Lincoln Charter Township

Short-term rentals are allowed in Lincoln Charter Township’s residential districts as a single-family dwelling use. The zoning ordinance (Article Four use table) permits Single-Family Dwellings by right in AG (Agricultural), LD (Low Density Residential), CR (Community Residential), HD (High Density), and NRD (Neighborhood Residential) ^[4]. Because the ordinance does not define “short-term rental” as a separate land use, renting a single-family dwelling on a short-term basis is zoned the same as any other residential occupancy of that dwelling.

The ordinance does separately regulate Bed & Breakfast establishments (Special Use in AG, LD, and NRD) — if the owner lives on-site, offers up to six guest rooms, and serves a morning meal, that is a B&B under Section 230.910 and requires Planning Commission approval ^[4]. Hotels and resorts are separately regulated in the CMU and HC commercial districts.

Click through to the official Zoning Map PDF to confirm a specific parcel’s district.

Submit the Rental Registration Application by mail or in person to the Department of Building Safety at 2055 W. John Beers Road, Stevensville, MI 49127. Check the Short-term box on the form, complete one application per unit, sign it, and return it within 10 business days of first renting the unit ^[1]. The township does not operate an online rental portal.

Fee amounts are published in the township’s Fee Schedule for Meetings and Permits ^[2]. Penalty language is from the township’s Good Neighbor Brochure, which references the township’s rental ordinance ^[3].

The $35 Rental Certificate fee covers one regular inspection by the Department of Building Safety; if the unit fails the initial inspection, a $50 re-inspection fee applies to each follow-up visit until the unit passes ^[2]. The application is a prima facie statement of condition — providing inaccurate information is grounds for legal action and fines under the rental ordinance ^[1].

Lincoln Charter Township’s zoning ordinance also cross-references the Rental Property Code for Bed & Breakfast establishments (Sec. 230.910), requiring smoke detectors in every sleeping room and a fire extinguisher on every floor near sleeping rooms ^[4]. While that section is B&B-specific, it is a reasonable baseline for what a township inspector is going to look for in any overnight-rental context: working smoke alarms per sleeping room, adequate egress, and no obvious electrical or plumbing hazards.

Lincoln Charter Township publishes a Good Neighbor Brochure addressed directly at vacation renters, and it is the practical rulebook STR operators should post inside the home for guests ^[3]:

• Quiet hours: 11:00 PM – 7:00 AM. After 11 PM, move the party indoors and keep voices low.
• Parking: No street parking anywhere in the township. No parking on the grass or in the front yard. Use driveways and garages only — if your guests can’t fit in the driveway, you may be over-occupied.
• Dogs: Must be leashed outside; not allowed on public beaches; pick up after them.
• Trash & recycling: Use the provided recycling cart for metal, paper, glass, and plastic. Do not leave trash outside in plastic bags.
• Contacts for guests: Police non-emergency 269-429-2444 · Fire non-emergency 269-428-2385 · Township Hall 269-429-1589.

The Rental Certificate is annual — the registration fee is $100 per year and is billed on an annual cycle ^[1][2]. Owners must file an amended registration statement within 10 business days of any change to the information on file (ownership transfer, new authorized agent, contact updates) ^[1].

There is no self-service renewal portal. Renewal is handled through the same Rental Registration Application filed with the Department of Building Safety — put the annual renewal date on your calendar and submit it before the prior Certificate lapses to avoid operating a “rental unit without a Rental Certificate,” which triggers the $500 civil infraction penalty ^[3].