Cal. Civ. Code § 5:10-23.2
Linen, towels, and housekeeping services
Operative Text
(a) The owner or operator of every hotel or dwelling space for which housekeeping services are provided shall: 1. Supply a fresh change of bed linen and towels, all of which shall be in good condition, daily unless the occupant declines; and 2. Provide housekeeping and interior maintenance on a daily basis if a hotel, or weekly basis if a rooming house, but under any circumstances each such unit shall be completely inspected and cleaned where the occupancy thereof is changed. (b) Sanitation of all hotels and motels shall be performed in accordance with P.L. 2020, c. 37 (N.J.S.A. 55:13A-29 et seq.), and any protocols or rules adopted pursuant thereto by the Department of Health. This shall include the following directives required pursuant to P.L. 2020, c. 37 (N.J.S.A. 55:13A-29 et seq.): 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 guest's 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 corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19), other corona viruses, influenza viruses, or other viral diseases. These products shall be used when cleaning and sanitizing each guest room, guest touch-point, and public space; 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 touchpoint, and public space; and 8. Any other directives required by Department of Health rules or protocols adopted pursuant to P.L. 2020, c. 37 (N.J.S.A. 55:13A-29 et seq.). (c) The owner of the hotel or motel or manager acting as the agent of the owner, pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:10-11.2, shall maintain a logbook certifying that the requirements at P.L. 2020, c. 37 and listed at (b) above have been met each day. The logbook shall be maintained on-site and shall be available for review during inspection.
N.J.A.C. § 5:10-23.2 establishes cleanliness and housekeeping standards for hotels, motels, and rooming houses in New Jersey. Hotels must provide fresh linens and towels daily (unless a guest declines), perform daily housekeeping, and fully clean and sanitize every room between occupancies. The rule also incorporates sanitation requirements tied to New Jersey public health law, including staffing minimums at the front desk, employee training on health and safety, use of EPA-certified antimicrobial cleaning products, and daily cleaning of all guest rooms and public spaces. Operators must keep an on-site logbook documenting that these requirements are met each day.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under N.J.A.C. § 5:10-23.2, compliant hotel and rooming-house operators generally maintain documented daily housekeeping routines, ensure fresh linens and towels are available to each guest every day, and perform a thorough cleaning and sanitization of every unit whenever occupancy changes. Hotels and motels also maintain 24/7 front desk coverage at the staffing ratios specified in the rule, stock EPA-certified antimicrobial cleaning products, and train employees on their proper use. The required logbook certifying daily compliance with the P.L. 2020, c. 37 sanitation directives must be kept on-site and made available to inspectors upon request.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.J.A.C. § 5:10-23.2 gives hotel, motel, and rooming-house occupants the right to expect daily fresh linens and towels, regular housekeeping, and a fully cleaned and sanitized room before they move in. If these standards are not being met, occupants can document the conditions and raise the violation with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, which oversees hotel and multiple dwelling inspections under N.J.A.C. § 5:10. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help occupants understand what remedies may be available when these baseline sanitation requirements are not followed.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 3, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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