Atlantic City Hotels With Fewer than 100 Rooms Must Implement Security Measures

Posted on: November 24, 2025, 12:26h. 

Last updated on: November 24, 2025, 12:52h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.
  • The Atlantic City Council is ordering smaller hotels and motels to implement security cameras
  • The government directive is designed to thwart illicit activity at the lodging facilities

Atlantic City casinos are thriving, with gaming revenue and visitation rebounding to and beyond prepandemic levels. While the nine resorts continue to update their properties and invest many millions of dollars into improving the New Jersey seaside destination, parts of the surrounding community haven’t kept pace.

Atlantic City hotel room review
A guest review of the Sunset Inn in Atlantic City included this photo with Borgata pictured across Absecon Boulevard. The Atlantic City government has ordered its smaller hotels and motels to improve security measures. (Image: Tripadvisor)

Last week, the Atlantic City Council unanimously passed an ordinance designed to make the East Coast casino capital safer by improving security measures at neighboring hotels and motels. Ordinance No. 91 implements new rules governing short-term lodging facilities.

The revised regulations begin with an initial inspection of all hotels and motels with fewer than 100 rooms by the city’s Division of Code Enforcement. The annual inspections will give proprietors 30 days to address any violations, with follow-up inspections scheduled for within 15 days.

The ordinance also requires all such lodging facilities to install and maintain “a functional security camera system that continuously records all common areas and exterior parts of the property.”

Atlantic City Safety and Security 

The areas directly adjacent to the Atlantic City Boardwalk and Marina District are considered generally safe, with common-sense precautions. However, points further inland, away from the tourism corridors, are more prone to crime.

Atlantic City’s smaller hotels and motels have long been favored by budget travelers. The town has 26 lodging facilities with fewer than 100 rooms. Those motels and hotels have been magnets for crime, including prostitution and drug deals, city leaders say.

Ordinance No. 91 is designed to make such hotels and motels less attractive for illicit activities and improve conditions for hotel guests.

The ordinance stipulates that hotels and motels are required to ensure that their security camera systems are properly maintained, with malfunctions and repairs completed within 72 hours of discovery. The security cameras must have a frame rate of at least 15 frames per second and be strategically positioned to “ensure comprehensive coverage of the designated areas while minimizing blind spots.” Lodging facilities are also encouraged to provide the Atlantic City Police Department with the ability to remotely view the camera feeds, both live and in a historical context.

Ordinance No. 91 also requires hotels and motels to keep a daily ledger of all overnight guests. Each registrant parking at the hotel must provide the make, model, and license plate of their vehicle. Hotels must also limit guests to a maximum stay of 90 days.

Finally, all hotels and motels with fewer than 100 rooms are to display “No Trespassing” signs warning that only overnight guests are permitted on the property.

Atlantic City Room Reviews 

Most Atlantic City casino hotels have undergone renovations in recent years that now provide exceptional quality and value compared to Las Vegas. Off the Boardwalk and outside the Marina District, however, Atlantic City room reviews aren’t exactly glowing.

At the Sunset Inn, for example, less than a half-mile from the entrance of Borgata, among the most luxurious casino hotels in Atlantic City, many reviews complain about poor cleanliness, including bed bugs, as well as safety concerns.

“We got in the room, and the bathroom had a dead frog. They had bed bugs, and the bed sheets were red and nasty like old blood,” read a recent Tripadvisor review.

This place is the most horrible place I’ve ever stayed,” read another on Google. “It looked very sketchy and was.”

Nearer the Boardwalk, recent reviews of the Econo Lodge expressed safety worries.

I had a corner room outside of security camera view. A homeless person slept against my door,” read a Google review.

“Poor security on the property. Do not stay here!” read another.

“Nightmare! It has no security. Ya’ll need security outside the rooms. People could do whatever they wanted,” read another.