George J. Wagner and Property Owners Protective Association, a Corporation of New Jersey, Plaintiffs-Appellants, v…

Summary

The Supreme Court of New Jersey reversed the lower courts and held that the City of Newark's rent‑control ordinance is void because the municipality lacks authority to regulate rent and evictions. The Court reasoned that the Home Rule Act and the Optional Municipal Charter Law do not grant such power absent specific legislative authorization, and that the 1956 special act (L. 1956, c.146) preempts any local ordinance not adopted under its framework. Consequently, the ordinance cannot stand.