Selling or Buying a Home in Denville, NJ
A local guide from Irma Brainard, Weichert Realtors — a Realtor licensed in New Jersey since 2017 who lives right next door in Rockaway Borough.
Why buyers love Denville
Denville is known as the “Hub of Morris County” because so many major roads meet here. Buyers like it for the walkable downtown with local shops and restaurants, the lake communities, and the train station right in town. Since I live in neighboring Rockaway Borough, Denville is part of my everyday life, and I can help you compare it honestly with the towns around it.
Denville at a glance
- Location: Morris County, about 12.7 square miles, next to Rockaway Borough, Rockaway Township, Parsippany and Morris Plains.
- Population: about 17,100 residents (2020 census).
- Highways: Interstate 80, U.S. Route 46, Route 10 and Route 53.
- Trains to NYC: the Denville NJ Transit station serves the Morristown Line and the Montclair-Boonton Line, with service to Hoboken and New York Penn Station.
- Local buses: NJ Transit bus 880 connects Denville with Rockaway Borough, Rockaway Township, Dover, Parsippany and Morristown.
- Schools: the Denville Township School District runs Lakeview and Riverview elementary schools and Valleyview Middle School. High school students typically attend Morris Knolls High School in the Morris Hills Regional District.
- Lakes and parks: lake communities including Indian Lake, Cedar Lake, Rock Ridge and Lake Arrowhead, plus Tourne County Park, with more than 540 acres of trails.
- Property taxes: the average residential tax bill in Denville was about $11,300 in 2024, similar to Rockaway Township and a little higher than Rockaway Borough, about $10,100 (NJ Division of Taxation). Taxes are paid quarterly, due February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1.
Selling your home in Denville
Denville draws buyers who want a real downtown, a train into the city and good highway access. To get the strongest price, your home needs to be priced from real local data and presented well. Here's how I help sellers:
- A detailed comparative market analysis based on recent Denville and nearby sales
- Prep and staging guidance so your home shows at its best
- Professional photos and video, targeted online ads and social media
- Negotiation from offer through attorney review, inspections and closing
- Short sale experience if you owe more than your home is worth
What the township requires before you close
Every New Jersey town sets its own resale rules. According to Denville's “Selling Your House” page, the smoke detector inspection is the only inspection the township requires to sell a house.
1. Smoke detector, carbon monoxide and fire extinguisher inspection
Call Denville Fire Prevention at 973-625-8300, ext. 257, to schedule. The inspector checks the smoke detectors, the carbon monoxide detectors and the kitchen fire extinguisher. The fee depends on how much notice you give:
| Notice before the inspection | Fee |
|---|---|
| More than 10 days | $35 |
| 4–10 days | $70 |
| Fewer than 4 days | $125 |
2. Close out any open permits
The township asks that all open permits be closed out before the property transfers. Denville has an online permit lookup, so we can check this before we list.
3. Property taxes and utilities current
Taxes and any township water or sewer charges should be paid through the closing date. The Tax Collector's office can confirm what is owed.
Fees are from the Township of Denville's fee schedule. Confirm current fees with the township before you schedule.
When we list your home, I put these on our calendar right away so nothing holds up your closing.
Buying a home in Denville
Many buyers come to Denville from elsewhere in North Jersey or from New York City, often for the train. I'll give you an honest picture of the commute, property taxes and how Denville compares with nearby towns like Rockaway Borough, Rockaway Township and Randolph, so you can decide with confidence.
A town favorite: the Great Denville Duck Race
One of my favorite local events is the Carol Jacko Great Denville Duck Race, run each September by the Denville Sunrise Rotary Club at Gardner Field. Participants decorate rubber ducks in the morning, then the ducks go into the water at noon and the first one across the line wins. Ducks are sold at local Denville businesses before race day. It's a fun day that raises money for Rotary's community work.
Later in the year, downtown Denville kicks off the holidays with the Denville Holiday Parade on Thanksgiving weekend. For next year's duck race date, check the Denville Sunrise Rotary Club, and see what else is happening downtown at Downtown Denville.
Useful Denville links
- Township of Denville (official site)
- Selling Your House (township page)
- Fire Prevention (resale inspection)
- Construction Department (permits)
- Tax Collector
- Tax Assessor
- Garbage and recycling
- Municipal Clerk (OPRA requests)
- Township forms
- Recreation
- Denville Free Public Library
- Denville Township School District
- Morris Hills Regional High Schools
- NJ Transit (Denville station)
- Downtown Denville
Denville FAQs
What do I need to sell a house in Denville, NJ?
According to the township, the only required inspection is the smoke detector inspection, which covers smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and the kitchen fire extinguisher. The township also asks that all open permits be closed out before the property transfers.
How much is the Denville smoke detector inspection?
Under the township fee schedule, it's $35 with more than 10 days' notice, $70 with 4–10 days' notice and $125 with fewer than 4 days' notice. Confirm current fees with the township.
What are property taxes like in Denville?
The average residential tax bill was about $11,300 in 2024, similar to Rockaway Township and a little higher than Rockaway Borough. Taxes are paid quarterly, due February 1, May 1, August 1 and November 1.
Is there a train to New York City from Denville?
Yes. The Denville NJ Transit station is on the Morristown Line and the Montclair-Boonton Line, with service to Hoboken and New York Penn Station.
What high school do Denville students attend?
After Lakeview or Riverview Elementary and Valleyview Middle School, Denville students typically attend Morris Knolls High School in the Morris Hills Regional District.
Thinking about a move in Denville?
Call or text Irma Brainard at 201-575-5013 for a free, no-obligation conversation about your home's value or your search.
Call or Text Irma Rockaway Borough GuideIrma Brainard is a New Jersey licensed real estate salesperson with Weichert Realtors, 272 Bellevue Ave, Upper Montclair, NJ 07043. Town facts from the 2020 U.S. Census, the NJ Division of Taxation, the Township of Denville and the Denville Township School District. Fees, schedules and school assignments can change, so verify with the township or district.
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Irma Brainard is a licensed real estate salesperson in the State of New Jersey, affiliated with Weichert Realtors®. All information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Equal Housing Opportunity.