Note on scope and sources:

• City of Auburn Hills is in Oakland County, Michigan. The source content does not include a city- or county-level short‑term rental–specific ordinance. The most relevant local program is Auburn Hills’ Rental Home Registration and Permit Program (Ordinance 18‑901).
• See References at the end for source links and document PDFs.

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Auburn Hills?

Yes. Short-term rentals appear allowed under Auburn Hills’ Rental Home Registration and Permit Program. The City does not publish a separate STR‑specific ordinance in the sources provided. Under Ordinance 18‑901, any detached one‑family home that is not owner‑occupied and is rented or offered for rent must be registered, undergo a self‑certification inspection (or city inspection for a fee), obtain a permit to occupy, and comply annually thereafter. This framework applies regardless of stay length, meaning that a typical “Airbnb/Vrbo” whole‑home rental qualifies as a “rental home” subject to the City’s program.

If a property is owner‑occupied and you rent rooms within that home, the City treats this as a rental home and requires the same registration and permit. If the home is owner‑occupied and you do not rent to any third party, the rental registration does not apply.

Oakland County sources are silent on STR‑specific rules. On the state level, Michigan does not ban short‑term rentals. Hosts must follow local zoning and safety codes, and some Michigan cities (e.g., Detroit, Ann Arbor) have their own STR licensing, but Auburn Hills does not. Michigan also imposes a 6% sales tax on transient accommodations and a separate 5% Michigan excise tax, which must be remitted by the lodging provider (not the guest).

Important: Because STR rules evolve, confirm any new or updated local requirements with the City prior to listing (see Contacts below).

How to Start an STR Business in Auburn Hills

1. Confirm zoning and legal use

• Auburn Hills’ program treats detached one‑family homes not owner‑occupied as “rental homes” requiring registration and a permit. Owner‑occupied rentals of rooms also require registration.
• Verify zoning and any HOA/condo restrictions before investing.

2. Align insurance coverage

• Standard homeowners or landlord policies often exclude short‑term rental risks. Consider specialized short‑term rental insurance to address liability, property, and income protections. Confirm coverage while the unit is vacant, during personal use, and when paying guests are present.
• Obtain a certificate of insurance (COI) if required by your platform or property manager.

3. Prepare for registration and permitting

• Register the property with the Community Development Department (see Required Documents and Fees below).
• Complete the self‑certification inspection or request a city interior inspection.
• Obtain the permit to occupy and keep your registration current each year.

4. Set up tax compliance

• 6% Michigan sales tax on transient accommodations and a separate 5% Michigan excise tax must be collected and remitted by the provider of lodging.
• Register with the Michigan Department of Treasury (if not already required) and set up remittance processes.
• Monitor whether any local lodging taxes apply (Oakland County is not shown as having a separate tax in the sources).

5. Prepare the unit and listing

• Equip with essential safety amenities (e.g., smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, heating) and follow health, building, fire, and zoning codes.
• Publish clear house rules, maximum occupancy, parking standards, and quiet hours.
• Maintain compliance with exterior property maintenance and annual audit requirements.

6. Ongoing compliance

• Renew registration and permit annually by December 31 (see Fee Table).
• Re‑certify self‑inspection and obtain a new permit to occupy for tenant changeovers, and within 30 days of a sale or transfer.
• File annual exterior audit access and respond promptly to any code issues.

7. Consider professional guidance

• Consult Auburn Hills Community Development, a local attorney familiar with Michigan lodging, and an insurance broker specializing in STRs.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Under City of Auburn Hills Ordinance 18‑901 (Rental Home Registration and Permit Program):

• Rental Home Registration Form (owner and managing agent details; driver’s license or State ID numbers for each; no PO boxes; signatures of all owners/agents).
• Permit to Occupy application (requires accompanying self‑certification inspection).
• Self‑Certification Inspection Checklist (owner, owner’s representative, or certified home inspector certifies health/safety, building, fire, and zoning compliance).
  • Alternatively, request a City interior inspection for $155 in lieu of self‑certification.
• Penalty for failure to register/renew: $100 for first offense. Non‑compliance may also result in municipal civil infractions, additional fines, and potential court action.
• Permit suspension: The City may suspend the permit to occupy if the home is not maintained to code or if the owner is in violation of the ordinance. Life‑safety violations require immediate compliance without prior notice.

