Rental Investment Guide

Wayland Township

Short-term & long-term rental regulations, fees, and investor resources for Allegan County, Michigan.

Updated May 2026
📞
Township Office
269-792-6394
📧
Township Clerk
clerk@waytwp.org
🗺
Directions
1060 129th Avenue, Shelbyville, MI 49344
🌐
Township Website
waytwp.org

Area Overview

Wayland Township sits in northeastern Allegan County, west of US-131 and roughly 25 miles south of Grand Rapids, comprising the unincorporated communities of Bradley and Shelbyville. The township covers about 33.4 square miles of mostly rural, agricultural, and low-density residential land with around 1,169 housing units serving a population of approximately 3,600 [1]. The Township is geographically and politically distinct from the City of Wayland, which is a separately incorporated municipality immediately to the south.

Wayland Township does not currently have a dedicated short-term rental ordinance or rental-registration program. Residential rentals (both short-term and long-term) operate under the township’s Zoning Ordinance [2] and the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code, which Wayland adopted by reference under Ordinance O-09-2022 [3]. Day-to-day zoning enforcement is handled by a contracted Zoning Administrator (PCI, Professional Code Inspections) [4], and septic/well approvals for rural properties come through the Allegan County Environmental Health Department [5].

Quick Status Summary

Short-Term Rentals ALLOWED

No township-level STR ordinance, registration, or permit program. Use must be permitted by the underlying zoning district per the Zoning Ordinance [2], and the property must meet the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code [3]. No annual fee or local license from Wayland Township is required at this time. Verify the parcel’s zoning district before listing.

Long-Term Rentals ALLOWED

No township-level LTR registration or rental-inspection program. Standard residential use is permitted by right in residential zoning districts [2], and the property must meet the 2018 IPMC [3]. Michigan landlord-tenant law (MCL 554.601 et seq.) applies.

Rental Regulations

1 Where STRs Are Allowed (Zoning)

Wayland Township does not have a stand-alone short-term rental ordinance. Whether an STR can operate on a given parcel is determined by that parcel’s zoning district under the Wayland Township Zoning Ordinance (updated and reformatted September 2024) [2]. Residential dwelling use is permitted by right across the township’s residential and agricultural districts; the Zoning Ordinance does not separately classify “short-term rental” as a distinct use category.

For any specific property, verify the parcel’s zoning district on the map below and confirm with the Zoning Administrator (PCI) before listing. PCI staffs zoning enforcement on contract for the township [4].

Wayland Township Zoning Map

Tap the map to open the adopted Zoning Map PDF (December 2, 2019).

🗺 Adopted Zoning Map (PDF)📄 Zoning Ordinance PDF📧 Ask Planning Commission
2 Registration & Permit Process

No township STR registration or permit is required at this time. Wayland Township does not operate a rental-registration program, does not issue STR permits, and does not collect a local STR fee. Owners do not file a township application before listing.

What an operator still needs to handle:

  • Zoning verification: confirm the parcel’s zoning district permits the proposed residential use; contact PCI or the Township Supervisor before any change of use [4].
  • Building/structural permits: any structural or accessory-building work tied to operating the rental must go through the township’s normal zoning/building permit process via PCI [4].
  • State use tax: STR operators must collect and remit Michigan’s 6% state use tax on stays of less than 30 days under the Michigan Use Tax Act [6].
  • Septic capacity: properties on private septic systems should confirm the system is sized for the advertised occupancy via the Allegan County Health Department [5].
For investors: The absence of a township permit does not equal “anything goes.” Zoning, IPMC, and county septic rules still apply, and the township can adopt a registration ordinance at any time. Monitor Planning Commission and Township Board agendas [7].
🔗 Zoning & Planning Page📞 Call PCI (Zoning) 616-877-2000📞 Call Township Office
3 Fees & Penalties
Township STR permit fee$0 (no program exists)
Annual renewal fee$0 (no program exists)
Zoning application feesPer published escrow & fee schedule [8]
State Use Tax (stays under 30 days)6% of total room charges, paid to Michigan Treasury [6]

Wayland Township does not assess a township-level penalty schedule specific to STR operation because no STR ordinance exists. Standard remedies for zoning violations under the Zoning Ordinance [2] and IPMC violations under Ordinance O-09-2022 [3] apply (municipal civil infractions, abatement orders, and other remedies provided in the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act).

