Pursuant to a new state law, P.L. 2022, c. 92, enacted on August 5, 2022, any business owner within the City of Hackensack or anyone who owns a rental unit or units within the City of Hackensack must now maintain liability insurance for negligent acts and omissions. On March 28, 2023, the Hackensack City Council adopted an Ordinance to implement the terms of this law. A copy of the Ordinance (No. 11-2023) is available using this link
The amount of the required insurance is $500,000 for combined property damage and bodily injury to or death of one or more persons in any one accident or occurrence, except for the owner of a multifamily home that contains four or fewer units, one of which is owner occupied – in that instance, the required amount of insurance is $300,000.
By law, a copy of a current, valid certificate of insurance reflecting proof of coverage in the amounts referenced above must be filed with the Hackensack City Clerk, City Hall, 65 Central Avenue, Hackensack, NJ 07601. The initial registration is due on or before May 27, 2023 and must include the annual registration form and a $50.00 filing fee, made out to the “City of Hackensack.” Renewals will then be due no later than January 31st of each following year. A copy of the annual registration form is available using this link
The City Clerk will provide you with a stamped, filed copy of your registration form upon receipt.
If you start a new business within Hackensack or obtain ownership of a rental unit covered by the law, you must submit the annual registration form, certificate of insurance and filing fee within thirty (30) days, and then by no later than January 31st of each following year.
The state law does not define what constitutes a “business” that is required to file a certificate of insurance with the City. If you have any question as to whether your activities are encompassed within the intent of the law, you should consult with your personal attorney.
Failure to comply with the terms of the state law and associated Ordinance may result in penalties ranging from $500 to $5,000.
Insurance registrations are only valid for a term of one (1) calendar year, and expire on December 31st of the year that the registration was submitted. Applications may be renewed as of December 15th for the next calendar year, and must be received by the City Clerk located at the address below no later than January 31st. For 2023 only, registrations are due no later than May 27, 2023.
City Clerk’s Office
65 Central Avenue, 3rd Floor
Hackensack, NJ 07601
