Lee Township
Short-term & long-term rental regulations, fees, and investor resources for Allegan County, Michigan.
Area Overview
Lee Township is a rural civil township in the southwest corner of Allegan County, anchored by the unincorporated community of Pullman at the junction of 109th Avenue and 56th Street. The township covers about 36 square miles, with the 2020 census population at 3,805 [1]. Land use is dominated by farmland, woodland, and a portion of the Allegan State Game Area, with residential clusters around Lower Scott Lake and the small lake communities of Bakersville and Sherman Park.
Lee Township has not adopted a short-term rental ordinance and does not operate an STR registration or licensing program [2]. There is likewise no Lee Township long-term rental registration or inspection program — landlord-tenant relationships are governed by Michigan state law. Operators in either category are still bound by the township’s anti-noise & public nuisance ordinance [3], blight ordinance [4], single-family residence ordinance [5], and floodplain ordinance [6], plus the township’s underlying zoning ordinance, which is administered through the township office.
Quick Status Summary
Lee Township has no short-term rental ordinance. STRs default to underlying residential zoning, state law, and the township’s general nuisance, noise, and blight rules. No STR registration, license, or annual fee is required by the township [2]. Operators are still responsible for the Michigan 6% Use Tax on transient accommodations [7].
Long-term rentals (leases of 31+ days) are permitted in residentially zoned areas with no Lee Township registration, license, or inspection program. Michigan landlord-tenant law governs leases, security deposits, repairs, and evictions [8].
Rental Regulations
Where STRs Are Allowed (Zoning)
Lee Township has not adopted a separate short-term rental ordinance. STR activity defaults to the underlying residential dwelling use permitted in each zoning district under the township’s zoning ordinance. The township ordinance list published on the official site contains no STR licensing or registration ordinance [2].
How to verify a specific parcel: Lee Township’s zoning ordinance is administered through the township office at 877 56th Street, Pullman. The full zoning ordinance is not posted as a downloadable PDF on the township website — copies are available for review at the township office, the County Clerk’s office, or the Sheriff’s office [2]. For a definitive answer on whether a specific parcel’s zoning permits residential rental use, contact the clerk and request the zoning district designation and a copy of the applicable use chart.
Use the Allegan County interactive parcel viewer to look up the parcel and confirm tax/utility/septic context before contacting the township.
Registration & Permit Process
No Lee Township STR registration or licensing program exists. There is no application form, no portal, no annual fee, and no inspection cycle specific to short-term rentals [2].
Operators are still responsible for:
- Building permits for any structural modifications, additions, or change-of-use work — submitted via the Lee Township Building Permit Application Packet (handled by Michigan Township Services for Lee Township) [9].
- Electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits separately for those trades — applications on the township Forms page [10].
- Michigan 6% Use Tax on transient accommodations (stays of less than 30 days) — registered and remitted through Michigan Treasury Online [7].
- Any special-event setups (weddings, large gatherings) on rental property require a Special Event Application under Ordinance #2032 [11].
Operating Rules (Noise, Nuisance, Blight, Trash, Burning)
While there is no STR-specific operating ordinance, Lee Township operators are bound by the same general ordinances that apply to every property in the township:
- Anti-Noise & Public Nuisance — Ordinance #2012: Prohibits noise audible beyond property lines that disturbs the peace, plus other public nuisances [3].
- Blight Elimination — Ordinance #2014: Junk vehicles, accumulated debris, unkempt premises, and similar visual blight are violations [4].
- Trash & Leaf Burning — Ordinance #2013: Regulates outdoor burning and rubbish disposal; burn permits are obtained day-of by calling 269-686-5222 [12].
- Litter — Ordinance #2022: Prohibits littering on public and private property [13].
- Single-Family Residence — Ordinance #2026: Establishes minimum residential building standards (square footage, foundation, exterior finish) — relevant for unconventional structures listed as STRs [5].
- Animal Control — Ordinance #2011: Leash and licensing requirements [14].
- Curfew — Ordinance #2016: Township curfew for minors [15].
Complaints about a rental property’s conduct are submitted via the Township Ordinance Complaint Form [16].
Lodging Excise Tax & State Compliance
Michigan imposes a 6% Use Tax on rentals of less than 30 days [7]. Operators must register with the Michigan Department of Treasury, collect the tax from guests, and remit it monthly or quarterly depending on volume. Major STR platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo) collect and remit Michigan state Use Tax for hosts in most cases, but operators are responsible for verifying the platform’s collection scope and registering directly if they take any bookings outside those platforms [17].
Allegan County does not levy a separate county-level lodging tax. There is no Lee Township lodging tax.
Where LTRs Are Allowed (Zoning)
Long-term rentals (31+ day leases) are permitted in residentially zoned areas of Lee Township as a standard residential dwelling use. Lee Township has no separate LTR licensing or registration ordinance [2].
