Paterson Landlord-Tenant Rules

Paterson adds local rules on top of New Jersey landlord-tenant law. Here is what is different, with the city code or agency page behind each rule.

Rent control (rent leveling)	Paterson has a Rent Leveling Ordinance enforced by the City's Office of Rent Leveling. The office handles tenant complaints about illegal rent increases and about cuts in maintenance, mediates landlord-tenant disputes, and refers people to rental and legal help. Property owners must file an annual Property Registration Form (no fee). New construction is exempt only if the owner asks for an exemption in writing 30 days before the Certificate of Occupancy is issued. Contact the Rent Leveling Administrator, (973) 321-1242 ext. 2285, 125 Ellison St, 1st Floor. The Rent Leveling Board meets bi-monthly. Source: Paterson Municipal Code Ch. 381-4 (Rent Leveling Ordinance)
Housing inspections & legal dwelling space	For housing inspections, rental licenses, permits and certificates of occupancy, Paterson's Rent Leveling office refers residents to Community Improvements at (973) 321-1232. For questions about whether a dwelling space is legal, it refers residents to Zoning Inspection at (973) 321-1343. Source: Official source

Rent control (rent leveling)

Paterson has a Rent Leveling Ordinance enforced by the City's Office of Rent Leveling. The office handles tenant complaints about illegal rent increases and about cuts in maintenance, mediates landlord-tenant disputes, and refers people to rental and legal help. Property owners must file an annual Property Registration Form (no fee). New construction is exempt only if the owner asks for an exemption in writing 30 days before the Certificate of Occupancy is issued.

Contact the Rent Leveling Administrator, (973) 321-1242 ext. 2285, 125 Ellison St, 1st Floor. The Rent Leveling Board meets bi-monthly.

Source: Paterson Municipal Code Ch. 381-4 (Rent Leveling Ordinance)

Housing inspections & legal dwelling space

For housing inspections, rental licenses, permits and certificates of occupancy, Paterson's Rent Leveling office refers residents to Community Improvements at (973) 321-1232. For questions about whether a dwelling space is legal, it refers residents to Zoning Inspection at (973) 321-1343.

Source: Official source

Eviction cases in Paterson are heard in: Superior Court of New Jersey, Special Civil Part (Landlord/Tenant), Passaic County - New Courthouse, 77 Hamilton Street, Floor 1, Paterson, NJ 07505 (973-653-2910 ext. 24260)

Right to a lawyer in eviction cases

No guaranteed right. The City refers tenants to Northeast New Jersey Legal Services, (973) 523-2900. Official source

Local agencies

Paterson Office of Rent Leveling — Enforces the Rent Leveling Ordinance; takes illegal-increase and maintenance-decrease complaints; mediates disputes. 125 Ellison St, 1st Floor. (973) 321-1242 ext. 2285.
Paterson Community Improvements — Inspections, licenses, permits and certificates of occupancy. (973) 321-1232.
Northeast New Jersey Legal Services — Free legal help (referral listed by the City). (973) 523-2900.
Passaic County Judiciary Ombudsman — Court information and help. (973) 653-2910 ext. 24034.

Frequently asked questions

What landlord-tenant rules does Paterson add on top of New Jersey law?

Rent control (rent leveling): Paterson has a Rent Leveling Ordinance enforced by the City's Office of Rent Leveling. The office handles tenant complaints about illegal rent increases and about cuts in maintenance, mediates landlord-tenant disputes, and refers people to rental and legal help. Property owners must file an annual Property Registration Form (no fee). New construction is exempt only if the owner asks for an exemption in writing 30 days before the Certificate of Occupancy is issued.; Housing inspections & legal dwelling space: For housing inspections, rental licenses, permits and certificates of occupancy, Paterson's Rent Leveling office refers residents to Community Improvements at (973) 321-1232. For questions about whether a dwelling space is legal, it refers residents to Zoning Inspection at (973) 321-1343.

← All New Jersey landlord-tenant rules

Last verified against official sources: October 28, 2026.

How we source this page: each state-specific rule links to the statute, court rule or official government page it comes from. A rule taken from a public copy of a state code (used only where the official code is not freely readable online) is marked as a secondary source. Spot an error? Use the contact page to report it. About our sources

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.