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

Overview: STR Status in South Haven, MI

Short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in South Haven, Michigan, both within the City of South Haven and South Haven Charter Township. However, they are heavily regulated at both municipal levels with comprehensive registration, licensing, and operational requirements. The city maintains a strict 1:4 housing stock ratio cap (meaning 1 STR for every 4 housing units, or 20% of total housing stock), while the township allows STRs only in single-family dwellings with specific operational limitations.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in South Haven?

South Haven hosts earn a median $51,292/year with $501 ADR and 52% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $76,657+ per year.

See the full South Haven market breakdown

Starting a Short-Term Rental Business in South Haven

For Properties Within City Limits:

Determine License Type:
- Class I License (formerly "Business"): Allows unlimited rental stays, but maximum 2 rental stays per 7-day period
- Class II License (formerly "Personal"): Limited to 6 rental terms OR 28 days of rental per calendar year
Choose Registration Pathway:
- Article X (Legacy Ordinance): Available for existing STRs until May 1, 2026
- Article V (New Ordinance): Required for all new STRs, includes zoning compliance review
Overlay Zone Consideration:
- Verify property location using the Interactive STR Overlay Map
- Properties in overlay zones require Special Land Use approval

For Properties in South Haven Charter Township:

Confirm Single-Family Dwelling Status:
- STRs only permitted in single-family dwellings
- Minimum 3-night, maximum 27-night rental periods
- Only one rental term may begin during any calendar week (Sunday-Saturday)

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

City of South Haven Requirements:

Article X (Legacy) - Existing STRs:

Short-Term Rental Application/Renewal/Change of Ownership
Local Agent Form
Inspection Checklist
Good Neighbor Guide
Proof of $1,000,000 liability insurance

Article V (New) - All New STRs:

Special Land Use Application (for overlay zones)
Zoning Compliance Review Application
Short-Term Rental Licensing Application
Operator Designation Form
License Inspection Sheet
Proof of $1,000,000 liability insurance

South Haven Charter Township Requirements:

Annual registration application with township
Proof of $1,000,000 comprehensive rental dwelling insurance
Compliance with all ordinance requirements (safety, occupancy, posting)
Local agent designation (if owner resides >45 miles away)
Septic inspection certificate (every 3 years if no public utilities)

Specific Regulations by Jurisdiction

City of South Haven Regulations:

Operational Limits:

Class I: Unlimited rentals, max 2 stays per 7-day period
Class II: 6 rental terms OR 28 days per calendar year
Mandatory pre-approval of rental dates for Class II licenses

Safety Requirements:

Smoke detectors in each bedroom, tested every 90 days
Carbon monoxide devices on each floor, tested every 90 days
Address posting in multiple locations
Emergency contact information availability

Insurance Requirements:

Minimum $1,000,000 liability coverage required for both license classes

Inspection Schedule:

Class I: Annual inspections
Class II: Bi-annual inspections

Prohibited Activities:

Fireworks displays (strict prohibition)
Rental periods less than 2 nights or more than 29 nights

Compliance:

"Good Neighbor Guide" must be provided to renters
Local agent response within 45 minutes for complaints
Quiet hours: 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM daily

South Haven Charter Township Regulations:

Property Limitations:

Single-family dwellings only
Minimum 3-night stays, maximum 27 nights
One rental term per calendar week only

Occupancy Limits:

Maximum: 12 total occupants OR 2 per bedroom + 2 per finished story
Total people on site (occupants + daytime guests): 1.5x maximum occupants
Daytime guests: sunrise to sunset only

Safety Requirements:

Smoke detectors in each bedroom (tested every 90 days)
Carbon monoxide devices on each floor (tested every 90 days)
SHAES-installed street number marker
Reflective address sign requirements (3-inch numbers, 5-foot height)

Utilities and Infrastructure:

Septic inspection required every 3 years (if no public utilities)
SHAES inspection consent required
Minimum 90-gallon trash container per 4 occupants

Local Agent Requirements:

Required if owner lives >45 miles from property
Must respond within 1 hour of township/law enforcement contact

Notice Requirements:

Township rules and policies to renters
Anti-Noise Ordinance information (quiet hours 11 PM - 7 AM)
Water safety/beach flag information
Golf cart restrictions (not permitted on county roads)

State-Level Considerations (Michigan):

General Requirements:

