When a tenant leaves, the landlord may add up to 20% once.
Why, and the exact law
From Elizabeth City Code ch. 5.70, § 5.70.060, read Oct 6, 2026.Show the law
“no landlord shall request or receive any increase in base rent in excess of three percent over the base rent received for the twelve (12) months prior …”
State law applies here too. Where both cover a rental, the stricter city rule usually wins; each rule below says so.
Elizabeth lawDepends on the building
Elizabeth Rent Control and Stabilization
How much can my rent go up?
Max 3% a year.
When a tenant leaves, the landlord may add up to 20% once.
Depends on the year the building was built or the number of units.
Who it covers
Buildings with 3 or more units.
Not buildings less than 30 years old.
Not owner-occupied buildings with 4 units or fewer.
Covers: Dwellings with 3+ units; 3- and 4-unit buildings exempt if owner-occupied; hotels, motels, rooming houses exempt.
Exemptions: Hotels, motels, rooming houses; 1-2 unit buildings; owner-occupied 3-4 unit buildings; temporary decontrol for substantially rehabilitated units and new construction per N.J.S.A. 2A:42-84.2.
In force since
Dec 13, 2022
The law, word for word
“no landlord shall request or receive any increase in base rent in excess of three percent over the base rent received for the twelve (12) months prior …”
Elizabeth City Code ch. 5.70, § 5.70.060 · library.municode.com · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026
No other rule found
New Jersey has no state law that establishes, governs or caps rents; rent control is left to municipal ordinances.
The law, word for word
“The State of New Jersey has no laws that establish, govern or control rents …”