Where verification matters: For parcels in agricultural, commercial, or industrial zoning districts, the underlying residential dwelling use itself must be permitted (or grandfathered). The township’s zoning ordinance is administered through the township office — request the zoning district designation and use chart from the clerk before underwriting a non-residential parcel as a rental [2].
Registration & Permit Process
No Lee Township LTR registration, license, or inspection program exists. A landlord renting a 31+ day lease in Lee Township does not file a township rental registration, does not pay a township rental fee, and is not subject to a township rental inspection cycle [2].
Landlords are still responsible for:
- Building permits for any structural work — application packet via Michigan Township Services (MTS), the township’s building inspector [9].
- Compliance with Michigan landlord-tenant law (MCL 554.601 et seq.) including written leases, security deposit handling, and notice-to-quit procedures [8].
- Septic compliance for properties on private onsite sewage disposal systems — permits and inspections handled by Allegan County Environmental Health [18].
- Lead-based paint disclosure for pre-1978 housing (federal requirement) [19].
Inspections & Safety Requirements
Lee Township does not conduct routine rental inspections. There is no annual or biennial township inspection cycle for long-term rentals [2]. Inspections are limited to:
- Building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing trade inspections tied to specific permits issued for new construction, additions, or alterations — handled by Michigan Township Services and trade-specific inspectors [9].
- Septic system evaluations may be required by mortgage lenders or on change of use, handled by Allegan County Environmental Health (turnaround goal: 14 business days) [18].
- Floodplain compliance for any work in regulated floodplains under Ordinance #2033 [6].
Landlords are responsible for keeping rentals in compliance with the Michigan Housing Law (MCL 125.401 et seq.) — habitability standards apply regardless of whether the township inspects.
Tenant Rights & Eviction Resources
Michigan landlord-tenant relationships are governed by state law (MCL 554.601 et seq.) and the summary proceedings act for evictions. The State Bar of Michigan publishes a free Practical Guide for Tenants and Landlords covering leases, security deposits, repairs, and the eviction process [8]. These statewide rules apply in Lee Township and are not modified by any local ordinance.
Eviction proceedings for Lee Township properties are filed in the 57th District Court (Allegan County) [20]. The Allegan County Legal Assistance Center (ACLAC) offers free help for self-represented tenants and landlords [21].
Official Resources
Property Tax Treatment
Explore Rental Guides — Allegan County
Every municipality in Allegan County. Click any to view its rental guide — or request one if it’s not yet live. View the Allegan County hub →
- AlleganCitySTRs Capped/Limited
- Allegan TownshipTownshipSTR Status Unverified
- Casco TownshipTownshipSTRs Allowed
- Cheshire TownshipTownshipSTR Status Unverified
- Clyde TownshipTownshipSTR Status Unverified
- Dorr TownshipTownshipSTR Status Unverified
- DouglasCitySTRs Allowed
- FennvilleCitySTRs Capped/Limited
- Fillmore TownshipTownshipSTRs Allowed
- Ganges TownshipTownshipSTRs Not Allowed
- Gun Plain TownshipTownshipSTR Status Unverified
- Heath TownshipTownshipSTR Status Unverified
- HopkinsVillageSTR Status Unverified
- Hopkins TownshipTownshipSTR Status Unverified
- Laketown TownshipTownshipSTRs Capped/Limited
- Lee TownshipTownshipSTRs Allowed
- Leighton TownshipTownshipSTR Status Unverified
- Manlius TownshipTownshipSTR Status Unverified
- MartinVillageSTRs Allowed
- Martin TownshipTownshipSTR Status Unverified
- Monterey TownshipTownshipSTRs Capped/Limited
- OtsegoCitySTR Status Unverified
- Otsego TownshipTownshipSTR Status Unverified
- Overisel TownshipTownshipSTR Status Unverified
- PlainwellCitySTRs Not Allowed
- Salem TownshipTownshipSTRs Capped/Limited
- SaugatuckCitySTRs Capped/Limited
- Saugatuck TownshipTownshipSTRs Allowed
- Trowbridge TownshipTownshipSTR Status Unverified
- Valley TownshipTownshipSTRs Not Allowed
- Watson TownshipTownshipSTR Status Unverified
- WaylandCitySTR Status Unverified
- Wayland TownshipTownshipSTRs Allowed
Buying, selling, or investing in Lee Township?
Lee Township is one of Allegan County's quieter rural townships, with no STR cap and no LTR registration program. I help investors and owner-occupants in the Pullman, Bakersville, and Lower Scott Lake areas evaluate parcels against zoning, septic, and county-level rules that decide whether a deal pencils.
