Short-term rental checker

Can you rent it short-term?

Pick the township, village or city the property sits in. You'll see the rule as of our last check of the adopted ordinance, and who to call to confirm it before you write an offer.

Choose a place above. Not sure which township an address is in? Check the tax bill or the listing, or send us the address below.

What the labels mean

These are our shorthand, not legal categories. Read the full entry for the place you care about, then call the zoning administrator listed. Rules here change often, and a township can start enforcing an old rule at any time.

Read the full 2026 STR guide

  • BANNED
    Whole-house short-term rentals are not allowed.
  • CLOSED
    No realistic path for a new investor.
  • SATURATED
    Licenses are capped and full, and some end when the house sells.
  • RESTRICTED
    Allowed only in certain districts or under tight limits.
  • TECHNICAL
    A detail decides it, for example a cap, septic size, site plan review, a one-week minimum, or owner-occupied B&B only.
  • PERMIT
    Allowed with a license or permit. Some are capped, wait-listed, or end when the house sells.
  • VARIES
    Depends on where in the jurisdiction the parcel is.
  • OPEN
    No short-term rental rules found in the zoning. Where unlisted uses are prohibited, that silence can cut against you, so confirm.
  • UNREGULATED
    No short-term rental ordinance today. That is not the same as permission.
  • WATCH
    No rule yet, but the township is moving on zoning or rentals.
  • VOLATILE
    Rules are in motion. Expect them to change.
  • VERIFY
    The rule is unclear or its details couldn't be confirmed. Call before you rely on it.

Have a specific address?

The township is only half of it. Zoning district, condo or HOA bylaws, deed restrictions and septic size can all stop a rental on one parcel and allow it next door. Send the address and Taylor will look at the parcel and tell you what he finds.

Taylor is a Realtor, not an attorney. For anything you're relying on, get it in writing from the township.

Got it.

Taylor will look into the parcel and get back to you, usually within a day.

Looking for a place you can rent?

Tell us the area and budget and we'll send listings in places where short-term rental is actually allowed.

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Janel Brown and Taylor Brown, Realtors, Real Estate One, Traverse City. Ordinance summaries come from our STR guide and reflect the check dates shown there. Nothing on this page is legal advice.