STR regulatory status for Lake Michigan-bordering townships and municipalities from Michiana to Manistee. Current as of July 2026 — rules shift often, so always confirm directly with the local zoning department before relying on this page. Rows flagged Updated changed since the June edition — see each row’s notes for details.
Status Key:
Open — Permitted
Capped / Restricted
Moratorium
Banned / Prohibited
Unconfirmed
Berrien County
| Township / Municipality | STR Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
New Buffalo Township
City of New Buffalo, Village of Grand Beach, Village of Michiana
|
Capped / Restricted | License required; 36-month license term. One STR license per parcel maximum per March 2025 amendment (Ordinance No. 20250317) — multi-unit owners are limited to one licensed STR unit per parcel regardless of number of dwelling units. Permit is tied to the property — transfer on sale not confirmed. ⚠️ Verify license availability and transfer policy directly with township before any purchase decision. Contact: (269) 469-1011 | ebrinkman@newbuffalotownship.org |
|
City of New Buffalo
New Buffalo
|
Capped / Restricted | STRs restricted to certain commercial and mixed zoning districts per ordinance. City posted an STR page update January 21, 2026 — no new residential expansion confirmed. ⚠️ Recommend direct contact for current zone map before any decision. Contact: aschroeder@cityofnewbuffalomi.gov (Amber Schroeder, Zoning Coordinator) |
|
Chikaming Township
Lakeside, Harbert, Sawyer, Union Pier
|
Capped / Restricted | Moratorium lifted. New ordinance effective March 23, 2026. Permits capped at 550 township-wide. Tiered fee structure: $500 for first bedroom, $250 per additional bedroom. Existing permit holders renewed for 2026. As of July 2026, the 550-permit cap remains full — new applications are not being accepted for 2026. Remaining permits, if any, will be announced after the February 2027 renewal cycle. No waitlist will be established. Licenses do not appear to transfer automatically on sale — confirm transfer process with township before purchase. Contact: (269) 231-3400 (Rental Hotline) | chikamingtownship.org |
|
Lincoln Charter Township
Stevensville, Bridgman
|
Unconfirmed | No dedicated STR ordinance confirmed in recent public records. STRs likely governed by general zoning provisions. ⚠️ Recommend direct contact with township zoning administrator to confirm current status before any decision. Contact: (269) 983-7111 | lctberrien.org |
|
City of St. Joseph
St. Joseph
|
Capped / Restricted | STRs permitted only in the W (Water Recreation) and D (Downtown) zoning districts as conditional use, and in R3 (Multi-family Residential) as special use. Annual business license required; registration updated March 2025. Residential neighborhoods are not eligible. ⚠️ Confirm zone eligibility for any specific parcel with the Building Department before any purchase decision. Contact: (269) 983-1212 (Building) | sjcity.com |
|
Coloma Charter Township
Coloma, Paw Paw Lake
|
Open — Permitted | Dedicated STR ordinance in place; updated ordinance introduced March 2025. Annual registration required — Rental Registration Packet and Schedule of Fees available at colomatownship.org. No hard permit cap identified. Note: township serves the Paw Paw Lake area, a popular inland vacation market in Berrien County (not directly Lake Michigan-facing). ⚠️ Recommend direct contact to confirm current fee schedule and any zoning restrictions before proceeding. Contact: (269) 468-7212 | colomatownship.org |
Van Buren County
| Township / Municipality | STR Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Covert Township
Covert, Hagar Shores
|
Open — Permitted | STR ordinance in place; enforcement handled by Safe Built. Annual Rental Certificate required. No 2025–2026 changes identified. ⚠️ Recommend direct contact to confirm current fee schedule. Contact: (269) 729-9244 | zoning@coverttwp.com |
|
City of South Haven
South Haven
|
