.
What if my landlord raised my rent more than 4%?
You may be able to file a complaint with the Rent Leveling Board. Bring your lease, notices, and payment records. The Board can review whether the increase follows Palisades Park rent control rules.
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Sources & How to Verify
The rules on this page are drawn from official government and legal-aid sources. Tenant law changes, so always confirm the exact rule with your state’s statute or a local legal-aid office.
- HUD: hud.gov — federal renter protections and fair housing
- Legal Services Corporation: lsc.gov — find free legal aid in your state
- Cornell Legal Information Institute: law.cornell.edu/wex — plain-English legal definitions
- Your state statute & court self-help portal: search “[your state] landlord tenant act” and “[your state] court self-help eviction” for the exact law and forms
Content last reviewed September 2026. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.
New Jersey Renter Guides
- New Jersey Eviction Process
- New Jersey Tenant Rights
- New Jersey Security Deposit Law
- New Jersey Rent Increase Laws
- New Jersey Repairs and Habitability
- Breaking a Lease in New Jersey
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Informational only — not legal advice. Tenant Rights Info is an independent educational resource, not a law firm, and this page does not provide legal advice. Landlord-tenant law varies by state and city and changes over time, so always verify the exact rule with your state’s statute, your local court’s self-help portal, or a legal-aid office. For urgent situations like an active eviction, contact a local legal-aid office or a licensed tenant attorney in your state right away.