Application escrows and zoning fees are governed by the township’s adopted Escrow Policy & Fee Schedule [8].

📄 Escrow & Fee Schedule (PDF)
4 Inspections & Safety Requirements

No township-mandated rental inspection cycle exists. Wayland Township does not perform routine inspections of rental properties because it has not adopted a rental-registration program.

What still applies:

  • 2018 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC): Wayland adopted the 2018 IPMC by reference under Ordinance O-09-2022 [3]. The Code regulates condition and maintenance of all property, buildings and structures, including standards for safe, sanitary, and fit occupation. Complaint-driven inspections can be triggered under the IPMC.
  • Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms: the Wayland Fire Department offers free smoke and combination smoke/CO alarms to township residents; installation can be scheduled by calling Firefighter Ryan Penny at 269-509-1703 [7].
  • Septic inspection on transfer: buyers of any property on septic should request an evaluation of existing systems from the Allegan County Health Department before closing [5]. Failed or undersized systems are a common surprise on older rural cottages.
📄 Ordinance O-09-2022 (IPMC)📄 County Septic & Well Forms📞 Free Smoke Alarm Install
5 Operating Rules (Occupancy, Quiet Hours, Parking)

No township-specific STR operating rules (occupancy caps, quiet hours, parking minimums) have been adopted. Operators are still bound by general township and state requirements:

  • Burn permits: outdoor burning requires a permit; guests should call 616-299-1306 before any fire, or apply online via Allegan County Central Dispatch [9].
  • Fireworks: Michigan’s Fireworks Safety Act governs consumer-fireworks days statewide; the township has not enacted further restrictions of its own published in the rental context.
  • Noise & nuisance: enforced by the Allegan County Sheriff (non-emergency dispatch) and any applicable township ordinances; the IPMC also gives the Zoning Administrator a path to address unsafe or nuisance conditions [3].
  • Septic-based occupancy ceiling: advertised guest count should not exceed the design capacity of the on-site septic system; reference the original construction permit on file with the County Health Department [5].
🔥 Allegan County Burn Permits📞 Burn Permit Line
6 Recent Changes & What to Watch

Wayland Township has been active on zoning amendments but has not (as of May 2026) introduced a dedicated STR ordinance. Recent activity worth tracking:

  • September 2024: Zoning Ordinance updated and reformatted; this is the current operative version [2].
  • 2023: Adoption of the Solar Energy Systems Ordinance (Section 3.49) and the Construction Ordinance [10].
  • 2022: Adoption of the 2018 IPMC (Ordinance O-09-2022) [3] and the Subdivision Ordinance (Ordinance O-08-2022) [11].
  • Planning Commission meets the second Wednesday of every month at 6:30 PM at the Township Hall (or as posted) [7]; a future rental ordinance would be discussed there first. Meeting minutes are published on the Zoning & Planning page.
⚠ Investor watch: Because there is no STR ordinance in place, a future ordinance could materially change the operating model. Underwrite STR-based valuations with a margin for a possible registration-fee, occupancy-cap, or zoning-restriction scenario in the next 1 to 3 years.
🔗 Zoning & Planning Page🗓 Township Calendar
1 Where LTRs Are Allowed (Zoning)

Long-term rentals (31+ day leases) are permitted wherever residential dwelling use is permitted under the Zoning Ordinance [2]. Wayland Township does not separately classify long-term rentals as a distinct use; a residential dwelling occupied by a tenant is treated the same as one occupied by the owner for zoning purposes.

