Grand Haven, Michigan Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Executive Summary: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed?

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Grand Haven, Michigan, but with significant restrictions. The market is split between two jurisdictions: Grand Haven Charter Township and the City of Grand Haven, each with different regulatory frameworks. Short-term rentals are permitted in specific zones and require proper registration, inspections, and compliance with local ordinances. The City of Grand Haven allows approximately 350 registered short-term rental units across the city, while Grand Haven Charter Township operates under a separate overlay zone system.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Grand Haven?

Grand Haven hosts earn a median $35,369/year with $269 ADR and 58% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $49,229+ per year.

See the full Grand Haven market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business

Step 1: Determine Your Jurisdiction

First, identify whether your property falls within Grand Haven Charter Township or the City of Grand Haven. This determines your regulatory pathway, fees, and allowed zones.

Step 2: Verify Zoning Eligibility

For City of Grand Haven properties:

Confirm your property is located in an eligible zoning district:
- Southside (only properties fronting Franklin between 5th and Harbor)
- Old Town (Key Street Segments with special use approval)
- Central Business District
- Dune Residential (with special use approval)
- Waterfront-2
- Grand Landing, The Elliott on Seventh, Harbourfront Condos
- NEW: Centertown Overlay District (upper-level units only, above first-floor retail)

For Grand Haven Charter Township properties:

Property must be located within the Short-Term Rental Overlay Zone
Limited Short-Term Rentals allowed for principal residences (6-14 days, max 14 days/year)

Step 3: Complete Registration Process

Both jurisdictions require annual registration with specific forms and fees.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Grand Haven Charter Township Requirements

Registration Documents:

Annual Rental Application Form
Short-Term Rental application for overlay zone properties
Limited Short-Term Rental Notice of Intent Form (for principal residences)

Inspection Requirements:

Initial inspection required
Reinspection fees: $50 (first), $100 (second), $150 (third)
Heating system inspection required
International Property Maintenance Code compliance

Compliance Documents:

Certificate of compliance display
Ordinance adherence (parking, noise, occupancy limits)
Knox Box installation may be required

City of Grand Haven Requirements

Registration Documents:

Rental Registration Form
Certificate of Compliance
Short-Term Rental eligibility verification

Inspection Requirements:

Initial inspection included in registration fee
Annual compliance verification
Property maintenance code compliance

Mandatory Display Requirements:

Certificate of Compliance displayed inside rental property
City ordinance summary posted (trash, noise, occupancy, parking)
Maximum occupancy load limit posted

Specific Regulations

Occupancy Limits

City: Maximum occupants listed on Rental Certificate of Compliance
Township: Determined by International Property Maintenance Code
No occupancy exceeding what endangers life, health, safety, or welfare

Parking Requirements

City Requirements:

Minimum 2 paved parking spaces for short-term rentals
No parking on city streets December 1 - March 31, 2:00 AM - 6:00 AM
No parking in city lots 2:00 AM - 6:00 AM year-round (except Downtown Residential Parking Program)
Recreational vehicles/boats/trailers: maximum 5 consecutive days in front yard per 30-day period
Storage on street/front yard prohibited for more than 48 hours

Township Requirements:

Off-street parking required
Paved surface parking mandatory

Noise Ordinances

Both Jurisdictions:

No unnecessary noise that disturbs others
Musical instruments/amplified sound prohibited 9:00 PM - 7:00 AM
Street noise prohibited 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM
Vehicle sound systems: clearly audible at 50 feet (7:00 AM - 11:00 PM), 25 feet (11:00 PM - 7:00 AM)

Fire and Safety

Recreational fires allowed in contained structures 25+ feet from buildings
Wood only (no leaves, cardboard, grasses, construction materials, petroleum)
Constant attendance required until extinguished
Fireworks permitted only before/during/after approved holidays, not 1:00 AM - 8:00 AM

Fees and Costs

Grand Haven Charter Township

Short-Term Rentals: $500 annually
Long-Term Rentals: $150 (single family), multi-family $25/unit
Initial Inspection: $0
Reinspection: $50 (first), $100 (second), $150 (third)
Complaint Inspection: $50
Attorney Warning Letter: $600
Late Fees: 50% of total fees

