1. Overview – Are Short‑Term Rentals Permitted in Mio?

Yes. Short‑term rentals (STRs) are legally allowed in the Mio area, but they must be operated under the Oscoda County rental‑permit system and, when the property lies within Worth Township, must also obtain the township’s short‑term‑rental registration. No separate city‑level ordinance exists because Mio is an unincorporated community; the county and the township are the governing authorities.

2. Jurisdictional Map

| Jurisdiction | Role in STR Regulation | What It Regulates | |--------------|------------------------|-------------------| | Oscoda County (Building Department) | Issues the Rental Permit that covers all rental dwellings (single‑family, two‑family, multiple‑unit). | Basic rental registration, inspection, 3‑year permit validity, fee structure. | | Worth Township (if the property is located within this township) | Issues a Short‑Term Rental Property Registration and enforces local operational rules. | Safety equipment, insurance, emergency‑contact, occupancy, noise, parking, signage, burn permits, posting requirements. | | State of Michigan | Applies statewide sales‑tax and lodging‑tax requirements, building‑code, fire‑code, and health‑code compliance. | Sales‑tax registration, lodging tax, fire‑safety and building‑code compliance, health‑department inspections. |

Because Mio sits inside Oscoda County, every STR must first obtain the county rental permit. If the parcel is also inside Worth Township, the township registration is an additional, mandatory step.

3. County‑Level Requirements – Oscoda County Rental Permit

3.1. What the Permit Covers

• All rental dwellings (single‑family, two‑family, or multiple‑unit).
• Effective three (3) years from the date the building inspector signs off on the property.
• Renewal requires a new application and a new inspection (fee: $50 per unit).

3.2. Application Process

1. Obtain the application form – “Rental Permit Property Application” (PDF).
   • Source: www.oscodacountymi.com/wp-content/uploads/rental-property-permit-app.pdf
2. Complete the form, providing:
   • Property address & township
   • Owner’s name, mailing address, phone
   • Rental agent (if applicable) & contact info
   • Type of dwelling (single‑family, two‑family, multiple) & number of units
3. Submit the application together with a check for $50.00 per unit payable to Oscoda County Building Department.
4. The county will schedule an initial inspection (including one follow‑up). After the inspector’s final approval, the permit becomes active for three years.

3.3. Fees & Renewal

• Initial fee: $50 /unit (covers inspection and follow‑up).
• Renewal: Same fee every three years; must be paid prior to the renewal inspection.

3.4. Contact Information – Oscoda County Building Department

• Phone: 989‑826‑1164
• Fax: 989‑826‑1137
• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 399, Mio, MI 48647
• Website: www.oscodacountymi.com

4. Township‑Level Requirements – Worth Township Short‑Term Rental Registration

Applies only if the STR property lies within Worth Township (a common situation for many parcels near the Mio‑area lakes and forest lands).

4.1. When Registration Is Required

All dwellings offered for rentals of 30 days or fewer (i.e., short‑term rentals) must be registered with Worth Township before guests are allowed.

4.2. Application Package

The township provides a dedicated “Application for Short Term Rentals” (PDF).

• Source: worthtownshipmi.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/SHORT-TERM-RENTAL-PROPERTY-INFORMATION.pdf

Required Sections

| Section | Information Required | |---------|----------------------| | I. Property Information | Street address, average stay length, advertised max occupancy, advertised parking spaces, rental‑season months, hosting platforms, trash‑collection service, visible reflective address for emergencies | | II. Owner Information | Owner’s name, address, phone, email | | III. Local Emergency Contact / Agent | Must live within 30 miles of the rental; 24/7 phone availability; name, address, phone, email | | IV. Insurance & Taxes | Copy of short‑term‑rental insurance policy (minimum $1 M liability) and proof of current property‑tax payment | | V. Property Details | Number of bedrooms, advertised occupancy, parking spaces, whether property is owner’s principal residence | | VI. Regulatory Acknowledgments | Burn‑permit obtained, copy of STR ordinance received, compliance with safety equipment, quiet‑hours, fire‑works, pet‑leash law, parking rules, signage ban, posted floor‑plan with emergency exits |

4.3. Mandatory Safety & Operational Requirements

| Requirement | Details | |-------------|---------| | Smoke & CO Detectors | Operable smoke detector in each bedroom; CO detector on each floor. | | Fire Extinguishers | Minimum two (2) working fire extinguishers, readily accessible. | | Posted Floor‑Plan | Sketch of the dwelling showing emergency exits must be posted inside. | | Insurance | Minimum $1 M liability coverage for the STR. | | Taxes & Bills | Property taxes must be current; no outstanding township invoices/violations. | | Emergency Contact | Local representative (owner or agent) must be reachable 24/7 and reside within 30 mi. | | Noise | Quiet hours 11 pm – 7 am (Ordinance 2002‑01). | | Burn Permit | Required for any open‑fire activity (obtained from Worth Township). | | Pets | Must be leashed or otherwise secured on the property (Act 339 of 1919). | | Parking | All parking must be on owner‑owned, improved surface or garage; no parking in road right‑of‑way. | | Signage | No external signage advertising the STR is permitted. | | Trash Collection | Active trash/garbage pickup service must be documented. | | Zoning | Registration does not change zoning; the property must still comply with the Worth Township Zoning Ordinance. |

4.4. Permit Issuance & Fees

• The completed application, affidavit, and supporting documents are submitted to Worth Township.
• Upon approval, a permit number is assigned. The permit fee amount is not specified in the provided PDF; investors should contact the township for the current fee schedule.

4.5. Contact Information – Worth Township

• Website: worthtownshipmi.gov
• (Phone/email not listed in the provided PDF; use the website’s “Contact” page for current staff contacts.)

5. State‑Level (Michigan) Requirements

While the source documents do not list state statutes, Michigan law applies uniformly to all STR operators:

| State Requirement | Description | |-------------------|-------------| | Sales‑Tax & Lodging‑Tax Registration | STR operators must obtain a Michigan Sales‑Tax Vendor’s License (Michigan Department of Treasury) and collect the **