Capped / Restricted | City Council approved a conditional license mechanism beginning March 27, 2026 to manage a 500+ property backlog. All old Article X licenses expired May 1, 2026. Conditional licenses under Article V (up to two years) are now being issued for properties that were registered as of March 17, 2025 and have submitted complete applications and fees — approximately 500 properties are operating under conditional licenses while the city works through its inspection backlog. 1:4 density cap (~20% of housing stock) remains in effect. Major regulatory transition actively underway — confirm license status on any specific property before proceeding. City and township operate separate programs; confirm which applies to your parcel. Contact: (269) 637-0791 | str@southhavenmi.gov (Megan Blodgett, STR Coordinator) |
|
South Haven Charter Township
South Haven area, Kibbie
|
Open — Permitted | Ordinance No. 169 adopted August 13, 2025. Min 3-night stay, max 27 nights. Community Service Commercial district rentals now exempt from the one-rental-per-calendar-week requirement per 2025 amendment. Annual permit required. Contact: (269) 637-3305 | southhaventwp.com (Tasha Smalley, Zoning Administrator) |
Allegan County
| Township / Municipality | STR Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Casco Township
Glenn, Pullman, Kibbie area
|
Open — Permitted | STRs permitted in all zoning districts. Annual registration required — $325 fee. Minimum 3-night stay; one rental turnover per week. Maximum occupancy: lesser of 12 total or 2 per bedroom plus 2 per finished floor. Owner or local agent must be able to respond on-site within 1 hour. Septic inspection by Allegan County Health Department required before first registration for properties without public water/sewer. ⚠️ Recommend direct contact to confirm current fee schedule and any zoning updates before proceeding. Contact: (269) 673-3239 | mtsallegan@frontier.com (Tasha Smalley, Michigan Township Services) |
|
Ganges Township
Pier Cove, Fennville shoreline
|
Moratorium | Ordinance No. 66 (adopted December 9, 2025) imposed a formal moratorium on all STR applications through June 30, 2026. The Board subsequently passed Resolution 2026-1 extending the moratorium through December 31, 2026. A new zoning ordinance markup went to Planning Commission public hearing on May 11, 2026 — adoption still pending as of July 2026. No new STR applications are being accepted or considered while the moratorium is in effect. ⚠️ Do not proceed on any Ganges Township property expecting STR income — moratorium remains in effect through at least December 31, 2026. Confirm directly with the township clerk before any purchase decision. Contact: (269) 543-8316 | gangesclerk@gmail.com (Robin Phelps, Clerk) |
|
Laketown Township
Unincorporated (Holland to Saugatuck corridor)
|
Restricted — Ban in Effect | New ordinance adopted May 13, 2026 (4–1 vote), effective May 26, 2026. Standalone STRs banned in all residential (R-1 through R-3) and Agricultural zones. ADUs permitted in R-1/R-1.5 with owner on-site and Planning Commission special use approval; attached ADUs only in R-2/R-3; standalone homes and ADUs permitted in MU Mixed-Use district. Existing licensed STRs (91 confirmed) continue as legal non-conforming uses regardless of zone. Daytime visitor cap: total persons on lot not to exceed 150% of occupancy limit (10am–10pm), meaning up to 50% additional visitors beyond overnight occupants. Moratorium on new licenses expired June 30, 2026. Specific enforcement procedures for summer 2026 had not been confirmed as finalized as of our last check — recommend direct contact with the township. Do not proceed without confirming current license and zone eligibility directly with the township. Contact: (616) 335-3050 | office@laketowntwp.org |
|
Saugatuck Township
City of Douglas
|
Open — Permitted | STR ordinance in place with licensing and nuisance standards. Annual Rental Certificate and fire inspection required. No hard density cap at the township level. No 2025–2026 changes confirmed. ⚠️ Recommend direct contact to confirm current fee schedule. Contact: (269) 857-7721 | info@saugatucktownshipmi.gov |
|
City of Saugatuck
Saugatuck
|
