N.J. Stat. Ann. § 55:13A-1 et seq. § 55:13A-30
Protocols for hotel sanitation
Operative Text
2. a. The Commissioner of Health shall issue protocols for the sanitization of each hotel in the State. These protocols shall include, but not be limited to, directives requiring hotels to: (1) maintain continuous 24 hour, seven day a week coverage of a front desk by at least one employee, and by at least one additional employee per every 200 guest rooms; (2) train a front desk employee to respond to a guests' inquiry related to health and safety, including but not limited to, the location of hospitals in the vicinity of the hotel, emergency telephone numbers, and options for seeking treatment or testing for virus diseases during a public health crisis; (3) ensure that every guest room is cleaned and sanitized and provided with an adequate supply of clean towels, sheets, and pillowcases prior to occupancy by a new guest; (4) ensure that every occupied guest room is cleaned and sanitized every day, and that the room is provided with an adequate supply of clean towels, sheets, and pillowcases and that the towels, sheets, and pillowcases are changed no less frequently than once every day; (5) ensure that all public spaces are cleaned and sanitized at least once every day, and that all guest touch-points are cleaned and sanitized regularly throughout each day; (6) provide their employees with anti-microbial cleaning products certified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency that are approved for use against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), other coronaviruses, influenza viruses, or other viral diseases. These products shall be used when cleaning and sanitizing each guest room, guest touch-point, and public space; and (7) train its employees on the proper use of anti-microbial cleaning products and on proper cleaning protocols that maximize the sanitary condition of each guest room, guest touch-point, and public space. b. The Bureau of Housing Inspection in the Department of Community Affairs shall distribute the guidelines developed by the Department of Health pursuant to subsection a. of this section, and shall inspect each hotel in the State for the purpose of determining the extent to which each hotel complies with the provisions of this act and the regulations promulgated hereunder. L.2020, c.37, s.2.
Under N.J.S.A. 55:13A-1 et seq. § 55:13A-30, New Jersey's Commissioner of Health is directed to issue sanitation protocols that all hotels in the state must follow. These protocols cover staffing requirements at front desks, employee training on health and safety inquiries, and rigorous daily cleaning and sanitizing of guest rooms, public spaces, and high-touch surfaces using EPA-certified antimicrobial products. The Bureau of Housing Inspection within the Department of Community Affairs is responsible for distributing these guidelines and inspecting hotels to assess compliance.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Hotel operators subject to N.J.S.A. 55:13A-1 et seq. § 55:13A-30 generally maintain around-the-clock front desk staffing at the ratios specified in the protocols, ensure guest rooms are thoroughly cleaned and restocked with fresh linens before each new occupancy and again daily during a stay, and supply staff with EPA-certified antimicrobial cleaning products approved for use against COVID-19 and related viruses. Compliant operators also document employee training on proper cleaning procedures and on responding to guest health and safety inquiries. The Bureau of Housing Inspection conducts inspections to evaluate whether hotels are meeting these requirements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Guests staying at New Jersey hotels are entitled to the protections established under N.J.S.A. 55:13A-1 et seq. § 55:13A-30, which include daily room cleaning, fresh linens, sanitized public areas, and a trained front desk employee available around the clock to answer health and safety questions. If a hotel appears to be falling short of these standards, a guest may consider contacting the Bureau of Housing Inspection in the Department of Community Affairs, which is charged with inspecting hotels for compliance. Tenant-rights organizations or consumer protection resources can help guests understand what options may be available when sanitation concerns arise.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 6, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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