Short-Term Rental Policies in Benzie County
City
The City of Frankfort, as of January 10th, 2023, passed a Short-Term Rental Ordinance. This ordinance will go into effect 30 days after its publication date on January 18th, 2023. "This ordinance applies to all (City of Frankfort) residential Zoning Districts, excluding hotels, motels, and unites rented for less than 2 weeks per calendar year." (i) Under the City of Frankfort Short-Term Rental Ordinance all Short-Term Rentals (STRs) must be "registered with and permitted by the City prior to the commencement of any short-term rental activity."(ii) Under the Ordinance the City of Frankfort also has "the right to limit the number of STR permits to 120 STR units per calendar year" and the "number of STR united operated by a single Owner shall be limited to two (2) after December 31st, 2022." Owners operated three (3) STRs prior to December 31st, 2022 shall be grandfathered under this ordinance until the ownership of the property changes hands or operates as a conventional residential dwelling or long-term rental. (iii)
All STRs are held to additional standards, including providing a copy of the City of Frankfort Good Neighbor Guide to the occupants of the STR unit (iv), which can be found in the City of Frankfort Short-Term Rental Ordinance. To receive a permit by the City Frankfort, prospective STR owners will need to complete the City of Frankfort STR Registration Form. A permit will need to be received from the City of Frankfort before a STR can begin operation.
i. Page 5, Section 7404 E of the City of Frankfort Short-Term Rental Ordinance
ii. Page 4, Section 7404 B of the City of Frankfort Short-Term Rental Ordinance
iii. Page 4, Section 7404 C of the City of Frankfort Short-Term Rental Ordinance
iv. Page 4, Section 7404 D 7 of the City of Frankfort Short-Term Rental Ordinance
For more information and to view all City of Frankfort Short-Term Rental documents go to the City of Frankfort website
Villages
The Village of Benzonia, as of May 2nd, 2022, passed and enacted a Short Term Rental Ordinance (Ordinance 2022-01). The Village of Benzonia Short Term Rental Ordinance requires that "prior to establishing a short-term rental operation, the property owner shall obtain a written short-term rental permit from the Village Zoning Administrator."(i) To receive a short-term rental permit applicants must file a Short Term Rental Application Form/permit application to conduct a short term rental operation including a $200 bi-annual permit fee and $50 initial application. "The number of permits available for short term rentals in the Village (Benzonia) shall not exceed 20."(ii)
I. Section 4.2, Page 3 of Ordinance 2022-01
ii. Section 4.3D, Page 4 of Ordinance 2022-01
For more information and full details of the Village of Benzonia Short Term Rental policy view the Village of Benzonia Short Term Rental Ordinance (Ordinance 2022-01), the Village of Benzonia Short Term Rental Application Form, and the Village of Benzonia Short Term Rental Good Neighbor Guidelines.
The Village of Beulah Zoning Ordinance permits the renting of rooms within single-dwellings (R-1),(i) the One and Two Family Residential District (R-2),(ii) and Multi-Family Residential District (MF)(iii) subject to conditions being met as found by the Village of Beulah Zoning Administrator and the proposed use satisfies all of the District Development Regulations of Village of Beulah Zoning Ordinance.
i. Article 5, Section 5.1, Page 18 of the Village of Beulah Zoning Ordinance
ii. Article 5, Section 5.2, Page 20 of the Village of Beulah Zoning Ordinance
iii. Article 5, Section 5.4, Page 23 of the Village of Beulah Zoning Ordinance
For more information visit the Village of Beulah website
In the Village of Elberta Zoning Ordinance, Bed and Breakfasts are permitted under a special use permit in the R-1 Residential District.(i) Bed and Breakfasts are defined as “a use which is subordinate to the principal use of a dwelling unit as a single-family dwelling unit and a use in which transient guests are provided a sleeping room and breakfast in return for payment.”(ii)
i. Article 11, Section 11.03, Page 31 of the Village of Elberta Zoning Ordinance
ii. Article 2, Section 2.02, Page 2 of the Village of Elberta Zoning Ordinance
For more information visit the Village of Elberta website
The Village of Honor does not currently have an active link to their Zoning Ordinance on the Village of Honor website.