Sources & Downloads
-
1Wikipedia — Lee Township, Allegan County, Michigan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Township,_Allegan_County,_MichiganGeography, population (3,805 at 2020 census), unincorporated communitiesVerified: 2026-05-12
-
2Lee Township — Township Ordinances Index http://www.leetwp.org/departmentpages/townshipordinances.htmFull published ordinance list. No STR or LTR registration ordinance present as of 2026-05-12. Zoning ordinance reviewed at township office.Verified: 2026-05-12
-
3Lee Township — Anti-Noise & Public Nuisance Ordinance #2012 http://www.leetwp.org/Ordinance/TOWNSHIP%20ORDINANCE%20NO%202012.pdfScanned PDFVerified: 2026-05-12
-
4Lee Township — Blight Elimination Ordinance #2014 http://www.leetwp.org/Ordinance/TOWNSHIP%20ORDINANCE%20NO%202025.pdfScanned PDF (filename uses 2025; township site links to this as the Blight ordinance)Verified: 2026-05-12
-
5Lee Township — Notice of Ordinance Adoption #2026 (Single-Family Residence) http://www.leetwp.org/Ordinance/NOTICE%20OF%20ORDINANCE%20ADOPTION%202026.2.pdfMinimum residential building standardsVerified: 2026-05-12
-
6Lee Township — Floodplain Ordinance #2033 http://www.leetwp.org/Ordinance/Ordinance%202033.pdfFloodplain construction regulationsVerified: 2026-05-12
-
7Michigan Department of Treasury — Sales & Use Tax https://www.michigan.gov/taxes/business-taxes/sales-use-tax6% Michigan Use Tax applies to transient accommodation rentals (stays under 30 days)Verified: 2026-05-12
-
8Michigan Legislature — A Practical Guide for Tenants & Landlords https://www.legislature.mi.gov/publications/tenantlandlord.pdfStatewide landlord-tenant law, leases, eviction processVerified: 2026-05-12
-
9Michigan Township Services — Lee Township page https://michigantownshipservices.org/lee-townshipBuilding inspector contact: 269-673-3239. Building permit application forms.Verified: 2026-05-12
-
10Lee Township — Forms page http://www.leetwp.org/forms.htmBuilding, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, special event, and other formsVerified: 2026-05-12
-
11Lee Township — Special Event Ordinance #2032 (with application) http://www.leetwp.org/Ordinance/TOWNSHIP%20ORDINANCE%20NO%202032%20WITH%20APP.pdfRequired for events on rental propertyVerified: 2026-05-12
-
12Lee Township — Q&A (burn permits, transfer station) http://www.leetwp.org/q&a.htmlBurn permit phone 269-686-5222; transfer station hours; FAQsVerified: 2026-05-12
-
13Lee Township — Litter Ordinance #2022 http://www.leetwp.org/Ordinance/TOWNSHIP%20ORDINANCE%20NO%202022.pdfTownship ordinanceVerified: 2026-05-12
-
14Lee Township — Animal Control Ordinance #2011 http://www.leetwp.org/Ordinance/TOWNSHIP%20ORDINANCE%20NO%202011.pdfTownship ordinanceVerified: 2026-05-12
-
15Lee Township — Curfew Ordinance #2016 http://www.leetwp.org/Ordinance/TOWNSHIP%20ORDINANCE%20NO%202016.pdfTownship ordinanceVerified: 2026-05-12
-
16Lee Township — Ordinance Complaint Form http://www.leetwp.org/Forms%20File/complaint%20form.pdfSubmission path for noise, blight, and nuisance complaintsVerified: 2026-05-12
-
17Michigan Treasury — Sales/Use Tax for Transient Accommodations FAQ https://www.michigan.gov/taxes/business-taxes/sales-use-tax/information/marketplace-facilitator-seller-faqsMarketplace facilitator collection rules apply to STR platforms like Airbnb/Vrbo for Michigan Use TaxVerified: 2026-05-12
-
18Allegan County Environmental Health — Forms & Permits https://www.allegancounty.org/health/environmental-health/forms-permitsSeptic system construction & evaluation permits; (269) 673-5415Verified: 2026-05-12
-
19U.S. EPA — Lead-Based Paint Disclosure (Federal Section 1018) https://www.epa.gov/lead/real-estate-disclosures-about-potential-lead-hazardsFederal disclosure requirement for housing built before 1978Verified: 2026-05-12
-
20Allegan County — 57th District Court https://www.allegancounty.org/courts-law-enforcement/57th-district-courtCourt of venue for Lee Township eviction proceedingsVerified: 2026-05-12
-
21Allegan County Legal Assistance Center (ACLAC) https://www.allegancounty.org/courts-law-enforcement/legal-assistance-center-aclacFree legal help for self-represented landlords and tenants in Allegan CountyVerified: 2026-05-12