Compliance with Michigan Construction Code and Michigan Residential Code
Adherence to fire safety codes
State-mandated carbon monoxide device requirements

Contact Information

City of South Haven STR Program:

STR Program Coordinator: Megan Blodgett
- Phone: (269) 637-0791
- Email: mblodgett@southhavenmi.gov
STR Inspector: Luke Thompson
- Phone: (269) 637-0790
- Email: lthompson@southhavenmi.gov
City Hall: (269) 637-0700
Address: 539 Phoenix Street, South Haven, MI 49090

South Haven Charter Township:

Zoning Administrator (for registration matters)
Contact through township hall for specific contact information

Complaint Reporting:

24/7 STR Complaint Hotline: Available through online portal
Online Complaint Form: Host Compliance Portal
Non-Emergency Police: (269) 657-3101

South Haven Vacation Rental Alliance (SHVRA):

Email: info@SHVRA.org
Mailing Address: PO Box 635, South Haven, MI 49090

Fee Structure

City of South Haven:

Legacy Article X Fees:

Annual registration fees (vary by property type)
Application processing fees

New Article V Fees:

Licensing fees per approved fee schedule
Special Land Use application fees (for overlay zones)
Inspection fees (Class I annual, Class II bi-annual)

South Haven Charter Township:

Annual administrative fee (amount set by township board resolution)
Increased fee for late registration after April 1
Septic inspection fees (every 3 years, if required)

Key Resources and Links

City of South Haven:

South Haven Charter Township:

STR Ordinance #157
Township Zoning Ordinance compliance required

Additional Resources:

Important Notes:

All applications must be complete to be processed
Properties currently registered under Article X can continue until May 1, 2026
New applications must follow Article V requirements
Regular inspections are mandatory and compliance is strictly enforced
The 1:4 housing stock ratio cap means availability is limited and competitive

Next step

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Ask the AI Advisor about South Haven

South Haven is a small lakeside city situated on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan in Van Buren County, Michigan. With a year-round population of roughly 4,000 residents, the community has the feel of a quiet harbor town that swells dramatically during the warmer months when visitors arrive for the beaches, fruit farms, and small-town charm. It is best known as a summer beach destination and serves as a gateway to Michigan's southwestern shoreline and the surrounding agricultural region famous for blueberries. South Haven sits about forty-five minutes west of Grand Rapids and roughly two and a half hours east of Chicago, making it a convenient weekend escape for both Michigan residents and visitors from the broader Midwest.

The South Haven Lighthouse is one of the most photographed landmarks on the eastern Lake Michigan coast, standing at the entrance to the Black River channel and framed by a wide sandy public beach. Visitors can walk along the north pier to view the lighthouse up close and watch the commercial and recreational boats entering and leaving the harbor, all just a few blocks from the downtown core. The pier and adjacent beach are a defining visual symbol of the town and a focal point for evening walks in the warmer months.

Just south of the city, Van Buren State Park stretches along the Lake Michigan shoreline, offering a broad sandy beach, dune formations, and shaded campsites. The park is only about ten minutes from downtown South Haven and provides swimming, picnicking, and hiking opportunities that draw families throughout the summer. Its proximity to the city makes it a natural extension of the beach-day experience for visitors staying in town.

The Kal-Haven Trail is a roughly 33-mile crushed-stone rail trail that connects South Haven to Kalamazoo, passing through woodlands, farm fields, and small rural communities. Hikers, cyclists, and runners use the trail year-round, and the South Haven trailhead is located near the edge of the city. It offers an easy way to experience the agricultural and natural landscape of southwestern Michigan without ever leaving the trail.

A short drive to the north along the coast brings visitors to the Saugatuck-Douglas area, an art-centric harbor community known for its galleries, waterfront dining, and the dune climb up Mount Baldhead overlooking the Kalamazoo River. About twenty-five minutes from South Haven, Saugatuck adds a complementary cultural counterpoint to the beach-and-blueberry character of South Haven itself and tends to pull in visitors for both day trips and overnight stays.

South Haven combines a compact, walkable downtown, a working harbor, and direct access to one of the finest stretches of Lake Michigan shoreline, all within a few hours' drive of two major Midwestern metro areas. Its blend of small-town character, beach recreation, agricultural tourism, and outdoor trails gives short-term rental owners a strong seasonal draw and a diverse base of visitors throughout the warmer months.