As of February 13th, 2024, the Village of Lake Ann passed a Short-Term Rental Ordinance. The Village of Lake Ann Short-Term Rental Ordinance defines short-term rentals as "a dwelling unit in which guests (transient) are provided lodging for a period less than 30 days in return for payment and which the dwelling is not occupied by the owner/caretaker in any way.”(i) Separately the Village of Lake Ann Short-Term Rental Ordinance defines a Tourist Home/Bed & Breakfast as “a residential dwelling unit lawfully established under the Village of Lake Ann Zoning Ordinance and meeting all requirements of the Zoning Ordinance, which is owner occupied and used or designed as a home business in such a manner that certain rooms, in excess of those used by the owner, are rented to the transient public for compensation for a period of less than thirty (30) days.”(ii) An accessory building, as defined in the Village of Lake Ann Zoning Ordinance(iii) shall not be eligible for a short-term rental license under this ordinance.
A short-term rental license is required "of any dwelling unit located anywhere within the Village (of Lake Ann)" that shall be rented "or allow to be rented, a dwelling unit or a portion thereof to another person for less than 30 nights at a time, unless the owner or the owner’s authorized agent has obtained a short-term rental license for that dwelling unit in accordance with the requirements of this ordinance (Village of Lake Ann Short-Term Rental Ordinance)."(iv) A short-term rental license may be applied for beginning no sooner than October 1st for the upcoming calendar year. It will be valid for 1 year or until a change in ownership, expiring on December 31st of each calendar year.(v) The annual Village of Lake Ann Short-Term Rental License fee is $500.(vi)
i. Page 1, Section 1.01, g of the Village of Lake Ann Short-Term Rental Ordinance
ii. Page 1, Section 1.01, i of the Village of Lake Ann Short-Term Rental Ordinance
iii. Page 9, Article III of the Village of Lake Ann Zoning Ordinance
iv. Page 2, Section 2.01 of the Village of Lake Ann Short-Term Rental Ordinance
v. Page 2, Section 2.01 of the Village of Lake Ann Short-Term Rental Ordinance
vi. Village of Lake Ann, Short Term Rental Fee Schedule
Additional guidelines, information, and supplemental materials for the Village of Lake Ann Short-Term Rental Ordinance can be found under the Short Term Rentals (STR) section of the Village of Lake Ann's Forms and Documents webpage.
The Greater Thompsonville Area Zoning Ordinance, which includes the Village of Thompsonville, Colfax Township and Weldon Township permits Bed and Breakfasts by right in the Resource Conservation Districts (RC-1 and RC-2) and the Rural Residential Districts (RR-1 and RR-2). Bed and Breakfasts are also permitted by Special Land Use Permit in the Low, Medium, and High-Density Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, and R-3).(i) Bed and Breakfast standards are outlined in Section 8.3.(ii) These stipulations are outlined in Table 4-2, Page 25 of the Greater Thompsonville Area Zoning Ordinance.
i. Article 4, Table 4-2, Page 25 of the Greater Thompsonville Area Zoning Ordinance
ii. Article 8, Section 8.3, Page 39 of the Greater Thompsonville Area Zoning Ordinance
For more information view contact information for the Village of Thompsonville via the Benzie County Directory
Townships
The Almira Township Zoning Ordinance permits Short-term Rentals which they define as a “non-owner-occupied, used as a Home Business, renting to the transient public for compensation for a period of less than thirty (30) days, when not a hotel, motel, resort, boarding house, tourist home/bed & breakfast, multiple family dwelling, or lodging or rooming house.”(i) Short-term Rentals are permitted “in any zoning district in which single-family dwellings are permitted, subject to Planning Commission approval per Article 7: Site Plan Review. Off-street parking shall be provided for all clients. Short-term rentals are subject to Section 4.11.E”.(ii) Section 4.11.E subjects any short-term rental to inspections, revisions, terminations, and extensions as determined by the Almira Township Zoning Administrator.(iii) Article 7: Site Plan Review can be found on pages 68-74 of the Almira Township Zoning Ordinance.
