East Bay Township sits in the north central part of Grand Traverse County, right up against the southeast side of Traverse City. It has about three miles of frontage on East Grand Traverse Bay along Munson Avenue and US-31, and from there it runs south and east into the Forest Lakes and roughly 15,000 acres of Pere Marquette State Forest.
At the 2020 census, 11,589 people lived here, on about 40 square miles of land.
I'm Taylor Brown. My mom and business partner, Janel, and I sell homes all over Northern Michigan, and East Bay is a good fit if you want to be close to downtown but still have trees, a lake, or a little more yard than you'd get in the city.
The bay end. The busy part of the township is the bay corridor. It's Munson Avenue from the city limits at Avenue B out to Three Mile Road, then US-31 and M-72 east toward Acme. Traverse City State Park and the township's Gens Park both give you access to the water on that stretch.
The Forest Lakes. Head south and it's a different feel. Spider Lake (about 450 acres) and Arbutus Lake (about 395 acres) are the biggest, and there are a dozen more, including Rennie, High, Chandler, Bass and Spring. The township has a park on Arbutus Lake with a boat launch, a fishing pier and swimming, and another on Chandler Lake.
Trails and woods. Brown Bridge Quiet Area is about 1,310 acres of City of Traverse City land along the Boardman River. The City closed on another 528 acres in May 2026, and a new trailhead off Hobbs Highway is planned to open in summer 2027. The TART and Three Mile trails and the North Country Trail run through the area too, and the VASA Pathway is right next door.
Hammond Road. Hammond reopened on November 5, 2026. The rebuild and Safe Routes to School project adds 1.6 miles of walking and biking path and a civic plaza at Three Mile and Hammond. That corner is the center of the "East Bay Corners" area in the township's 2023 master plan, so expect more there over the next few years.
What buyers should know.
Schools. The whole township is in Traverse City Area Public Schools. Cherry Knoll and Courtade elementaries and East Middle School are all inside the township.
Short-term rentals. You need a township license to advertise or run one (the Regional Business district is exempt). Licenses are capped at 145 township-wide and the cap is full right now, so a home without a license may not be able to get one. They cost $450 a year, renew by November 1, and need a septic check every three years. The next application window opens in March 2027. Run any address through our STR Checker before you count on rental income.
Taxes. On the 2025 rates, total millage is about 26.79 mills on a primary residence and 44.79 on a second home or rental. That includes a 4.21 mill emergency services assessment. Our payment calculator will give you a real monthly number.
Water and sewer. Township water and sewer serve the northern, more built-up part. Most homes out in the Forest Lakes are on a private well and septic, so get both inspected.
The housing. The Census puts the median owner-occupied home value at $278,800 and the median year built at 1984. That value is a five-year survey average, so it runs behind today's prices. Only about 11% of homes are seasonal, which tells you this is mostly a year-round place.
Why our experience matters here. Buying near the bay usually means a subdivision home on township water and sewer, close to everything. Buying down by the lakes means frontage, a well, a septic and sometimes a long gravel road. Those are different inspections and different questions, and we go through the rental rules, septic history and frontage with you before you write an offer.
Come see it. If East Bay is on your list, reach out and we'll drive it with you, from the bay out to Spider Lake.
Shopping the water? See our East Bay waterfront homes for sale.
Janel & Taylor Brown
The Brown Team | Real Estate One
(231) 360-1510
