The 2026 Guide to Northern Michigan Short-Term Rentals
Investing in Northern Michigan isn't just about buying a pretty view anymore — it's about navigating a maze of township ordinances. The era of "buy it and Airbnb it" is over. Now, you need to know exactly where the lines are drawn.
This guide covers the five-county region: Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Antrim, Benzie, and Kalkaska. I've done the heavy lifting so you know which townships are friendly, which are closed, and which ones will get you fined.
A Critical Warning on Jurisdiction
In Michigan, villages often have different rules than the townships they sit inside.
The Trap: You can buy a house in a township that's friendly to STRs, but if your property sits inside a village boundary, it may be subject to stricter — or entirely different — rules.
Rule of Thumb: If the address says "Village of..." or "City of...", assume stricter rules apply. Always check the tax record for the specific jurisdiction before writing an offer.
I. Grand Traverse County
The economic hub. Most townships here are regulated. If it's near water, it's likely capped.
Acme Township — RESTRICTED
Verdict: High Compliance Cost.
There is a cap of 100 licenses total, split between 50 "Tourist Homes" and 50 "Vacation Homes." While not yet full, it is strict. The township requires a "Local Agent" within 30 miles and has heavy nuisance enforcement. Do your math on compliance costs before buying.
Blair Township — OPEN
Verdict: Workforce Housing Play.
Mostly residential and commuter areas. Largely unregulated for now, but tourism demand is lower compared to water-access townships. Best suited for investors looking at affordability over peak-season rental income.
East Bay Township — CLOSED
Verdict: Market Closed.
The cap of 145 licenses is full. On top of that, the township's 1,000-foot buffer rule between any new and existing short-term rentals makes getting a new license nearly impossible even if a spot opens up. This market is effectively locked.
Fife Lake Township — FRIENDLY
Verdict: Growth Opportunity.
A 2025 ordinance established clear rules with an affordable entry price and a manageable "30-minute caretaker" requirement. One of the more straightforward places to get started in Grand Traverse County. Note: The Village of Fife Lake may have separate rules — always verify.
Garfield Township — VARIES
Verdict: Commercial Play Only.
Generally hostile to STRs in residential zones (R-1/R-2). However, the township has become friendlier to short-term rentals in commercial or mixed-use districts. If you're eyeing Garfield, make sure the property is zoned appropriately.
Green Lake Township — TECHNICAL
Verdict: Septic Bound.
Uses a "Certificate" system based on septic capacity. Your occupancy is strictly limited by what your septic system can handle. Get a septic evaluation before making any assumptions about guest count.
Long Lake Township — TECHNICAL
Verdict: Septic Bound / Watchlist.
No hard cap yet, but occupancy is strictly tied to Septic Daily Flow. Moratorium discussions happened in 2025, so keep a close eye on this one. Regulations could tighten at any time.
Paradise Township — PERMIT
Verdict: Paperwork Heavy.
License required with strict annual renewal. A solid option for Kingsley-area overflow if you don't mind the administrative burden.
Peninsula Township (Old Mission) — BANNED
Verdict: Do Not Buy for STR.
Strict zoning restrictions and a high-enforcement environment. Peninsula Township is currently embroiled in massive litigation — a federal judge awarded nearly $50 million to Old Mission Peninsula wineries in July 2025 over unconstitutional zoning ordinances, and the case remains on appeal. While that lawsuit is about winery operations rather than STRs specifically, it tells you everything you need to know about how aggressively this township enforces its zoning. Do not attempt to "fly under the radar" here.
Whitewater Township — VOLATILE
Verdict: High Risk.
Currently rewriting its ordinance. There is a history of conflict between residents and investors. Proceed with extreme caution until the new rules are finalized and you can read them yourself.
II. Leelanau County
The most expensive and restrictive market. "Friendly" here usually means "Permit Required + Strict Septic Limits."
Bingham Township — FRIENDLY
Verdict: Stable Buy.
Permit required. Maximum of 10 guests allowed, regardless of house size. No "party barns" permitted. Clean rules, manageable compliance.
Centerville Township — OPEN
Verdict: Good Value.
Less regulation than neighboring townships. Good overflow traffic from the Good Harbor Bay area. Worth a look for investors priced out of the waterfront townships.
Cleveland Township — CLOSED
Verdict: Waitlist.
The cap of 36 licenses is full. There is a waitlist. Unless you're willing to wait, look elsewhere.
Elmwood Township — CLOSED
Verdict: Waitlist.
The cap of 93 licenses is full, and there is a paid waitlist. This is the main spillover area from Traverse City. The township hired STR compliance firm Granicus for enforcement, so unlicensed operation carries real risk.
Empire Township — HOSTILE
Verdict: Avoid.
Moving toward prohibition or strict controls to protect local housing stock. Not the place to make a speculative buy.
Glen Arbor Township — RESTRICTED
Verdict: High Barrier.
Effectively restricts STRs to the Business District. Residential cottages are generally a no-go for new investors. Beautiful area, but the regulatory wall is high.
