Newark hotels to impose $3 per-day tax to fund city fire services, according to state law

Newark hotels will charge guests a $3 per-day tax to fund the city’s firefighter services under a state law that passed on Nov. 13. The law currently only applies to Newark because it affects municipalities with an international airport. Newark is required to use the hotel surcharge revenue to supplement additional funding for the fire department. According to 2024 and 2025 city documents, Newark fire department received about $90 million in city funding. Michael Giunta, president of Newark Fire Union, said training and gear costs are outpacing budgets. The law is modeled after Atlantic City’s $2 per-day hotel tax that funds its fire department. Funds will be collected by the state and revenue will be sent to Newark on a monthly basis, and are only available if firefighter costs increase year-to-year, according to the law.

From TAPinto Newark.