Toms River ‘Airbnb’ Ordinance Revised for Barrier Island Neighborhoods

The Ortley Beach water tower. (Photo: Daniel Nee)

An ordinance aimed at preventing short-term home rentals such as those booked on the website ‘Airbnb’ was tweaked this week to exclude barrier island neighborhoods from the regulations, which essentially ban short-term rentals. But one mainland resident said that it is not fair to those who live on lagoons on the west side of the bay, which also could be attractive for vacationers.

“The short-term rental ordinance has become a problem for me,” said Edward Correale, who owns a home in the Snug Harbor neighborhood. “The lagoon sections bridge the gap between the two areas.”

The ordinance prohibits short-term rentals of less than 30 days on the mainland, but excepts the barrier island, where a minimum of two days is required.

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The ordinance has faced controversy and delays. Some in the business community believed the law would negatively affect commerce, but residents –mainly those in North Dover and Silverton – praised the ordinance because, they say, vacant homes neighboring their own have become party houses with transients renting for a night or two.

Council members did not comment on whether they would consider expanding the exception to lagoon-front neighborhoods on the mainland.