Peninsula Township enacts a schedule of civil fines for short-term rentals, which is unlawful under the current Peninsula Township Zoning Ordinance. The Traverse City Commission is not ready to move forward with R-2 zoning amendment to support increased housing density in Traverse City. Charter Township of Long Lake continues to move forward with a proposal that would allow Accessory Dwelling Units by-right in most zoning districts.
1. Peninsula Township Enacts Fines for Unlawful Operation of Short-Term Rentals in Peninsula Township
At the March 26th Peninsula Township Board Special Meeting Resolution 2025-03-26 #1 was enacted, defined as a “Schedule of Civil Fines for Unlawful Operation of Short-Term Rentals”. You can view the resolution here on pages 52 to 56. Peninsula Township Board expressed in this March 26th meeting that this policy is specifically for the prevention of short-term rental operation in residential dwellings. If you would like to listen to Peninsula Township Board’s discussion of this resolution you can do so here (the short-term rental civil fines are discussed from minute 47:10 to minute 1:11:42). Some specific language from Resolution 2025-03-26 #1:
- “Whereas, Section 6.2.2 (e) of the Peninsula Township Zoning Ordinance prohibits rental of a non-owner-occupied dwelling for less than 30 days - otherwise commonly referred to as a short-term rental.”
- “Whereas, any operation of a short-term rental within Peninsula Township is a violation of the Zoning Ordinance and shall be considered a municipal civil infraction.”
- Schedule of Civil Fines:
- “First Offense: $500.00
- Second Offense: $750.00
- Third Offense: $1,500.00
- Subsequent Offenses: $5,000.00
It is important to note that this resolution defines “each day a violation” that a short-term rental is in operation.
Aspire North REALTORS has also updated our Short-Term Rental Guide to include Peninsula Township’s new schedule of civil fines in addition to information on all short-term rental policies across the 6-county (Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, and Wexford county) region. If you are aware of any updates to these policies in your local community or notice any discrepancies in the Short-Term Rental Guide contact me at connor@aspirenorthrealtors.com.
2. Traverse City Commission Shelves Consideration of Allowance of Up to Four Dwelling Units Per Lot in R-2 Zoning District, For Now
This past Monday, April 7th the Traverse City (TC) Commission decided not to act on a zoning ordinance amendment that would allow up to four dwelling units per lot in the R-2 Two-Family Dwelling District, as recommended for approval by the TC Planning Commission. In alignment with Aspire North REALTORS® local advocacy priorities, I provided public comment expressing support for this zoning ordinance amendment that would provide homeowners with the ability to provide more housing options for people in the Traverse City community. You can read my public comment offered here or view it here (from minute 55:28 to minute 58:16). You can also view the full discussion of the R-2 zoning ordinance amendment here (TC Commissioner discussion from minute 33:34 to minute 55:28 and public comment as well as the TC Mayor’s response to public comment from minute 55:28 to minute 1:12:37). You can also check out the Traverse City Record-Eagle’s coverage of the April 7th discussion here.
For more background on the Traverse City R-2 zoning ordinance amendment check out the March 10th GAD Top 3 and the March 24th GAD Top 3.
3. Charter Township of Long Lake Planning Commission Continues Consideration of Proposal to Allow ADUs
At their March 25th meeting the Charter Township of Long Lake Planning Commission held a public hearing to review a proposal to amend their zoning ordinance to regulate Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and create standards and design requirements for eligible properties. The background materials in the March 25th Charter Township of Long Lake Planning Commission Meeting Packet can be found here (on pages 54 to 72). In short, if passed this proposal would allow ADUs as a use-by-right in the following zoning districts:
- Conservation Recreation
- Agricultural
- Natural Lakefront
- Low Density Residential
- Lake Residential
- Moderate Density Residential
- High Density Residential
This proposal would also define ADU as “a subordinate habitable dwelling unit that provides complete independent living facilities which is situated on the same lot as the principal single family dwelling unit.” The proposal also establishes design requirements for ADUs in the Charter Township of Long Lake (page 62). Check out the March 25th Charter Township of Long Lake Planning Commission Meeting Packet (pages 54 to 72) for more information.
