Short-Term Rental Policies in Leelanau County

The Village of Northport Short-Term Rental Ordinance requires that any dwelling unit within the Village of Northport renting “for a period of less than twenty-one (21) days” first needs to register their unit with the Village of Northport. Registration forms need to be submitted to the Administrative Coordinator for the Village of Northport. A Dwelling Unit is defined as “a single-family residence, residential condominium unit, duplex, or apartment(s) in a commercial building, providing complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, eating, cooking, sanitation, and a separate bedroom(s) for sleeping.” A Short-Term Rental is defined as “means to permit, provide for, or offer possession or occupancy of a dwelling unit - in which the owner does not then reside for a period of less than twenty-one (21) days to a person who is not the legal owner of record thereof, pursuant to a written or unwritten lease, agreement or license.” Additional details can be found in the Village of Northport Short-Term Rental Ordinance.

For more information visit the Village of Northport website

The Village of Suttons Bay Short-Term Rental Ordinance requires that any dwelling unit or efficiency dwelling unit within the Village of Suttons Bay must first be registered and obtain a license. The standards for approval of a short-term rental license are listed in Section 4, Page 2-4 of the Village of Suttons Bay Short Term Rental Ordinance. The Village of Suttons Bay Short Term Rental Ordinance defines “Rent” or “Rental” as “to permit, provide for, or offer possession or occupancy of a dwelling unit for commercial use for a period of less than thirty (30) consecutive days in exchange for consideration.”(i)  Additional details can be found in the Village of Suttons Bay Short-Term Rental Ordinance.

i. Section 1, Page 1 of the Village of Suttons Bay Short Term Rental Ordinance

For more information visit the Village of Suttons Bay website

The Centerville Township Zoning Ordinance permits Bed and Breakfasts in the Residential I District(i) and the Residential II District(ii) with a Special Land Use permitted by special approval. Bed and Breakfasts are defined as “an owner-occupied single-family dwelling with bedrooms available for guest use for compensation and by pre-arrangement.”(iii) The Centerville Township Zoning Ordinance also defines Tourist Homes as “primarily a family dwelling where lodging with or without meals is furnished for compensation, chiefly on an overnight basis and mainly to transients.”(iv) However, it does not appear to list Tourist Homes as a use under any zoning districts. 

i. Article 5, Section 5.2B, Page 62 of the Centerville Township Zoning Ordinance

ii. Article 5, Section 5.3B, Page 63 of the Centerville Township Zoning Ordinance

iii. Article 2, Section 2.2, Page 8 of the Centerville Township Zoning Ordinance

iv. Article 2, Section 2.2, Page 15 of the Centerville Township Zoning Ordinance

For more information visit the Centerville Township website

The Cleveland Township Zoning Ordinance defines Bed and Breakfasts as “primarily a family dwelling where lodging with or without meals is furnished on a paying basis to three or more persons who are not members of the family occupying and operating the premises.”(i) The Cleveland Township Zoning Ordinance also defines Tourist Homes as “primarily a family dwelling where lodging with or without meals is furnished for compensation chiefly on an overnight basis and mainly to transients but not necessarily to anyone who may apply.”(ii) The Cleveland Township Zoning Ordinance lists Home Occupations as a permitted use in the Residential I, Residential II, and Residential III Districts(iii) although it does not specifically define Bed and Breakfasts or Tourist Homes as a Home Occupation.

i. Article 3, Section 3.06, Page 8 of the Cleveland Township Zoning Ordinance

ii. Article 3, Section 3.70, Page 15 of the Cleveland Township Zoning Ordinance

iii. Article 5, Section 5.02 - 5.04, Page 75 of the Cleveland Township Zoning Ordinance

For more information visit the Cleveland Township website

On September 30th, 2021 the Elmwood Township Board approved two Ordinances (Zoning Ordinance and Short Term Rental Licensing Ordinance)  which allows 93 short term rentals with a license in the Township. STR License application will be accepted starting on Monday, November 8th, 2021. The STR Fee for this round of licensing will be $600 for each license application.

