Watervliet

Appendix A (Zoning) of the City of Watervliet Code of Ordinances does not name short-term or transient rental as a permitted use in any residential district ^[4]. Article VI of Appendix A lists the City’s zoning districts and maps; Article III (Rules and Definitions) likewise does not define “short-term rental” or “transient rental.” Because the zoning appendix is silent on STR, the conservative read under Michigan zoning practice is that short-term rental is not expressly permitted by name in City residential districts.

The practical answer for any specific City parcel is get a written zoning opinion from City Hall before you buy or list. The City is compact and directly surrounded by Watervliet Charter Township; make sure you are confirming which jurisdiction governs the address (Township parcels follow a separate Rental Registration and Inspection ordinance that does not apply to City parcels).

Use the Berrien County GIS viewer to confirm City vs. Township jurisdiction for any specific parcel.

Apply for a City Rental Permit through the Building Department by contacting Bob Lohr at 269-463-5113 ^[2]. The City of Watervliet runs a rental-permit program through the Building Department at 158 W Pleasant St. Although the codified ordinances do not call out short-term rental separately, any residential rental use in the City is expected to register and pass a rental inspection before being let. The Building Department is staffed by contracted inspectors and is reachable during City Hall hours (Mon–Thu, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m.) ^[1].

For short-term rental use specifically, request a written zoning opinion from City Hall at the same time you apply for the rental permit. Appendix A does not name STR as a permitted use, so an operator relying solely on a Building Department rental permit is exposed to a later zoning enforcement action if the City Commission clarifies the rule.

No STR-specific fee schedule is published by the City of Watervliet because no dedicated STR ordinance has been adopted. Rental-permit and inspection fees are set by the Building Department and are most accurately obtained by calling Bob Lohr at 269-463-5113 at the time of application ^[2]. Companion trade-permit fees are administered through the Building Department by the contracted inspectors listed below.

An operator who lists an STR without a rental permit and without a written zoning opinion is exposed to general municipal enforcement under Chapter 10 (Buildings and Building Regulations) and zoning enforcement under Appendix A ^[3][4]. Until the City Commission codifies STR-specific penalties, expect enforcement to run through the Building Department with the Zoning Administrator as backstop.

The City of Watervliet enforces property-maintenance and nuisance standards through the codified ordinances on Municode and the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office (the City does not operate its own police department). Rental properties — whether short-term or long-term — must comply with:

• Chapter 10 (Buildings and Building Regulations) for basic building-code and rental-permit compliance ^[3].
• Appendix A Zoning for permitted-use, setback, and accessory-structure rules ^[4].
• Michigan Residential Code smoke and carbon-monoxide detector requirements.
• City water and sewer utilities in good standing — unpaid utilities can lien the property regardless of occupant.

Non-emergency complaints (noise, parking, nuisance) are routed to City Hall at (269) 463-6769 during business hours and to the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office dispatch after hours.

Even without a City STR ordinance, Michigan state-level and Berrien County obligations apply to any short-term rental operator in the City of Watervliet:

• 6% State Use Tax on rentals of 30 days or less — collected and remitted to the Michigan Department of Treasury (Airbnb and Vrbo collect automatically for bookings through their platforms; direct bookings are the operator’s responsibility).
• Berrien County 5% Accommodations Excise Tax on transient (<30 day) lodging, administered by the Berrien County Treasurer ^[5].
• Michigan Principal Residence Exemption (PRE) cannot be claimed on a property used primarily as an investor STR — file Form 2602 (Request to Rescind PRE) with the City Assessor when converting from homestead.
• Michigan sales/use tax license via the Department of Treasury if collecting tax directly.