Wildwood Crest Mercantile License: Step-by-Step Guide for Rental Owners

Wildwood Crest requires every rental property to carry a Mercantile License. It's the legal gate between "I own a condo in Wildwood Crest" and "I can take rental bookings." Here's exactly how to get one.

What is the Mercantile License?

It's the Borough of Wildwood Crest's rental license, the legal authorization to rent your property. The number looks like ML-26-1206(the 26 is the license year). It's a good habit to show it on your listings, and many guests look for it.

Who needs one

The Borough says all rental properties must be registered and inspected every year. That covers seasonal and short-term rentals and year-round rentals too. It doesn't matter whether you book through Airbnb, VRBO, a direct-booking site or word of mouth, or whether you rent one week or twenty. If you won't be renting, the form has a box to certify that instead.

How to apply

1. Find the application

The rental application is on the Borough's site at wildwoodcrest.org/rentalapplication.php. Questions about it go to the mercantile office at 609-729-8039.

2. Fill it out

You'll provide:

• Owner names, permanent mailing address, phone and email
• Property address and unit number
• Whether it's a seasonal/short-term or year-round rental
• Number of sleeping rooms (and units, for a multi-unit building)
• A second emergency contact name and phone number
• A floor plan sketch (new applications without one are denied)
• For new applicants or a change of use, a Certificate of Zoning Use Compliance

3. Pay the fee

The Borough code sets the fee at $20 per sleeping room per year, so a 2-bedroom unit is about $40. Fees are due by May 1, with a 10% late fee (at least $25) if unpaid by June 1. The Borough sends you an invoice, and that invoice is the final word. The Borough also won't issue a license while property taxes or sewer charges are unpaid.

4. Inspection

The Fire Prevention office inspects every rental each year (609-729-5152, ext. 135). New Jersey's baseline, which inspectors commonly check, includes:

• Smoke alarms on every level and outside each sleeping area (hardwired, or 10-year sealed battery units)
• Carbon monoxide alarms near the sleeping areas
• A 2A-10B:C fire extinguisher (10 lb or less) mounted within 10 feet of the kitchen, new with a receipt or tagged within the last 12 months
• Bedroom windows and exits that open and aren't blocked
• Visible street address

If you're not sure what your inspector will want, call Fire Prevention ahead of time. If something is missing, you'll need to fix it before you pass.

5. Get your license number

After payment and a passed inspection, the Borough issues your Mercantile License number. Add it to your Airbnb/VRBO listing, your direct-booking page, and any advertising materials. TrueStay auto-displays the license number on your listing page.

Timeline

Timing varies with the season and how busy the office is. Apply early in the spring and call the mercantile office (609-729-8039) to ask about current wait times.

Renewal

Licenses are annual. The license year runs May 1 to April 30, and renewal fees are due by May 1 (a 10% late fee applies if unpaid by June 1). Fire Prevention inspects every rental each year, so schedule yours early.

Under Borough code, a license violation can bring a fine of up to $2,000, and each day can count as a separate offense.

Common inspection failures (and how to avoid them)

• Dead smoke alarms — test every alarm before the inspection
• Out-of-date fire extinguisher — it should be new with a receipt or tagged within the last 12 months
• Missing CO alarm — one near the sleeping areas, mounted properly
• Painted-over smoke detectors — strip and replace
• Blocked egress windows — nothing stacked in front of bedroom windows

Related requirements

• NJ rental taxes — Airbnb and VRBO collect them on their bookings. Direct bookings generally aren't taxed if you offer fewer than 3 units in New Jersey; with 3 or more, register with the NJ Division of Taxation and collect. Details.
• Short-term rental insurance — a liability policy that covers short-term rental use. Standard homeowners policies usually don't.
• HOA / condo association approval — if your property is in a managed building, verify your HOA allows short-term rentals BEFORE applying for the license.