The Charter Township of Elmwood Zoning Ordinance also permits Bed and Breakfasts in the Agricultural-Rural (A-R) Zoning District, Residential (R-1) Zoning District, Residential (R-2) Zoning District, and the Residential (R-3) Zoning District(i) with Zoning Administrator approval. Bed and Breakfasts are defined as “a single-family residential structure that has no more than four (4) sleeping rooms, including sleeping rooms occupied by the owner, one (1) or more of which are available for rent to transient tenants, and where one (1) or more meals may be provided daily to its transient tenants.”(ii)

i. Article 5, Section 5.4, Page 55 of the Charter Township of Elmwood Zoning Ordinance

ii. Article 2, Section 2.2, Page 11 of the Charter Township of Elmwood Zoning Ordinance

For more information visit the Elmwood Charter Township website

The Empire Township Zoning Ordinance defines Short Term Rentals as including “single-family dwelling units that are rented to individuals for a fee” and for a length of time of “between one (1) day and twenty-one (21) days”.(i) The full terms of a Short Term Rental in the Empire Township Zoning Ordinance are listed in Article 5, Section 5.10.

i. Article 5, Section 5.10, Page 81 of the Empire Township Zoning Ordinance

For more information visit the Empire Township website

The Glen Arbor Township Zoning Ordinance permits Home Occupations by right, which in the Glen Arbor Township Zoning Ordinance includes Bed & Breakfasts(i) in the Residential I District, Residential II District, Residential III District, Residential IV District, Residential V District, Residential VI District,(ii) Resort District,(iii) Recreational District,(iv) and the Agricultural District.(v) Bed and Breakfasts are defined as “an owner-occupied and managed dwelling wherein a maximum of three (3) bedrooms are available for guest use for compensation and by pre-arrangement. (See also Home Occupation.) A Continental Breakfast may be served.”(vi)

i. Article 2, Section 2.2, Page 9 of the Glen Arbor Township Zoning Ordinance

ii. Article 5, Pages 35-36 of the Glen Arbor Township Zoning Ordinance

iii. Article 6, Section 6.1, Page 37 of the Glen Arbor Township Zoning Ordinance

iv. Article 7, Section 7.1.1 of the Glen Arbor Township Zoning Ordinance

v. Article 9, Section 9.1, Page 41 of the Glen Arbor Township Zoning Ordinance

vi. Article 2, Section 2.2, Page 7 of the Glen Arbor Township Zoning Ordinance

For more information visit the Glen Arbor Township website

The Kasson Township Zoning Ordinance permits Bed and Breakfasts/Tourist Homes in the Agricultural (AG) District(i) and the Forested (FR) District(ii) with a Special Use Permit in accordance with Chapter 7.(iii) Bed and Breakfasts/Tourist Homes are defined as “a use which is subordinate to the principal use of a dwelling as a single-family dwelling unit and in which transient guests do not stay more than seven (7) consecutive days and are provided a sleeping room and board in return for payment.”(iv)

i. Chapter 4, Section 4.5.2A, Page 26 of the Kasson Township Zoning Ordinance

ii. Chapter 4, Section 4.7.2, Page 35 of the Kasson Township Zoning Ordinance

iii. Chapter 7, Page 82-90 of the Kasson Township Zoning Ordinance

iv. Chapter 2, Section 2.2, Page 11 of the Kasson Township Zoning Ordinance

For more information visit the Kasson Township website

The Leelanau Township Short-Term Rental Ordinance passed on September 8th, 2020 - with enforcement beginning on January 1st, 2021 - by the Leelanau Township Board of Directors “applies only to the rental of an entire dwelling unit on a short-term basis.”(i) The Leelanau Township Short Term Rental Ordinance defines a Short Term Rental as “the renting or leasing of a dwelling unit for a period of time less than thirty (30) consecutive calendar days.”(ii) Operating Short Term Rentals will need an annual Short-Term Rental Permit which includes a one-time $200 fee. If you are interested in a Short-Term Rental Permit contact the Leelanau Township Zoning Administrator. “Renewal Permits for subsequent years may be applied for starting on October 1 of the current year.”(iii)