Capped / Restricted | STR complaint hotline in place; annual license required. License caps apply by zoning district. Transferability limited — confirm availability with city before any purchase. February 2026 ordinance amendments adjusted the license renewal date, application window, and added a one-time amnesty period for existing license holders. As of June 11, 2026: 7 new licenses available — 4 in Peninsula South (R-1), 1 in Peninsula North Duneside (R-1), 2 in Peninsula North Riverside (R-1). Application window: July 1–21, 2026. A public lottery will be held for each district if applications exceed available slots. Applications accepted by mail, email, or in person at City Hall. ⚠️ WATCH: Wickwood Inn “Boutique Inn” reclassification — City Council approved conditional rezoning May 11, 2026; liquor license approved June 8, 2026. Planning Commission review of final zoning conditions ongoing. If finalized, would create a new land use category for small inns in R-1 districts separate from the STR framework. Contact: (269) 237-1823 | gmoore@saugatuckcity.com (Grayson Moore, Director of Planning & Zoning) |
|
City of Douglas
Douglas
|
Open — Permitted | STR licensing in place. No 2025–2026 ordinance changes found. ⚠️ Recommend direct contact to confirm current requirements. Contact: (269) 857-1438 | douglasmi.gov |
Ottawa County
| Township / Municipality | STR Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Park Township
Holland (west), Holland State Park area
|
Banned / Prohibited | Updated Banned outside C-2 Commercial zone per Ordinance 2024-01. Federal lawsuit filed January 14, 2026 by Park Township Neighbors alleging due process violations under the 5th and 14th Amendments; seeking damages and an injunction. State appeal to Michigan Court of Appeals also pending. Records show the township has spent more than $338,000 in legal fees (through Oct. 2025) litigating against roughly 80 remaining STR owners. In a May 2026 petition (372 resident signatures), Park Township Neighbors is pressing the board to adopt Laketown Township’s approach — grandfathering pre-ban operators — rather than risk a Peninsula Township–style nine-figure liability judgment; no board action taken as of last check. Active enforcement and fines continue in residential zones regardless of litigation. ⚠️ WATCH: Monitor federal and state court proceedings and township legal-cost exposure before purchase. Contact: (616) 738-4239 | cwarden@parktownship.org (Chad Warden, Building Official) |
|
Holland Charter Township
Holland (suburban/eastern)
|
Banned / Prohibited | Short-term rentals (Airbnb, VRBO, vacation rentals) are NOT permitted in Holland Charter Township. Bed & Breakfast operations for stays of 14 consecutive days or fewer may be considered via Special Land Use Permit only — the owner/operator must reside on the premises. Holland Charter Township is a distinct jurisdiction from the City of Holland; do not assume the city’s STR framework applies to township parcels. ⚠️ Confirm parcel jurisdiction before any purchase decision — city vs. township boundaries are not always obvious. Contact: (616) 395-0151 | hct.holland.mi.us |
|
City of Holland
Holland
|
Capped / Restricted | STR ordinance in place. Non-owner-occupied rentals permitted with no cap in commercial/mixed-use zones (NMU, CMU, RMU, GMU, I). In residential zones (LDR, CNR, MDR, TNR) there is a hard cap of 25 units with a 500-foot separation distance required between units. The residential zone cap of 25 has been reached — no new residential non-owner-occupied STRs are available. Certificate of Compliance required; rental units inspected on 3- or 6-year cycle. "Three strikes" enforcement program. ⚠️ Confirm zone classification and cap status for any specific parcel before proceeding. Contact: (616) 355-1330 | cns@cityofholland.com (Community & Neighborhood Services) |
|
Grand Haven Charter Township
Grand Haven area
|
Capped / Restricted | STRs permitted only within the Short-Term Rental Overlay Zone; annual registration required (~$160 fee). Limited STRs (≤14 days/year) permitted township-wide for owner-occupied homes with principal residence exemption (PRE). Re-registration required on ownership transfer within 30 days. No 2025–2026 ordinance changes found. Not a viable framework for investment STRs outside the overlay zone. Contact: (616) 842-5988 | ghtmi.gov |
|
City of Grand Haven
Grand Haven
|
Capped / Restricted | STRs restricted to specific overlay zones only. Eligible zones: Centertown Overlay (added Sept 9, 2025, ~23 parcels between Columbus & Franklin Ave.), Old Town (Key Street segments, special use approval required), Central Business District, Dune Residential (special use approval), Waterfront-2, and within Grand Landing, The Elliott on Seventh, and Harbourfront Condos. Annual registration $165; initial registration (including first inspection) $525. Short-term Rental Eligibility Map available at grandhaven.org. Standard residential neighborhoods are not eligible. ⚠️ Verify parcel eligibility using the city's STR eligibility map before any purchase decision. Contact: (616) 935-3276 | grandhaven.org (City Planner — Brian Urquhart) |