i. Article 3-14, Page 18 of the Almira Township Zoning Ordinance
ii. Article 4, Section 4.11.C, Page 30 of the Almira Township Zoning Ordinance
iii. Article 4, Section 4.11.E, Page 31 of the Almira Township Zoning Ordinance
For more information visit the Almira Township website
The Zoning Ordinance of the West Benzie Joint Planning Commission, which includes Benzonia Township and Platte Township allows Bed and Breakfasts as a permitted Special Land Use in the Lakeshore Residential (R-1) District,(i) Single Family Residential (R-2) District,(ii) Rural Residential (R-3) District,(iii) Multi-Family Residential (R-4) District,(iv) and the Recreational/Residential (R-5) District.(v) Bed and Breakfast Establishment is defined in the Zoning Ordinance of the West Benzie Joint Planning Commission as: “A single-family, owner-occupied dwelling unit in which transient guests are provided a sleeping room and board for compensation as an accessory use of the single-family dwelling. A continental or American breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner may be served to overnight guests only. A bed and breakfast operation has four (4) or less sleeping rooms available for transient occupancy, including sleeping rooms occupied by the innkeeper and his/her family.”(vi) The supplemental regulations for a Bed and Breakfast Establishment can be found under Article 16, Section 16.3 of the Zoning Ordinance of the West Benzie Joint Planning Commission.
i. Article 5, Section 5.4 of the Benzonia Township Zoning Ordinance
ii. Article 6, Section 6.4 of the Benzonia Township Zoning Ordinance
iii. Article 7, Section 7.4 of the Benzonia Township Zoning Ordinance
iv. Article 8, Section 8.4 of the Benzonia Township Zoning Ordinance
v. Article 9, Section 9.4 of the Benzonia Township Zoning Ordinance
vi. Article 2, Section 2.2, Page 3 of the Benzonia Township Zoning Ordinance
For more information visit the Benzonia Township website
Blaine Township does not have a Zoning Ordinance or a website.
For more information view contact information for Blaine Township via the Benzie County directory
The Greater Thompsonville Area Zoning Ordinance, which includes the Village of Thompsonville, Colfax Township and Weldon Township permits Bed and Breakfasts by right in the Resource Conservation Districts (RC-1 and RC-2) and the Rural Residential Districts (RR-1 and RR-2). Bed and Breakfasts are also permitted by Special Land Use Permit in the Low, Medium, and High-Density Residential (R-1, R-2, and R-3) Districts.(i) Bed and Breakfast standards are outlined in Section 8.3.(ii) These stipulations are outlined in Table 4-2, Page 25 of the Greater Thompsonville Area Zoning Ordinance. Bed and Breakfasts are defined as "A structure which was constructed for single-family residential purposes but which may be used for the purpose of renting bedrooms on a nightly basis, including the provision of bathing and lavatory facilities and a breakfast meal for overnight guests only, and occupied by the owner."(iii)
i. Article 4, Table 4-2, Page 25 of the Greater Thompsonville Area Zoning Ordinance
ii. Article 8, Section 8.3, Page 39 of the Greater Thompsonville Area Zoning Ordinance
iii. Article 19, Section 19.2, Page 112 of the Greater Thompsonville Area Zoning Ordinance
For more information visit the Colfax Township website
The Crystal Lake Township Zoning Ordinance allows Bed and Breakfasts as a permitted Special Land Use in the Lakeshore Residential (R-1) District,(i) Single Family Residential (R-2) District,(ii) Rural Residential (R-3) District,(iii) and the Recreational/Residential (R-5) District.(iv) Multi-Family Residential District (R-4) are permitted by Principal Use, or By Right, to Rooming Houses but this term Rooming House is not defined in the Crystal Lake Township Zoning Ordinance.(v) Bed and Breakfast Establishment is defined in the Crystal Lake Township Zoning Ordinance as: “A single-family, owner-occupied dwelling unit in which transient guests are provided a sleeping room and board for compensation as an accessory use of the single-family dwelling. A continental or American breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner may be served to overnight guests only. A bed and breakfast operation has four (4) or less sleeping rooms available for transient occupancy, including sleeping rooms occupied by the innkeeper and his/her family.”(vi) The supplemental regulations for a Bed and Breakfast Establishment can be found under Article 16, Section 16.3 of the Crystal Lake Township Zoning Ordinance. Crystal Lake Township has also created a one page short term rental summary as a FAQ on their current short term policy or lack there of.