i. Section 2B, Page 1 of the Leelanau Township Short-Term Rental Ordinance

ii. Section 3, Page 3 of the Leelanau Township Short-Term Rental Ordinance

iii. Item 7, Page 1 of the Resolution of Short Term Rental Policies

For more information visit the Leelanau Township website

The Leland Township Zoning Ordinance permits by right Short-Term Rentals in the Fishtown Historic (C-4) District.(i) The Leland Township Zoning Ordinance also permits Bed and Breakfasts in the Agricultural Conservation (AC) District,(ii) Low-Density Agricultural-Residential (AR) District,(iii) Medium Density Lakeshore Residential (R-1A) District,(iv) Medium Density Inland Residential (R-1B) District,(v) Medium Density Village Residential (R-2) District,(vi) High-Density Residential (R-3) District(vii) with a Special Land Use Permit by special approval. 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 to tourists, including the provision of bathing and lavatory facilities and a breakfast meal, provided that certain zoning requirements are met.”(viii)

i. Article 12, Section 12.04C, Page 75 of the Leland Township Zoning Ordinance

ii. Article 10, Section 10.01C, Page 61 of the Leland Township Zoning Ordinance

iii. Article 11, Section 11.01C, Page 64 of the Leland Township Zoning Ordinance

iv. Article 11, Section 11.02C, Page 66 of the Leland Township Zoning Ordinance

v. Article 11, Section 11.03C, Page 67 of the Leland Township Zoning Ordinance

vi. Article 11, Section 11.04C, Page 68 of the Leland Township Zoning Ordinance

vii. Article 11, Section 11.05C, Page 69 of the Leland Township Zoning Ordinance

viii. Article 2, Section 2.02, Page 10 of the Leland Township Zoning Ordinance

For more information visit the Leland Township website

The Solon Township Zoning Ordinance permits Bed and Breakfasts in the Agricultural Conservation (A/C) District,(i) Residential (R-1) District 1,(ii) and Residential (R-2) District 2(iii) with a Special Land Use Permit. Bed and Breakfasts are defined as “any family occupied dwelling used or designed in such a manner that certain rooms in excess of those used by the family are rented to the transient public for compensation.”(iv)

i. Article 5, Section 5.03, Page 38 of the Solon Township Zoning Ordinance

ii. Article 7, Section 7.03, Page 42 of the Solon Township Zoning Ordinance

iii. Article 8, Section 8.03, Page 43 of the Solon Township Zoning Ordinance

iv. Article 2, Section 2.02, Page 10 of the Solon Township Zoning Ordinance

For more information visit the Solon Township website

The Suttons Bay Township Short-Term Rental Ordinance allows one dwelling unit per parcel to be used as Short Term Rental property with a limit of one-hundred-fifty Short-Term Rental Permits per calendar year with no restriction on the number of units operated by a single individual. The Short Term Rental permit requirements apply only to the Residential Districts. Short Term Rentals are defined as “the commercial use of renting a dwelling unit for a period of time less than thirty (30) consecutive calendar days. Short Term Rental does not include a bed and breakfast permitted and operated in accordance with the Suttons Bay Township Zoning Ordinance.”(i) Additional details can be found in the Suttons Bay Township Short-Term Rental Ordinance. The Suttons Bay Township Zoning Ordinance permits Bed and Breakfasts in the Agricultural District(ii) and the Residential District(iii) with conditions.(iv) Bed and Breakfasts are defined as “a single-family dwelling with no more than three bedrooms available for guest use for compensation and by prearrangement, having no external evidence that rooms are available.”(v)

i. Page 2 of the Suttons Bay Township Short Term Rental Ordinance

ii. Article 4, Section 4.3C, Page 65 of the Suttons Bay Township Zoning Ordinance

iii. Article 5, Section 5.3E, Page 93 of the Suttons Bay Township Zoning Ordinance

iv. Conditions listed in Article 14, Section 14.3, Page 115 of the Suttons Bay Township Zoning Ordinance

v. Article 2, Section 2.2, Page 14 of the Suttons Bay Township Zoning Ordinance

For more information visit the Suttons Bay Township website