|
Port Sheldon Township
West Olive, Lakeshore area
|
Open — Permitted | STR ordinance effective January 1, 2025. Annual registration required. Single-family dwellings only. Minimum 2 off-street parking spaces required; no street or lawn parking. Functional, active program. Contact: (616) 399-6121 | ryan@portsheldontwp.org |
|
Spring Lake Township
Spring Lake area
|
Capped / Restricted | STRs permitted only within the Strawberry Point STR Overlay District — a limited area with approximately 221 eligible homes. All other residential zones are prohibited, including the R-3 (Medium Density Residential–Cottage) district. $100 registration fee, 3-year term; currently only 22 STRs are registered within the overlay. Cove Street addresses are geographically outside the Strawberry Point overlay and are not eligible. Properties with a “Ferrysburg City” municipality designation are governed by Ferrysburg City ordinances, not Spring Lake Township rules — see the Ferrysburg row below. Michigan Supreme Court upheld local restriction authority. Contact: (616) 842-1340 | lhill@springlaketwp.org (Lukas Hill, Community Development Director) |
|
City of Ferrysburg
Ferrysburg
|
Open — Permitted | Rental permit application, property inspection, and annual registration required (2026 Rental Registration Form available at ferrysburg.org). City actively monitors for unlicensed listings using Host Compliance software. Permits do not auto-transfer on ownership change — new owner must complete the Change of Ownership Permit Checklist. Fee amount unconfirmed. Note: Properties with a “Ferrysburg City” municipality designation are subject to this ordinance, not Spring Lake Township rules. Contact: (616) 842-5803 | info@ferrysburg.org |
Muskegon County
| Township / Municipality | STR Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
City of Muskegon
Muskegon
|
Capped / Restricted | STR Overlay District with 11 zones, each with its own license cap. Licenses are non-transferable upon ownership change. County-wide 5% accommodation tax on all stays of 30 nights or fewer. No 2025–2026 changes identified. Contact: (231) 724-6766 | MUSKEGON@SAFEBUILT.COM |
|
Muskegon Township / Norton Shores
Norton Shores, Roosevelt Park, Muskegon Heights
|
Unconfirmed | County accommodation tax applies. Township-specific rules generally less restrictive than Ottawa County. Confirm zoning classification and local ordinance directly before proceeding. Muskegon Township: (231) 777-2555 ext. 1132 | bwerschem@muskegontwp.org Norton Shores: (231) 799-6800 |
Oceana County
| Township / Municipality | STR Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Benona Township
Silver Lake, Mears
|
Open — Permitted | STR ordinance (Ordinance 24) in place since Sept 2022. Registration and permit required. Strong seasonal rental market. ⚠️ WATCH: A draft zoning ordinance update (BenonaTwp-ZONING-2026-0416, dated April 2026) is posted on the township website and under consideration — confirm current requirements directly with the township before proceeding. Contact: (231) 861-2154 | benonazoning@gmail.com (Sara Bizon, Zoning Admin; Wed 10am–2pm) |
|
Golden Township
Hart, Crystal Valley, New Era area
|
Open — Permitted | Active STR portal and annual permit application required. Properties must comply with state and county building codes. Functional, accessible program. Contact: (231) 873-4413 | info@goldentownshipmi.gov |
|
Village of Pentwater
Pentwater
|
Capped / Restricted | Updated Status corrected from Open: the village ordinance (amended 2023) sets a hard cap of 100 licenses total — split 50 Tourist Home / 50 Vacation Home. Annual license required and must be displayed on the property; revoked after 3 violations in a calendar year. Current utilization against the cap and any waitlist were not confirmed in public sources. ⚠️ Recommend direct contact to confirm license availability before any purchase decision. Contact: (231) 869-8301 ext. 4 | zoning@pentwatervillage.org (Aaron Bigelow, Zoning Admin) |
Mason County
