The Hoboken mask mandate that was enacted in late December is being lifted. Per a press release and Nixle alert sent out this evening, Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla, the Hoboken Office of Emergency Management (OEM), and the Hoboken Health Department today announced the repeal of OEM’s Executive Order requiring face masks in indoor locations of public accommodation.
The end of the mask requirement will take effect Wednesday, Feb. 9. Hudson County’s positivity rate fell below 5% as of Monday, Feb. 7, which provided the basis for the order’s repeal.
“In recent days, the numbers make it clear that cases are significantly falling in the region, which is welcome news. This data point, combined with Hoboken’s high vaccination rate, robust testing options, and low hospitalizations, make it possible for us to lift our indoor mask requirement. I thank the many residents and businesses who adhered to this safety precaution as we navigated through the Omicron phase of the pandemic,” Mayor Bhalla shared via Nixle alert.
Local Hoboken businesses will continue to have the option to require face masks for entry into their business.
“While Hoboken businesses no longer are required to ask patrons to wear face masks when entering their establishment, some may understandably continue to do so,” added Mayor Bhalla. “I ask residents to respect those businesses, who may choose to take an extra layer of precaution to protect their staff and customers.”
Any mask requirements for schools in Hoboken will continue to be subject to the authority of each individual school or district.
Visitors to municipal facilities will be required to wear face masks, regardless of vaccination status, for the near future.
This news comes on the heels of today’s announcement by Governor Murphy that New Jersey schools will no longer be required to enforce mask policies as of the 2nd week of March.
Rent Control Will Apply to The Jordan in Hoboken, as Lawsuit Dismissed
Rent prices in the Hoboken area have skyrocketed within the past few years, with some neighborhoods charging tenants similar prices to those who live across the Hudson. Such affordability issues have led to a lawsuit surrounding rent control. The parties in this particular suit are The Jordan, a luxury apartment building located at 1200 Clinton Street in Hoboken; the City of Hoboken; and the City's Rent Leveling + Stabilization Board. Read on for details about the outcome of the lawsuit and what this means for tenants of The Jordan in Hoboken, New Jersey.
The Details
Living expenses in New Jersey are 13.9% higher than the national average, according to a report released by GoBankingRates. As many already know, this is no different in Hoboken, where affordability concerns have sparked a legal dispute over rent control between the local government and The Jordan, an apartment building located at 1200 Clinton Street.
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On September 13th, 2023, the Rent Leveling + Stabilization Board in Hoboken decided that The Jordan was subject to rent control. This was because the building did not comply with the City of Hoboken’s Municipal Rent Control Ordinance, which among other things, states that tenants must receive sufficient notice that the property they're living in is exempt from rent control or rent leveling. Specifics regarding this ordinance can be found here.
In January 2024, LPF 1200 Clinton Equity, LLC, the owner of The Jordan, filed a lawsuit against the City and the Board contesting the Board’s decision. An Amended Complaint from the owner then followed in April 2024. The City of Hoboken and the board filed a motion to dismiss that complaint.
The issue was essentially left unresolved until January 14th, 2025, when United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey William J. Martini issued an order to dismiss the case, establishing that the property was, in fact, subject to rent control, as the Judge determined that the landlord failed to provide proper notice of the exemption to its tenants.
According to a statement released by the City of Hoboken, the outcome of the case "represents a milestone victory for Hoboken tenants and reinforces the City’s commitment to preserving housing affordability."
Hoboken residents can be assured that the City "will continue to enforce its rent control ordinance to protect the residents of The Jordan," Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla said in the statement. Mayor Bhalla also shared that the City will "continue to aggressively defend against corporate landlord attempts to gauge rents and displace families in our community."
With this rent control ordinance in place and an outcome such as this, Hoboken residents can be hopeful that the Mile Square City is moving toward greater affordability across the board.
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