Residents press Bayonne council to tighten short-term rental enforcement after year‑long operation

Several Bayonne residents called on the City Council to strengthen enforcement of the city’s short‑term rental rules, saying the current system—largely based on owner self‑reporting—has allowed problem properties to operate for long stretches.

“Katie Martinez said a property next door to her is operating well beyond the 60 days,” Martinez told the council, adding that there is “no current mechanism to properly track that 60 days” and urging a “cease and desist or a stop order” when rules are violated. Mary Ann Kaminski said the same property has become a recurring nuisance with parties, noise at 1:30 a.m. and 3:30 a.m., blocked driveways and weekly police calls. “We need some teeth put into this ordinance,” she said.

Another resident, David Rivera, said neighbors at 84 West 42nd Street have petitioned the council and asked officials to consider enforcement options beyond what is currently being done. Alex Saturian, a new property owner, said the city’s online short‑term rental application form is unavailable for electronic submission and delivered a paper application with the $1,000 fee, requesting written guidance if the city cannot accept it electronically.

City staff acknowledged the complaints and said the administration is working with the director of zoning and planning. The council president told Martinez the administration is “working on it very diligently” and that the director of zoning and planning will be connected with residents for follow‑up. No formal policy change was adopted at the meeting; several ordinance amendments affecting short‑term rentals were previously discussed and remain a candidate for further council review.

The public comments highlighted recurring enforcement gaps, neighborhood safety concerns and a demand for clearer administrative rules on how applications are processed and violations are tracked. Residents asked the council for both better data‑tracking mechanisms and stronger, enforceable remedies for persistent violations.