How the ordinance and lead-safe data on this site is compiled, sourced, and checked.
Each rent-control town page quotes the ordinance's cap language verbatim, in its "Ordinance text" section. Each quote is compared word-for-word against the published code before it's posted — against the current version of the code, not a cached or older copy.
Where the ordinance and the DCA survey disagree — a changed percentage, a different unit threshold, an exemption the other doesn't list — the ordinance governs, and the page says so explicitly, usually in an "open questions" note explaining what differs and why the ordinance was treated as controlling. The DCA survey's own text is still shown, separately labeled as the state's summary, so a reader can see both and judge for themselves.
When the ordinance text itself can't be located (a broken code-hosting link, an unindexed chapter, and so on), the page says so and quotes the DCA survey instead — labeled "Official summary," never "Ordinance text," so a state-survey quote is never mistaken for a verified ordinance quote.
Each town page carries a confidence tag — high, medium, or low — reflecting how directly the cap figure and its key terms could be confirmed against the published code. "Open questions" list specific, unresolved points: a formula with a carve-out that wasn't fully confirmed, a conflict between the ordinance and the DCA survey, or a provision described only generally because the exact text wasn't verified word-for-word. An open question is a flag worth checking further, not filler text.
The "last verified" date on a page is the date its ordinance text and figures were last checked against the published code. It is not a guarantee that nothing has changed since — municipalities amend ordinances on their own schedule, sometimes with little public notice. Always confirm current terms with the municipality's rent leveling board or municipal clerk before relying on a figure.
For the municipalities the DCA survey lists no ordinance for, this site relies on that survey listing rather than independently confirming a negative with every town clerk. Ordinances can be adopted, amended, or repealed at any time — if a municipality's page here lists no local ordinance, confirm directly with the clerk rather than assuming none exists.
Pages are re-checked against the published codes periodically, and whenever a correction is reported (see corrections). There's no fixed public schedule for this — treat each page's "last verified" date as the actual record, not an assumed cadence.
Questions about a specific figure, or think something here is out of date? Email hello@njrentcontrol.com.