Protecting Property Rights & Transparency in Ship Bottom

Reliable information, public documents, and community resources regarding Ship Bottom’s short-term rental ordinance proposals, related tax measures, and ongoing council actions — and what they mean for homeowners, visitors, and local businesses.

This site will continue to track and publish any future short-term rental ordinances or amendments.

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SECTION 1: Why This Website Exists

Why We Created ShipBottomSTR.org

Ship Bottom Borough introduced proposed short-term rental ordinances in 2025 with potentially far-reaching effects on homeowners, renters, and the local economy. Much of the information surrounding these proposals was difficult to locate or understand while they were under consideration.

This website exists to serve as a central hub of verified information — offering clear summaries, official documents, financial data, and timely updates. Our goal is to ensure that homeowners and residents have access to accurate, source-based information.

This is an ongoing area of public policy, and this site will continue to track and publish future short-term rental proposals, amendments, and related council actions as they arise.

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SECTION 2: What Was Proposed — and How It Concluded

A Clear Breakdown of the 2025 Proposed Ordinances

n 2025, Ship Bottom Borough introduced a series of proposed short-term rental measures that would have imposed new requirements and restrictions on STR owners. These proposals generated significant interest and public discussion and were ultimately voted down, while related tax measures were considered separately.

• Licensing requirements and renewal steps
• New fees and potential penalties that would have applied to STR owners
• Operational rules and restrictions that were proposed
• Occupancy limits and age requirements that were proposed
• Inspection and compliance procedures that were proposed
• Property and safety standards that were proposed

Our goal is to present the information without interpretation — just the facts.

A full timeline, ordinance text, and meeting records are available on the STR Ordinances page.

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SECTION 3: Concerns Raised During Public Review

Key Issues Identified During Public Discussion

During public review and council meetings, homeowners and residents raised concerns about the proposed ordinances and their potential impacts on the community. These concerns focused on fairness, consistency with neighboring municipalities, and unintended consequences for responsible property owners and local businesses.

Major concerns include:

• Increased costs that would have burdened homeowners
• Rules that would have differed significantly from neighboring LBI towns
• Potential reduction in tourism
• Impacts on local small businesses
• Financial issues appear to have driven the ordinance rather than public safety

Many residents expressed support for reasonable measures that promote safety, fairness, and accountability, while also emphasizing the importance of avoiding overly broad regulations that could negatively affect responsible homeowners or the local economy.

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SECTION 4: Document Repository

Access Verified Public Records

Transparency matters. This site maintains a centralized repository of relevant public records so residents and homeowners can review official documents in one place.

You will find:

• Ordinance text and proposed revisions
• Borough budgets (2021–2025)
• Annual debt statements
• Meeting minutes and agendas
• Public comments and statements
• Financial and operational comparisons to other towns

This repository will be updated as new documents, meeting records, or official materials are released.

Documents are sourced directly from official Borough postings and public records requests.

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SECTION 5: Civic Engagement & Participation

Participating in Local Government

Informed participation is an important part of local government. While no short-term rental ordinances are currently pending, residents and homeowners may wish to remain engaged in future discussions related to housing, taxation, and community policy.

• Monitoring Borough Council agendas and meeting notices
• Attending public council meetings when relevant items are scheduled
• Reviewing official documents and meeting records
• Communicating respectfully with elected officials when appropriate
• Staying informed as new information becomes available

Every action helps ensure that public policy reflects fairness, transparency, and the best interests of the entire community.

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SECTION 6: Stay Informed

Updates on Local STR Policy and Related Issues

This site will continue to publish updates if new short-term rental ordinances, amendments, or related policy proposals are introduced. Visitors may also receive updates when new documents or meeting records are added.

Updates are informational only and provided for public awareness.

Stay Informed

Receive an email update if new short-term rental ordinances, amendments, or official records are published on this site.

Emails are informational only and sent only when relevant updates occur.