Fee Table (Ordinance 18‑901):

• Registration: $200 (due annually and upon initial registration; changes in tenant; ownership transfers).
• Permit to Occupy: $50 (due annually; required with self‑certification; due upon initial registration, tenant changeovers, and ownership transfers).
• City Interior Inspection (optional, at owner’s request): $155.
• Total annual fee (registration + permit to occupy): $250.
• Initial offense penalty for failure to register/renew: $100.

Notes:

• Registration and permit to occupy are due by December 31 annually.
• New owners have 30 days from sale/transfer/conveyance to obtain new registration and permit to occupy.
• A new permit to occupy is required at each tenant changeover.

City, County, and State Regulations

• Auburn Hills: No separate STR‑specific ordinance was identified in the sources. The city’s Rental Home Registration and Permit Program governs detached one‑family rentals, including STRs (see above).
• Oakland County: The provided sources do not include county-level STR regulations or permits.
• Michigan (state): No statewide prohibition on STRs. Hosts must follow local zoning and safety codes. In some Michigan cities (e.g., Detroit, Ann Arbor), STRs are regulated separately, but Auburn Hills appears to rely on the general rental home framework.
• Taxes: Providers of transient lodging must collect and remit Michigan’s 6% sales tax and a separate 5% Michigan excise tax. Some municipalities may also impose local lodging taxes; confirm for Auburn Hills/Oakland County.
• Recommended: Review the Michigan short‑term rental regulations index to stay aware of state‑level developments and to monitor any nearby jurisdictions (e.g., Detroit, Ann Arbor) that may have adopted additional rules.

Contacts – Local Authority for Rental Home Registration/Permits

City of Auburn Hills – Community Development Department

• Address: 1827 N. Squirrel Road, Auburn Hills, MI 48326
• Phone: 248‑364‑6900
• Fax: 248‑364‑6939
• Website: www.auburnhills.org
• Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Direct Contacts (Code Enforcement):

• Jack Skinner, Code Enforcement Officer – Phone: 248‑364‑6948 – Email: jskinner@auburnhills.org
• Chris Myers, Code Enforcement Officer – Phone: 248‑364‑6934 – Email: cmyers@auburnhills.org
• Jeff Spencer, Building Official – Phone: 248‑364‑6940 – Email: jspencer@auburnhills.org

Links to Source Pages (if available)

• Auburn Hills Airbnb Market Analysis 2025 – AirROI (market context; states low regulation level; lists Michigan cities with STR rules)
  www.airroi.com/report/world/united-states/michigan/auburn-hills

• Short-Term Rental Laws and Regulations by State – Proper Insurance (Michigan section lists cities with STR ordinances; used for state‑level context)
  www.proper.insure/regulations/page/4/

• City of Auburn Hills – Rental Home Registration and Permit Program FAQ (Ordinance 18‑901; registration/permit requirements, fees, penalties, inspections)
  cms3.revize.com/revize/auburnhillsmi/Frequently%20Asked%20Questions%20-%20AH%20Rental%20Home%20Registration%20updated%2011.18.20.pdf

Action checklist (condensed):

• Confirm zoning and HOA/condo rules.
• Obtain STR‑appropriate insurance; verify coverage during occupancy and vacancy.
• Register the property and obtain the permit to occupy ($250 total; $200 registration + $50 permit; due annually by Dec 31).
• Complete self‑certification inspection or pay $155 for a city interior inspection.
• Collect and remit Michigan 6% sales tax and 5% excise tax on transient lodging; register with the Department of Treasury as required.
• Maintain safety equipment and compliance; grant annual exterior audit access.
• Re‑certify and get a new permit to occupy at tenant changeovers; within 30 days of ownership transfer.
• Keep this guide handy and monitor City/state updates via the references.