Hamilton Township

Short-term rentals are allowed in any zoning district that permits single-family dwellings ^[2], including the township’s residential and lake-residential districts under the Hamilton Township Zoning Ordinance ^[4]. STRs are limited to single-family dwellings only; bed and breakfasts, motels, resorts, and campgrounds are excluded from the ordinance and regulated separately ^[2].

Capacity limit: 12 active STR permits township-wide, with a minimum of 1,000 feet between STR property lines (closest point to closest point). Existing STRs operating before the February 28, 2025 effective date may continue at less than 1,000 feet spacing until the property is sold or changes ownership ^[2].

Open the Hamilton Township Zoning Book (PDF) to verify a parcel’s district. Specific by-district permissions for single-family dwellings are listed in the Zoning Ordinance, and should be confirmed with the zoning permit contact (Bob May) before purchase ^[5].

When applications are open, owners must complete the township-issued STR application and pay an annual administrative fee set by Township Board resolution ^[2]. The standard cycle is: initial registration by May 1, 2025 for the inaugural year, then each January 1 thereafter for the subsequent year ^[2].

Required documentation (per Section 5 of the ordinance) ^[2]

• Owner’s name, address, phone, and email.
• Property address and number of bedrooms.
• Sketch of designated parking spaces and total off-street parking count (improved areas only, grass parking is prohibited).
• Proposed maximum occupancy load (subject to ordinance limits and Building Official review).
• Copy of the rental agreement.
• Proof of ownership.
• Proof of insurance specifically covering short-term rental use; if coverage lapses, township must be notified within 24 hours.
• Van Buren / Cass County District Health Department septic and well inspection documentation, with inspections annually and septic pumping every 3 years ^[2][6].
• Local agent contact information (if owner not serving as agent personally).
• Compliance certification.

Late application penalty: $1,000 per month for any month the application is deemed late ^[2].

The annual STR administrative fee is set by Township Board resolution and is not fixed in the ordinance text ^[2]. Confirm the current-year fee directly with the STR administrator before applying.

Revocation triggers ^[2]

• Three (3) separate violation incidents on three (3) different days within a calendar year resulting in a plea or finding of responsibility.
• One (1) serious or life-threatening offense (emergency revocation).
• Failure to timely answer any citation issued to the property owner triggers immediate suspension for the remainder of the calendar year.

After revocation, a property cannot be re-registered as an STR for one year, and a second revocation is permanent ^[2]. Existing rental contracts up to 60 nights past the suspension date may be honored only with Township Board approval; bookings beyond 60 nights must be cancelled ^[2].

STR owners must submit an annual property inspection report from a township-authorized inspector as part of registration ^[2]. The township may also conduct complaint-driven inspections consistent with the International Property Maintenance Code, in which case the property owner or occupants must consent to the inspection ^[2].

Required safety devices ^[2]

• Smoke detectors in each bedroom and one on each floor in the vicinity of the bedrooms. Tested every 90 days. Written log must be available on request.
• Carbon monoxide detector (per MCL 125.1504) on each floor. Tested every 90 days. Written log required.
• Noise monitoring device on the exterior of the dwelling, in an outdoor activity area, capable of alerting the owner or local agent any time noise exceeds 85 dB. Owner/agent must respond and bring the property into compliance.
• Green reflective address sign from the Decatur-Hamilton Fire Department Auxiliary, mounted on a post in the street-side yard at least 5 feet above grade, visible from both directions of the driveway.

Septic & well ^[2]

In any area without public water and sewer (most of the township), the owner must consent to and pay for septic and well inspection by the Van Buren / Cass County District Health Department, and must hold a current certificate showing the system is sized for the proposed occupancy ^[6]. Septic pumping is required every three (3) years. Portable bathrooms (porta-potties) are strictly prohibited ^[2].

Occupancy formula ^[2]

Maximum overnight occupancy = (2 occupants per bedroom) + (2 additional per finished story). Children under 24 months and people with documented medical supervision needs are excluded from the count. Basements, attics, garages, accessory buildings, and porches do not count as habitable space unless the Building Official has verified egress compliance under the Michigan Property Maintenance Code.

Daytime guests may bring the total people on site (sunrise to sunset only) up to 1.5x the overnight occupancy, rounded up. All guests must follow the same rental rules as overnight occupants ^[2].

Quiet hours ^[2]

10:30 PM to 7:00 AM, every night. The owner must include quiet hours in the rental agreement. Both the rental rules and the contact info for the person in charge of the property must also be physically posted inside the rental.

Parking ^[2]

Parking is restricted to designated improved off-street spaces shown on the registration sketch. Parking on grass, public or private roads, or roadway right-of-ways is prohibited. Parking on adjacent property the owner does not own is also prohibited.

Other operating rules ^[2]

• Trash: kept in closed varmint-resistant containers, not visible from the street except on collection day, weekly pickup.
• Campfires: permitted only in designated fire pit areas, attended at all times, fully extinguished after use; tenants must follow any state or Hamilton-Decatur Fire Department burn bans.
• Fireworks: must comply with the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act 256 of 2011.
• Pets: must remain on the rented premises and under owner control; barking, roaming onto neighbors, or similar activity is prohibited.
• Recreational activities: land-based recreation must stay on the rented premises.
• Exterior signs: no exterior ‘for rent’ or ‘short-term rental’ signage permitted.

If the owner does not personally serve as the local agent, they must designate one in writing who ^[2]:

• Lives or maintains a place of business within 20 miles of the rental dwelling;
• Is available 24 hours a day while the property is occupied;
• Responds within 30 minutes of any complaint or contact from the township or law enforcement;
• Has the authority to make decisions resolving the issue at hand and possesses keys to all buildings on the property.

Adjacent property owners within 100 feet may obtain the local agent’s contact information from the township upon request ^[2]. The local agent’s name and contact info must be posted inside the rental and included in the rental agreement.

The 12-permit cap ^[2]

• Township-wide maximum of 12 active STR permits.
• 1,000-foot minimum spacing between STR property lines (closest point to closest point).
• Pre-existing STRs operating before February 28, 2025 may continue closer than 1,000 feet apart, but the exemption ends on sale or transfer of ownership; the new owner cannot inherit the spacing waiver.

Recent ordinance history

• February 11, 2025: Township Board adopts Ordinance No. 02112504 ^[2].
• February 28, 2025: STR Ordinance becomes effective ^[2].
• May 1, 2025: initial registration deadline ^[2].
• 2026 cycle: application window now closed; new applicants directed to contact Robin Young in September 2026 about 2027 availability ^[3].