New Buffalo, Michigan Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Executive Overview

Short-term rentals ARE ALLOWED in New Buffalo, MI at both the city and township levels, subject to specific licensing, inspection, and regulatory requirements. The City of New Buffalo and New Buffalo Township have established comprehensive frameworks to regulate STR operations while supporting the tourism industry. Investors must obtain proper licensing, pass safety inspections, and comply with local ordinances to operate legally.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in New Buffalo?

New Buffalo hosts earn a median $47,112/year with $472 ADR and 49% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $76,772+ per year.

See the full New Buffalo market breakdown

Starting a Short-Term Rental Business in New Buffalo, MI

City of New Buffalo Requirements

Initial Registration Process
- Complete Short-Term Rental Application
- Submit driver's license copy
- Pay total cost of $1,525.00 (detailed breakdown below)
- Schedule and pass safety inspection
- Designate local agent
Township Requirements (if property located in New Buffalo Township)
- Obtain rental license before any rental activity
- Complete rental application process
- Pay $500.00 license fee
- Pass safety inspection
- License valid for 36 months from approval date

Documentation and Application Process

City of New Buffalo:

Submit completed Short-Term Rental Application via online portal
Provide copy of valid driver's license
Upload required documents through the Short-Term Rental Form Submission page
Submit payment for all applicable fees

New Buffalo Township:

Applications available at Building & Zoning Department
Submit completed rental application
Provide all required safety documentation

Required Documents, Permits, and Licenses

City of New Buffalo

Required Documents:

Completed Short-Term Rental Application
Valid driver's license copy
Local Agent Information form
Payment for all fees

Permits and Fees:

Registration Fee: $75.00
City Service Fee (non-homestead): $1,300.00
Inspection Fee: $150.00
Total Initial Cost: $1,525.00

Key Forms:

New Buffalo Township

Required Documents:

Completed Rental Application
Safety inspection documentation
Compliance verification with township ordinances

License Details:

License Fee: $500.00
License Duration: 36 months from approval
Pre-rental Requirement: License must be obtained before any rental activity

Key Documents:

Specific Regulations by Jurisdiction

City of New Buffalo Regulations

Operational Standards:

Properties must comply with all safety requirements verified through inspection
Local agent must be designated for guest services and emergency response
Properties must maintain residential character in zoning districts
Compliance with consumer protection, property owner, neighbor, and emergency responder safety standards

Inspection Requirements:

Mandatory safety inspection before initial licensing
Inspection verifies all required safety systems are in place and serviced
Inspection fee of $150.00 must be paid

Renewal Process:

Short-term rental renewals required periodically
Renewal forms available online
Updated documentation and inspection may be required

New Buffalo Township Regulations

Safety and Maintenance:

Properties must maintain safe conditions for rental use
Required safety systems must be serviced and functional
Annual solid waste collection required throughout entire year

Compliance Requirements:

Properties must comply with all township ordinances including:
- Noise regulations
- Dust control
- Litter management
- Odor control
- Burning restrictions
- Solid waste collection requirements

Operational Standards:

License must be obtained before any rental activity begins
Properties must maintain residential character
Guest safety and satisfaction standards apply

State-Level Considerations (Michigan)

Properties must also comply with relevant Michigan state regulations including:

Health department requirements
Fire safety codes
Building safety standards
Tax collection and remittance requirements

Contact Information and Local Authorities

City of New Buffalo

Primary Contact: Greg Nelson
Code Enforcement Officer
Phone: (269) 469-1500 ext. 118
Email: gnelson@cityofnewbuffalomi.gov
Address: 224 W. Buffalo St., New Buffalo, MI 49117

General Inquiries: City Hall Phone: (269) 469-1500

Complaints:

Normal business hours: Contact City Hall at (269) 469-1500
After-hours complaints: Berrien County Dispatch at (866) 630-7679

Online Services: Short-Term Rental Form Submission: cityofnewbuffalomi.gov/short-term-rental-form-submission/

New Buffalo Township

Primary Contact: Jonathan Jackubowski
Code Enforcement Officer
Phone: (269) 469-1011 ext. 117
Email: code_enforcement@newbuffalotownship.org

Address:
17425 Red Arrow Highway, New Buffalo, MI 49117
Phone: (269) 469-1011
Fax: (269) 469-6711

Department:
Building & Zoning Department (applications available here)

Key Source Links

Critical Compliance Notes

Pre-Operation Requirement: Both city and township licenses must be obtained before any rental activity begins
Annual Solid Waste Service: Township requires solid waste collection service year-round
Local Agent Requirement: City properties must designate a local agent for guest services
Inspection Timelines: Schedule inspections early as they may impact launch timeline
License Renewals: Track renewal dates to avoid operating gaps
Complaint Response: Maintain active contact information for local agent to respond to neighbor concerns

This regulatory framework positions New Buffalo as a well-regulated STR market that balances tourism industry needs with community preservation and safety standards.

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Ask the AI Advisor about New Buffalo

New Buffalo is a small lakeside city in Berrien County, in the far southwestern corner of Michigan, where the state meets Indiana along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. With a year-round population of roughly 1,500 residents, the town swells considerably in summer when visitors arrive to enjoy its broad sandy beach, walkable downtown, and easy access to the surrounding Harbor Country. It is best known as a beach getaway and as the most accessible Michigan shoreline community for travelers from Chicago, sitting approximately 80 miles east of the city, or about a ninety-minute to two-hour drive via Interstate 94.

The New Buffalo Public Beach is the town's main draw, a wide stretch of Lake Michigan sand with swimming, sunbathing, and a scenic pier that juts into the lake. Visitors can stroll the downtown's short main street, which is lined with small shops, cafes, and ice cream stands, and from there the beach is just a few minutes' walk. The shoreline and downtown together form the core of the summer experience here, with sunsets over the lake drawing locals and guests alike.

Just a few minutes north of town, Warren Dunes State Park offers roughly three miles of Lake Michigan beach backed by towering sand dunes that rise more than 200 feet. Hiking trails wind up and over the dunes, and the park's campground and picnic areas make it a popular day trip or overnight stop for families staying in New Buffalo. It is the marquee outdoor attraction in the immediate area and typically a ten- to fifteen-minute drive from the heart of town.

To the west, just across the state line, Indiana Dunes National Park preserves more than fifteen miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and an extraordinary variety of ecosystems, from open beach to oak savanna. The park's main visitor areas lie roughly twenty-five to thirty-five minutes southwest of New Buffalo, making them a feasible half-day trip. Together with Warren Dunes, the two parks give visitors access to some of the most dynamic dune landscapes in the Midwest.

Beyond the dunes, New Buffalo sits at the southern edge of Harbor Country, a loose collection of small communities such as Three Oaks, Union Pier, Sawyer, and Harbert that draw weekend visitors with wineries, farm stands, antique shops, and small performance venues. The region feels distinct from Michigan's more crowded northern beach towns, offering a slower, more wooded pace within an easy drive of the lake.

New Buffalo combines the appeal of a small, walkable beach town with immediate access to some of the most striking natural scenery on the southern Lake Michigan shore. For short-term rental owners, its proximity to Chicago, its well-defined summer season, and the steady year-round flow of visitors to Harbor Country and the nearby state and national parks make it one of Michigan's more reliable coastal markets.