Stone Harbor rental regulations: license, inspection and access

1. Confirm the current fee for the property type

The Fire Prevention Bureau currently lists combined rental-license and fire-inspection totals of $300 for a single-family property, $400 for a duplex and $500 for a triplex. The components and total vary by property type.

Fees are described as nonrefundable. Verify the live schedule before paying, particularly if the property configuration has changed.

2. Put December 31 on the rental calendar

The Borough says renewal inspection-fee payments must be received by December 31 for the upcoming season or a $50 late fee is due. The late fee does not apply to a new rental registration.

This makes fall—not spring—the right time to verify the invoice, representative and inspection readiness.

3. Prepare for a scheduled January–April inspection

Renewal inspections run from the first week of January through April based on property location. The Borough says dates are set by the Licensing Clerk and cannot be changed.

Service the extinguisher and test safety devices during spring or fall so winter access is limited to the scheduled inspection rather than emergency preparation.

4. Maintain a Cape May County representative and working key

The Fire Prevention Bureau requires a Cape May County representative with a key to access a rental property. When a realtor holds the key, the inspector may pick it up without the owner being present.

Test the key before the inspection and update the Borough when the realtor or courtesy-key arrangement changes.

5. Keep the active rental record accurate

The rental registration identifies the owner, property, managing agent or realtor, and emergency contact. Save the final application, invoice, payment, inspection result and license together.

If the property will no longer be rented, follow the Borough’s written-notice instructions rather than assuming the record closes automatically.

6. Treat inspection items as weekly operating controls

Smoke and carbon-monoxide protection, extinguisher service, clear equipment space, visible address markings and safe grill placement are not merely inspection-day details. Add relevant items to pre-season and turnover checks.