Leelanau Township (Northport) — PERMIT
Verdict: Strict.
Strict occupancy limits based on Health Department ratings, with a maximum of 15 guests. Permit required.
Leland Township — PERMIT
Verdict: Strict.
Permit required. Occupancy tied to septic capacity. High-scrutiny area due to density concerns.
Suttons Bay — SATURATED
Verdict: Risky. Read Carefully.
This is one where the village/township distinction really matters.
Village of Suttons Bay: The village has capped permits at 45 (currently grandfathering 57 existing permits, reducing through attrition). Critically, permits are non-transferable — if you buy a house with a permit, the permit dies at closing. You would need to apply fresh, and no new permits are being issued until the count drops to 45. This is a trap for uninformed buyers.
Suttons Bay Township: Separate rules apply. The township has its own permit system with a $200 annual fee. Permits here also require new applications upon sale, but the township is not capped in the same way. Verify directly with the township zoning administrator before assuming transferability.
III. Antrim County
The "Wild West." Contains the most restrictive markets (Torch Lake) and completely unregulated townships (interior).
Banks Township — VOLATILE
Verdict: Speculative.
The township has been considering repealing zoning entirely. While that might sound friendly to STR investors, it carries huge risk — without zoning, there's nothing preventing incompatible uses (think gravel mining) from opening next to your rental property.
Village of Bellaire — UNREGULATED (Verify Before Buying)
Verdict: Currently No Dedicated STR Ordinance, but Watch Closely.
As of early 2026, the Village of Bellaire does not have a dedicated short-term rental ordinance. Properties must comply with existing zoning regulations and general housing standards. However, given the broader trend across Northern Michigan toward STR regulation, this could change. Contact the Village Clerk/Zoning Administrator at (231) 533-8213 to verify current rules before making any purchase.
Central Lake Township — FRIENDLY
Verdict: Chain of Lakes Play.
"Good Neighbor" policy. Generally safe for investors with great access to the Elk River Chain of Lakes.
Forest Home Township — FRIENDLY
Verdict: Safe Bet.
Online portal for permits. Manageable regulations. One of the more straightforward townships in Antrim County.
Helena Township — FRIENDLY
Verdict: Water Focus.
Regulatory focus is on watercraft and nuisance issues rather than banning rentals outright.
Milton Township — WATCH
Verdict: Data Gathering.
Requires a "Renter Log." This is typically a sign that a township is laying the groundwork for future regulation. Stay alert for ordinance changes.
Torch Lake Township — BANNED
Verdict: Grandfathered Only.
Only pre-1983 commercial uses are allowed. New entrants are effectively banned. The few existing legal rentals are extremely valuable and rarely change hands.
The "No Zoning" Townships
Includes: Chestonia, Custer, Echo, Jordan, Mancelona Township, Star, Warner.
Verdict: No Zoning = No STR Rules. Low entry price, but zero protection from incompatible neighboring uses. You could buy a lakefront cabin and end up next to anything. No local zoning administrator — contact Antrim County Administration at (231) 533-6265 to confirm no county-level restrictions.
IV. Benzie County
A patchwork. Inland is open; Crystal Lake and waterfronts are tight.
Almira Township (Lake Ann) — TECHNICAL
Verdict: Fees and Process.
High fees plus a Major Site Plan Review are required. This process discourages casual or accidental hosts. Budget for the upfront compliance cost.
Crystal Lake Township — STRICT
Verdict: High Demand, High Scrutiny.
Heavy scrutiny due to lake density. Expect caps or strict septic rules. Strong demand keeps property values high, but the regulatory environment matches.
Homestead Township — RESTRICTED
Verdict: Niche.
There is a one-unit-per-owner rule. This is an anti-corporate provision designed to favor individual "mom and pop" hosts. You cannot build a portfolio here.
Lake Township — HOSTILE
Verdict: Avoid.
The township's ordinance explicitly states that STRs are "frequently incompatible" with residential uses. High risk for investors.
Inland Townships (Colfax, Inland, Platte) — OPEN
Verdict: Rural / Nature Play.
Likely unregulated. Good for river and nature-based tourism, especially near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Lower price points than waterfront townships.
V. Kalkaska County
The last frontier of affordability. Most townships are open, but Clearwater is now restricted.
Bear Lake Township — FRIENDLY
Verdict: Resort Zoning.
The zoning ordinance explicitly mentions "Resort Residential." A safe bet if you want clear regulatory footing.
Blue Lake Township — FRIENDLY
Verdict: Cash Flow.
Low regulations and good lake access. One of the more investor-friendly spots in the five-county area.
Clearwater Township — RESTRICTED
Verdict: Torch Lake Access Getting Tighter.
Clearwater Township has been tightening its approach to STRs. Given its position as the "Gateway to the Chain of Lakes," with Torch Lake to the north and Lake Skegemog to the west, demand is high. Verify current cap and permit requirements directly with the township at (231) 331-6249 before making any moves.