i. Article 5, Section 5.3 of the Crystal Lake Township Zoning Ordinance
ii. Article 6, Section 6.3 of the Crystal Lake Township Zoning Ordinance
iii. Article 7, Section 7.3 of the Crystal Lake Township Zoning Ordinance
iv. Article 9, Section 9.4 of the Crystal Lake Township Zoning Ordinance
v. Article 8, Section 8.1 of the Crystal Lake Township Zoning Ordinance
vi. Article 2, Page 3 of the Crystal Lake Township Zoning Ordinance
For more information visit the Crystal Lake Township website
Gilmore Township does not have a Zoning Ordinance available online.
For more information view contact information for Gilmore Township via the Benzie County Directory
The Homestead Township Zoning Ordinance permits short-term rentals in “any zoning district in which single-family dwellings are permitted, subject to Planning Commission approval per Article 13, Site Plan Review.”(i) The list of all zoning districts that permit Short-term rentals subject to Planning Commission approval per Article 13, Site Plan Review include Forest Residential (FR),(ii) Rural Residential (RR),(iii) Single Family Residential (R-1),(iv) Mixed Residential (MR).(v) The Site Plan Review and Approval process can be found in Article 13 of the Homestead Township Zoning Ordinance. The application for a Site Plan Review can be found HERE.
i. Article 3, Section 3.13, Page 13-15 of the Homestead Township Zoning Ordinance
ii. Article 5, Section 5.2, Page 82 of the Homestead Township Zoning Ordinance
iii. Article 6, Section 6.2, Page 87 of the Homestead Township Zoning Ordinance
iv. Article 7, Section 7.2, Page 92 of the Homestead Township Zoning Ordinance
v. Article 8, Section 8.2, Page 97 of the Homestead Township Zoning Ordinance
For more information visit the Homestead Township website
The Inland Township Zoning Ordinance permits Short Term rentals subject to Planning Commission approval per Article 13, Site Plan Review of the Inland Township Zoning Ordinance(i) in the zoning districts of Forest Residential (FR),(ii) Rural Residential (RR),(iii) Single Family Residential (R-1),(iv) and Mixed Residential (MR).(v) The Site Plan Review and Approval process can be found in Article 13 of the Inland Township Zoning Ordinance. The application for a Site Plan Review can be found HERE.
i. Article 3, Section 3.13, Page 12-15 of the Inland Township Zoning Ordinance
ii. Article 5, Section 5.2, Page 3 of the Inland Township Zoning Ordinance
iii. Article 6, Section 6.2, Page 3 of the Inland Township Zoning Ordinance
iv. Article 7, Section 7.2, Page 3 of the Inland Township Zoning Ordinance
v. Article 8, Section 8.2, Page 3 of the Inland Township Zoning Ordinance
For more information visit the Inland Township website
The Joyfield Township Zoning Ordinance permits Bed and Breakfasts in the B and C character sub-zones of the residential zoning district.(i) Bed and Breakfasts are defined in the Joyfield Township Zoning Ordinance as “a home occupation in an owner-occupied or resident manager occupied dwelling unit wherein up to eight (8) bedrooms are used for transient guests and for compensation and by pre-arrangement.”(ii) Bed and Breakfasts are required to meet the parking requirements described in Article 9.1, Page 91-93.
