Division of Code Enforcement /Housing

Important Information:

Attention Landlords

 Effective April, 1, 2023 by mandate of the State of NJ, pursuant to P.L.2021, c.182, the Township is charged with insuring a valid lead safe certificate is in place along with monitoring and maintain a record of same.

State law requires that, all residential rental applications for units built before 1978. Must have or receive A Lead Safe Certification in order to receive or maintain a Rental Certification of Occupancy.

Our rental application form below has been updated to reflect same. If constructed prior to additional forms will be available bellow under the Related Documents.

Here in Toms River, the initial visual inspection can be performed by a contractor certified by the state of NJ for lead testing or if you’d prefer the township staff can perform the inspection. Click here for the Lead Application

Additional Landlord Information

Effective on all Rental CO Applications January, 1, 2023, by order of state mandate P.L. 2022, C.92 requires all municipalities (Toms River Township) verify, keep and maintain compliance of landlord insurance for each and every rental property. This filing must be submitted to the Clerk’s Office at 33 Washington St. This mandate will directly affect your ability to obtain or maintain a Rental Certificate of Occupancy. To speed your Rental CO application process, please have this completed with the Clerk prior to applying.  Without the completion of this process with the clerk and a Rental CO, your tenants will not be able to occupy the residence. There will be no exceptions.

Consistent with Toms River Township Ordinance 4724- 21

Effective July, 1, 2022, any residential property being sold or transferring title must have applied for and received a clear MCCUO Certificate, or have an exemption letter. 

All documents are available in the Related Documents section for electronic or in-person filing as described. It is strongly suggested you read the Packet-Application completely before submission. If you are unclear or have further questions you can email MCCUO@tomsrivertownship.com or call us at (732) 341-1000 ex 8440.

Ordinance 4724-21

MCCUO Packet Application

MCCUO Transfer of Title Exception Packet


MCCUO flow chart

Municipal Continued Certificate of Use and Occupancy Preliminary Flow Chart

Our Township inspectors continue to practice guidelines provided by the CDC and are wearing proper PPE such as face masks and gloves to protect themselves as well as our residents. Inspectors are utilizing iPads to perform inspections and sending the inspection reports electronically, this minimizes all hand to hand transactions of paperwork which allows us to practice social distancing of 6ft.

Code Enforcement staff 2022

The Division of Code Enforcement/ Housing & Property Maintenance falls under the purview of Craig Ambrosio, Division Manager of Parks, Buildings, and Grounds/Code Enforcement. The Division of Code Enforcement provides inspections throughout the township to ensure compliance with the township codes. Typically, inspectors respond to a complaint for code violations such as properties in an unsafe condition or state of disrepair. These codes consist of township specific codes and compliance with the International Property Maintenance Code.

The division staff is there to protect all residents and business from unsafe and unsightly conditions in order to make Toms River a better place to live.

Resident Complaints

While many people think that problems can be immediately resolved by a visit from one of our officers, there is often a due process that must take place to achieve compliance. Code Enforcement cases can begin in a number of different ways; most commonly a complaint is submitted into the Department by a citizen. When submitting a complaint on the resident complaint portal or any other avenue such as phone, email or regular mail, please keep in mind that you must provide your full name and address. Our office does not accept anonymous complaints. Click here to access the resident complaint portal and create an account to submit a complaint. 

Complaint Process

  • Problem identified (through citizen complaint or officer detection)
  • Notice of Violation is sent to the property owner detailing Township ordinance violation with a time frame to comply
  • After that time has elapsed, a second inspection is conducted on the property to check for compliance ranging from imminent hazard to 30-day compliance depending on the condition and ownership classifications
  • If compliance cannot be achieved through normal channels, the case is assessed on a case by case basis and depends on the nature of the violation and if it poses any immediate danger to persons on the property

Regardless of the type of service for the Respondent(s) in your particular case, please rest assured that your complaint is important and is being handled in an appropriate manner.

Rental Inspections

A large part of this division’s time and efforts are dedicated to year-round and seasonal housing inspections to ensure safe and habitable conditions exist in dwellings that are rented rather than owner-occupied.

Download our Rental Application Packet here. Please read through the entire packet. The 5 page packet includes instructions and information on the rental process, what items must be submitted with the application, a guideline list of some of the items we will check and the rental application. We will not be accepting applications unless they are complete. All items on the application are required to be filled in by the applicant. When submitting the rental paperwork we only need page 4 & 5 from the rental packet. All other pages are for your records.

To submit your application, you may do so 1 of 3 ways:

  • Email to Housing@tomsrivertownship.com . Please allow 24-48 hours for processing. Once processed you will receive a link from SDL Portal to make the online credit card payment.
  • Mail in: Code Enforcement, PO Box 728, Toms River, NJ 08754
  • Drop off to 33 Washington St, Toms River, NJ 08753

Foreclosure/Vacant Property Registration

All properties/buildings where action has been taken by a creditor serving a summons and/or complaint in action to foreclose, shall register with Toms River Township in accordance with Ordinance 4748-22 (Property Registration Program). Secondly in accordance with Ordinance 4748-22, supported by P.L.2021, c.444,  any building or structure that meets the description above that is vacant/abandoned, as described in 473-6. B, shall pay the additional fee as described in the Ordinance and application.

Click here for Foreclosure Registration Application