| Township / Municipality | STR Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Hamlin Township
Ludington area, Stearns Park, Lakeshore Drive corridor
|
Open — Permitted | Updated Status corrected from Unconfirmed: the township has operated a formal STR licensing system since September 2025 (built on the zoning ordinance framework, Ordinance 45, last updated July 2024). Per the township’s January 2026 board meeting packet, 67 STRs are currently registered. Registration fee amount and any numeric cap were still not confirmed in public sources as of this writing. ⚠️ Recommend direct contact with the zoning administrator to confirm current fee and any caps before proceeding. Contact: (231) 845-7801 ext. 1 | hamlintownship.org (Zak Iverson, Zoning Admin; Mon–Fri 8am–12:30pm) |
|
City of Ludington
Ludington
|
Capped / Restricted | Ordinance 429-20 in effect. Hard cap of 30 STR licenses city-wide; maximum 2 per city block. Cap has been full since at least 2022 — no licenses currently available for new applicants. City operates independently of Hamlin Township. Contact City of Ludington Planning & Zoning directly to confirm current availability before pursuing. Contact: (231) 845-6237 | sreed@ci.ludington.mi.us (Shaun Reed, Zoning & Building Official) |
|
Pere Marquette Charter Township
Lake Michigan shoreline north of Ludington
|
Open — Permitted | Dedicated STR ordinance in place (§109-3.48). Permit required. Local agent must reside or maintain a business within 45 miles of the property. Maximum occupancy: lesser of 16 total, or 2 per bedroom plus 2 per finished story. Property must make applicable township ordinance sections available to guests. No hard permit cap identified. Functional framework covering the Lake Michigan shoreline north of the City of Ludington. ⚠️ Recommend direct contact to confirm current permit fees and requirements. Contact: (231) 845-1277 ext. 2 | kristin@pmtwp.org (Kristin Lange, Zoning Admin) |
Manistee County
| Township / Municipality | STR Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
|
Arcadia Township
Arcadia, Lake Michigan shoreline (south Manistee County)
|
Open — Permitted | Dedicated STR ordinance in place with annual license renewal and application process. Zoning ordinance updated October 2025. Zoning administration handled by Manistee County Planning Department. No hard permit cap identified. ⚠️ Recommend direct contact to confirm current license requirements and fees before proceeding. Contact: (231) 398-3587 | planning@manisteecountymi.gov (Manistee County Planning Dept.) |
|
City of Manistee
Manistee
|
Capped / Restricted | First formal STR ordinance (Chapter 868) adopted July 2025. $100/yr registration fee, $150 inspection fee every 3 years. Cap of 165 STRs outside downtown/beach overlay districts. Insurance and local contact requirements apply. Ownership transfer requires re-registration within 30 days. Newer framework with remaining capacity. Contact: (231) 398-2805 | manisteemi.gov (Planning & Zoning) |
|
Manistee Township
Onekama, Bear Lake area
|
Unconfirmed | Township operates independently of city. Generally less restrictive than the city. Specific STR ordinance status not confirmed — contact Manistee Township directly. Contact: (231) 723-6507 | manisteetwp@gmail.com (Karen Clouse, Zoning Admin) |
Important Disclaimer: This document is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, tax, or investment advice. Short-term rental regulations change frequently and without notice. The information contained herein is based on publicly available sources and research current as of July 2026, and may not reflect recent ordinance changes, moratorium extensions, court decisions, or amendments. All information must be independently verified directly with the relevant municipality, township planning or zoning department, your licensed real estate attorney, and/or your CPA or financial advisor before making any purchase, investment, or operational decision. Brian Elmore, @properties Christie’s International Real Estate, and their agents make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or currency of this information. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Research current as of July 2026 | Brian Elmore at @properties Christie’s International Real Estate | For informational use only | Verify all information with local municipalities prior to use.