i. Article 4.8, Page 32 of the Joyfield Township Zoning Ordinance
ii. Article 2.2, Page 9 of the Joyfield Township Zoning Ordinance
For more information view contact information for Joyfield Township via the Benzie County Directory
The Lake Township Zoning Ordinance permits Short Term Rentals with the approval of the Site Plan in the zoning districts of Lakeshore Residential (L/R) District,(i) Residential-Single Family (R-1) District,(ii) Rural Residential (R-2) District,(iii) Commercial Resort (CR) District,(iv) Commercial General (C-1) District.(v) The terms which all Short Term Rentals are subject to can be found in Article 3, Section 3.27.E, Page 19-22 of the Lake Township Zoning Ordinance.
i. Article 5, Section 5.3, Page 1 of the Lake Township Zoning Ordinance
ii. Article 6, Section 6.3, Page 1 of the Lake Township Zoning Ordinance
iii. Article 7, Section 7.3, Page 1 of the Lake Township Zoning Ordinance
iv. Article 8, Section 8.3, Page 1 of the Lake Township Zoning Ordinance
v. Article 9, Section 9.3, Page 1 of the Lake Township Zoning Ordinance
For more information visit the Lake Township website
The Zoning Ordinance of the West Benzie Joint Planning Commission, which includes Benzonia Township and Platte Township allows Bed and Breakfasts as a permitted Special Land Use in the Lakeshore Residential (R-1) District,(i) Single Family Residential (R-2) District,(ii) Rural Residential (R-3) District,(iii) Multi-Family Residential (R-4) District,(iv) and the Recreational/Residential (R-5) District.(v) Bed and Breakfast Establishment is defined in the Zoning Ordinance of the West Benzie Joint Planning Commission as: “A single-family, owner-occupied dwelling unit in which transient guests are provided a sleeping room and board for compensation as an accessory use of the single-family dwelling. A continental or American breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner may be served to overnight guests only. A bed and breakfast operation has four (4) or less sleeping rooms available for transient occupancy, including sleeping rooms occupied by the innkeeper and his/her family.”(vi) The supplemental regulations for a Bed and Breakfast Establishment can be found under Article 16, Section 16.3 of the Zoning Ordinance of the West Benzie Joint Planning Commission.
i. Article 5, Section 5.4 of the Benzonia Township Zoning Ordinance
ii. Article 6, Section 6.4 of the Benzonia Township Zoning Ordinance
iii. Article 7, Section 7.4 of the Benzonia Township Zoning Ordinance
iv. Article 8, Section 8.4 of the Benzonia Township Zoning Ordinance
v. Article 9, Section 9.4 of the Benzonia Township Zoning Ordinance
vi. Article 2, Section 2.2, Page 3 of the Benzonia Township Zoning Ordinance
For more information visit the Benzonia Township website
The Greater Thompsonville Area Zoning Ordinance, which includes the Village of Thompsonville, Colfax Township and Weldon Township permits Bed and Breakfasts by right in the Resource Conservation Districts (RC-1 and RC-2) and the Rural Residential Districts (RR-1 and RR-2). Bed and Breakfasts are also permitted by Special Land Use Permit in the Low, Medium, and High-Density Residential Districts (R-1, R-2, and R-3).(i) Bed and Breakfast standards are outlined in Section 8.3.(ii) These stipulations are outlined in Table 4-2, Page 25 of the Greater Thompsonville Area Zoning Ordinance.
i. Article 4, Table 4-2, Page 25 of the Greater Thompsonville Area Zoning Ordinance
ii. Article 8, Section 8.3, Page 39 of the Greater Thompsonville Area Zoning Ordinance
For more information visit the Weldon Township website