The Open Market
Includes: Kalkaska Township, Boardman, Coldsprings, Excelsior, Garfield (Kalkaska), Oliver, Orange, Rapid River, Springfield.
Verdict: Generally Open / Unregulated.
Verify local village rules if applicable, but these townships are generally wide open for investment. The lowest entry prices in the five-county region. County-zoned townships (Coldsprings, Excelsior, Kalkaska Township, Oliver, Orange, Springfield) fall under Kalkaska County Zoning — contact Laura Hendricks or Gayenell Gentelia at (231) 258-3367.
Zoning Administrator Contacts
Ordinances change fast. This guide is a snapshot of the market as of early 2026. Always call the Zoning Administrator before writing an offer.
Grand Traverse County
Acme — Lindsey Wolf — (231) 938-1350
Blair — Lisa Guerrieri — (231) 276-9263 ext. 113
East Bay — Bill Vandercook — (231) 947-8681 ext. 3
Fife Lake Township — Lisa Radtke — (231) 879-3963 ext. 302
Fife Lake Village — Village Office — (231) 879-4291
Garfield — Planning Dept — (231) 941-1620
Grant — Doug Moyer — (231) 263-7168
Green Lake — Jason Hamilton — (231) 276-9329 ext. 106
Long Lake — Matt Jerome — (231) 534-4284
Mayfield — Township Hall — (231) 263-4599
Paradise — Jenn Cram — (231) 263-5251
Peninsula — Sara Kopriva — (231) 223-7318
Union — Mary Erickson — (231) 564-2201
Whitewater — Deb Graber — (231) 267-5141 ext. 21
Leelanau County
Bingham — Steve Patmore — (231) 922-6767 ext. 5
Centerville — Scott Sheehan — (231) 633-4002
Cleveland — Scott Sheehan — (231) 633-4002
Elmwood — Planning/Zoning Dept — (231) 946-0921
Empire Township — Sara Kopriva — (231) 674-5377
Empire Village — Robert Hall — (231) 429-6703
Glen Arbor — Tim Cypher — (231) 360-2557
Leelanau — Steve Patmore — (231) 386-5138 ext. 4
Leland — Tim Cypher — (231) 360-2557
Solon — Tim Cypher — (231) 360-2557
Suttons Bay Township — Steve Patmore — (231) 271-2722 ext. 3
Suttons Bay Village — Village Office — (231) 271-3051
Antrim County
Banks — David Muladore — (231) 350-1624
Bellaire Village — Angela St. Pierre (Clerk/ZA) — (231) 533-8213
Central Lake — Scott Barrett — (231) 544-6483
Elk Rapids Township — Creston Scheel — (231) 264-9333
Elk Rapids Village — Village Zoning — (231) 264-9274
Forest Home — Stephen Barnard — (231) 203-4031
Helena — Bob Logee — (231) 331-7303
Kearney — Dan Hiltz — (231) 533-5719 ext. 5
Mancelona Village — Maureen Naumcheff — (231) 587-8331
Milton — Sara Kopriva — (231) 264-6697
Torch Lake — Sara Kopriva — (231) 599-2036 ext. 105
Unzoned Townships — Antrim County Admin — (231) 533-6265
Benzie County
Almira — Kate Preston — (231) 275-5862
Benzonia — Jason Barnard — (231) 882-4411
Beulah Village — Tim Cypher — (231) 360-2557
Blaine — Josh Mills — (231) 651-9117
Colfax — Angel Kraft — (231) 970-1560
Crystal Lake — Tom Kucera — (231) 352-9791
Elberta Village — Josh Mills — (231) 651-9117
Gilmore — Josh Mills — (231) 651-9117
Homestead — Marvin Radtke — (231) 631-7171
Honor Village — Rosemary Naulty — (937) 536-9501
Inland — Mike Zielinski — (231) 383-1229
Joyfield — Betsy Evans — (231) 383-2798
Lake — Josh Mills — (231) 325-5202
Lake Ann Village — Gary Florip — lakeannzoningadm@gmail.com
Platte — Jason Barnard — (231) 882-4411
Weldon — Tim Cypher — (231) 360-2557
Kalkaska County
Bear Lake — Tony Merrill — (231) 882-6621
Blue Lake — Todd Conzemius — (231) 894-6335
Boardman — Teresa Captain — (231) 369-2551
Clearwater — John West — (947) 941-1894
Garfield (Kalkaska) — Zoning Admin — (231) 632-3253
Rapid River — Bob Hall — (231) 258-2943
County-Zoned Townships — Laura Hendricks / Gayenell Gentelia — (231) 258-3367
This guide is a snapshot of the market as of early 2026. Ordinances change fast — sometimes between the time an article is written and the time you read it. Always verify directly with the local zoning administrator before making any purchase decisions. Nothing in this guide constitutes legal advice.
Have questions about buying or selling in Northern Michigan? Contact Taylor Brown at Real Estate One