City of Grand Haven

Short-Term Rental Registration: $165/unit annually
Long-Term Rental Registration: $115/unit annually
Initial Registration Fee: $525/unit (new rentals/ownership transfer, includes inspection)
Late Fee: $50/unit/month after February 15

Contact Information

Grand Haven Charter Township

Community Development Department

Address: 13300 168th Ave, Grand Haven, MI 49417
Phone: (616) 842-5988
Fax: (616) 842-9419
Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM, Friday 7:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Key Contacts:

Rental Clerk, Alexis Buckley: (616) 604-6344
Associate Planner/Permit Technician, Harrison Hill: (616) 604-6319
Senior Planner, Cassandra Chaphalkar: (616) 604-6340
Assistant Manager/HR Director, Karen Sherwood: (616) 604-6309
Ordinance Enforcement Officer/Rental Inspector, Eric VanderMeulen: (616) 604-6308

City of Grand Haven

Community Development Department

Address: 519 Washington Avenue, Grand Haven, MI 49417
Phone: (616) 847-3490
City Hall: (616) 842-3210
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Non-Emergency Police: (616) 842-3460 Emergency: 911

Source Links

Grand Haven Charter Township

City of Grand Haven

Recent Updates

MLive: Grand Haven approves short-term rentals in commercial district

Important Notes for Investors

Jurisdiction-Specific Rules: Ensure you understand which governing body oversees your property
Zoning Compliance: Verify eligibility before purchasing or investing
Annual Renewals: Both jurisdictions require annual registration renewal
Recent Changes: The City of Grand Haven recently approved STRs in the Centertown Overlay District (August 2025)
Limited Short-Term Rentals: Township allows principal residence exemptions with strict time limits (max 14 days/year)
Compliance Monitoring: Both jurisdictions actively enforce ordinances with potential penalties up to $1,000

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Grand Haven's STR regulatory landscape. Investors should consult directly with the appropriate jurisdiction before making investment decisions and maintain ongoing compliance to avoid penalties or certificate suspension.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Grand Haven

Grand Haven is a small coastal city in Ottawa County, Michigan, sitting on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan at the mouth of the Grand River. With a population of roughly 11,000 residents, it has long served as one of West Michigan's most beloved summer getaways, drawing visitors for its wide sandy beaches, walkable downtown, and a string of family-friendly traditions that unfold along the waterfront. The city functions as a natural gateway to the Lake Michigan shoreline between Holland and Muskegon, and it lies approximately 30 miles west of Grand Rapids, Michigan's second-largest metro area, which provides a steady supply of regional visitors and a convenient regional airport.

A centerpiece of any visit is Grand Haven State Park, a 48-acre stretch of Lake Michigan beach set just south of the channel. The park is known for its towering dunes, soft sand, and views of passing freighters, and it sits only minutes from the city's downtown core. Together with the adjoining pier and catwalk, it gives visitors an easy, walkable connection between the campground, the lighthouses, and the boardwalk.

Just offshore, the Grand Haven South Pierhead Inner and Outer Lights form one of the most photographed lighthouse scenes on the Great Lakes. The red outer light and the catwalk leading to it are a year-round draw, especially at sunset, and visitors can walk out to the pier in warmer months. The adjacent boardwalk then leads into the heart of the city, where shops, ice cream parlors, and waterfront restaurants line the way back toward town.

A short walk inland leads to the downtown district, centered on Washington Avenue and the historic Chinook Pier complex. Here, the seasonal Grand Haven Musical Fountain puts on a free, choreographed water-and-light show several nights a week through the summer, a tradition that has run for decades. The downtown itself is compact and walkable, with locally owned boutiques, breweries, and eateries clustered within a few blocks of the waterfront.

About 15 minutes south, the broader region adds even more depth: Holland State Park and the lakeside village of Saugatuck are both easy day trips, while Muskegon, to the north, offers additional beaches and Lake Michigan's shoreline parks. Grand Rapids, with its museums, breweries, and Frederick Meijer Gardens, sits just a half hour east.

For short-term rental investors, Grand Haven offers a compelling combination of strong seasonal demand, a recognizable brand built around the beach and lighthouses, and a location that pairs small-town walkability with access to a major Midwest metro area, making it a perennial favorite for family vacations, summer road-trippers, and fall color-seekers alike.