WILDWOOD CREST – The Borough of Wildwood Crest reintroduced Ordinance 1406, Sept. 6, prohibiting a hotel or motel room from being rented to the general public for more than 30 days in any one calendar year and says such rooms shall not be occupied as a residence.

The ordinance amends Ordinance 1062, which was adopted in 2008 and covers permitted uses.

The new ordinance is intended to promote a district that permits hotels, motels, condotels, and multifamily development and promotes the enhancement of facilities for the tourist industry. The ordinance says that if a multifamily residential unit is being rented it shall be for a minimum of one week without daily maid service.

The units also cannot be advertised for commercial use as a hotel/motel room rental to the general public. An annual mercantile license will be required to rent the unit, and the owner will have to pay annual Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority (GWTIDA), state, federal, and other applicable taxes.

Hotel/motel services may be offered to the general public on a daily or weekly basis but no more than 30 cumulative days in a calendar year. Hotel/motel rooms may not be occupied as residences on either a temporary or permanent basis. Such rentals require an on-site staff, maid service and other amenities, such as linen and towel service.

The ordinance requires that all utilities be commonly metered to the hotel/motel and not separately metered to the rooms. The form of ownership as condominiums shall not alter the use of the facilities as a hotel/motel. No owner shall occupy the unit for more than 30 cumulative days in any calendar year. A mercantile license will be required for each unit rented.

Contact the author, Christopher South, at csouth@cmcherald.com or 609-886-8600, ext. 128.