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New Jersey · reviewed September 2026

Seasonal RV site agreements in New Jersey

What New Jersey law says about seasonal and annual RV guests, sub-metered electricity, sales tax and online signatures — and the clauses your agreement should carry because of it. Written for park owners, not lawyers.

Guest or tenant?New Jersey's campground statute covers real property rented to occupants 'for the purpose of camping and the recreation associated therein.' An owner may remove an occupant who violates the rental agreement by notifying them the facility no longer wishes to entertain them and asking them to leave; staying after that is a disorderly persons offense (N.J.S.A.
Metered electricThe NJ Board of Public Utilities has long restricted resale of electricity by property owners to occupants; electric submetering has been allowed only through BPU-approved programs or pilots, and BPU jurisdiction over landlord submetering remains contested.
Sales / lodging taxIndustry tax guidance states that charges for campsites are not subject to New Jersey sales tax, and the Sales Tax Guide's hotel-occupancy provisions cover rooms and transient accommodations rather than campsites.
Signing onlineUniform Electronic Transactions Act (N.J.S.A. 12A:12-1 et seq.)

Short version. Details, citations and sources are below.

Is a seasonal guest a tenant in New Jersey?

New Jersey's campground statute covers real property rented to occupants 'for the purpose of camping and the recreation associated therein.' An owner may remove an occupant who violates the rental agreement by notifying them the facility no longer wishes to entertain them and asking them to leave; staying after that is a disorderly persons offense (N.J.S.A. 5:16-7). The Act does not state a day threshold and does not expressly displace the Anti-Eviction Act, which protects residential tenants but exempts transient/seasonal hotel-type occupancy.

What that means for notices and removal

For non-payment, disturbing others, or law violations, make a reasonable attempt to verbally warn the person to cease and desist, then request departure; police may assist (N.J.S.A. 5:16-7(b)). An evicted occupant may request in writing within 30 days a refund of unused prepaid fees less damages. Because a court could treat a year-round RV resident as a tenant under the Anti-Eviction Act (N.J.S.A. 2A:18-61.1), keep seasonal agreements clearly recreational with the park closed part of the year.

Cite: N.J.S.A. 5:16-1 to 5:16-7

Sub-metering electricity to RV sites in New Jersey

The NJ Board of Public Utilities has long restricted resale of electricity by property owners to occupants; electric submetering has been allowed only through BPU-approved programs or pilots, and BPU jurisdiction over landlord submetering remains contested. Campgrounds are not specifically addressed; confirm with the BPU and your utility before charging seasonal guests by the kWh.

Cite: N.J.S.A. 48:2-1 (BPU jurisdiction); BPU Order Docket EO09080646 (Oct. 28, 2009) re: submetering pilot

Sales and lodging tax on seasonal sites in New Jersey

Industry tax guidance states that charges for campsites are not subject to New Jersey sales tax, and the Sales Tax Guide's hotel-occupancy provisions cover rooms and transient accommodations rather than campsites. Separately stated taxable services or retail sales at the park remain taxable; confirm with the Division of Taxation.

Cite: N.J.S.A. 54:32B-3(d) (hotel occupancy); NJ Division of Taxation Sales Tax Guide (S&U-4)

Signing agreements online in New Jersey

Uniform Electronic Transactions Act. Electronic signatures are valid for seasonal site agreements when the guest agrees to sign electronically, intends to sign, and the record is kept in a form that can be reproduced and shown not to have changed. Seasonal Sites records the signer’s typed name, email, time, IP address and a SHA-256 fingerprint of the exact text signed, and stores the signed PDF.

Cite: N.J.S.A. 12A:12-1 et seq.

Clauses to include in a New Jersey seasonal agreement

These are added on top of the eleven sections in the free template. Adjust the bracketed parts and have a local attorney read the result.

Recreational use, not a residence"The Site is licensed for recreational use only. The Guest maintains a permanent residence elsewhere at the address above, and the Site is not the Guest’s primary residence. Nothing in this agreement creates a residential tenancy." In this state the line between a recreational guest and a residential tenant is what decides which removal process applies, so say it plainly and keep the guest’s home address on file.
Notice periodMatch the notice periods in your termination section to the ones the state uses (30-day notice appears in the rules summarized above) rather than inventing shorter ones; a shorter contractual notice is not enforceable where the statute sets a floor.
Metered electricityBill metered electricity at your actual utility cost and say so in the agreement; where a state or utility tariff speaks to resale, at-cost pass-through is the safe harbor everywhere we looked.
Electronic signature consent"The Guest consents to sign this agreement electronically and to receive invoices, receipts and notices by email at the address above." Keep the signer name, email, date/time, IP address and a fingerprint of the signed text.

Your state association is a good second opinion on all of this: New Jersey Campground Owners & Outdoor Lodging Association (NJCOA).

Get the free seasonal site agreement template

Eleven plain-English sections, Word and PDF, with bracketed fields to fill in. Then paste the New Jersey clauses above into it.

Or skip the paperwork entirely

Seasonal Sites takes this same agreement, fills in each guest’s name, site, rate and dates, emails them a link to sign on their phone, puts the installments on autopay, bills metered electric from your readings, and keeps the signed PDF with the audit record. Renewals for the whole park go out in one click. It works beside whatever reservation system you already use.

Other states

Sources

This page summarizes public sources as of September 2026 for park owners and is not legal or tax advice. Statutes, tariffs and tax rules change; confirm anything you rely on with the agency or an attorney licensed in New Jersey. Found an error? Email hello@seasonalsites.com.