For commercial, agricultural, or mixed-use-zoned parcels, residential dwelling use must itself be permitted (or grandfathered). Verify the parcel’s zoning district on the map below before assuming a residential rental is allowed.

Note: special restrictions apply to lots on lakes, rivers, and streams and to non-conforming lots, uses, and buildings; both are covered by published Zoning Ordinance amendments [12][13].

Wayland Township Zoning Map

Tap the map to open the adopted Zoning Map PDF.

🗺 Adopted Zoning Map (PDF)📄 Zoning Ordinance PDF📧 Ask Planning Commission
2 Registration & Permit Process

No township LTR registration is required. Wayland Township does not maintain a landlord registry, does not require an annual rental license, and does not perform routine LTR inspections.

Practical checklist for a Wayland Township long-term rental:

  • Confirm the parcel’s zoning district permits residential dwelling use [2].
  • Verify the property meets the 2018 IPMC standards Wayland has adopted [3].
  • Make sure on-site septic capacity supports the household size you plan to lease to [5].
  • Use a written lease that complies with Michigan landlord-tenant law (MCL 554.601 et seq.) [14].
Township submission requiredNone
Annual landlord licenseNone
Mandatory pre-occupancy inspectionNone (complaint-driven IPMC review only)
📄 MI Tenant & Landlord Guide🔗 Zoning & Planning Page
3 Fees & Penalties
LTR registration fee$0 (no program exists)
LTR annual renewal$0 (no program exists)
Zoning application & escrowPer Escrow Policy & Fee Schedule [8]
Security deposit cap (state law)Maximum 1.5x monthly rent per MCL 554.602 [14]

Penalties for IPMC or zoning violations follow Wayland’s standard ordinance enforcement remedies (municipal civil infractions, abatement orders).

📄 Escrow & Fee Schedule (PDF)
4 Inspections & Safety Requirements

No mandatory pre-occupancy or periodic LTR inspections are required by Wayland Township. The township’s only adopted property-condition standard for rental dwellings is the 2018 IPMC (via Ordinance O-09-2022) [3], which is complaint-driven; the Zoning Administrator (PCI) responds to citizen complaints about unsafe, unsanitary, or substandard conditions [4].

Smart-investor checklist before placing a tenant:

  • Working smoke alarms on every level and outside each sleeping area; CO alarms outside each sleeping area on any level with fuel-burning appliances or attached garage. Free alarms available from the Wayland Fire Dept [7].
  • GFCI protection at bathrooms, kitchens, garages, and exterior receptacles.
  • Documented septic evaluation and any pending repair items closed out with the County Health Department before occupancy [5].
  • Functional heat capable of maintaining 68F in habitable rooms per IPMC standards [3].
📄 Ordinance O-09-2022 (IPMC)📄 County Septic & Well Forms
5 Tenant Rights & Eviction Resources

Wayland Township has not adopted any local tenant-protection or just-cause eviction ordinance. Michigan landlord-tenant law applies as written. Key state-law touch points:

  • Security deposits: capped at 1.5x one month’s rent (MCL 554.602); written itemized statement of damages due within 30 days of move-out [14].
  • Notice to quit: 7-day notice for non-payment of rent; 30-day notice for termination of month-to-month tenancy [14].
  • Summary proceedings: evictions are filed in 57th District Court (Allegan County) [15] after the notice period expires.
  • Free legal help: the Allegan County Legal Assistance Center (ACLAC) provides free in-court help with landlord-tenant matters [16].
📄 MI Tenant & Landlord Guide⚖️ 57th District Court📞 Legal Assistance Center

Official Resources

Ordinances
📜
Wayland Township Zoning Ordinance
Updated & reformatted Sept 2024
📜
Ordinance O-09-2022 — 2018 IPMC Adoption
Property maintenance standards
📜
Ordinance O-08-2022 — Subdivision Control
Subdivision Ordinance
📜
Zoning Amendment — Lots on Lakes, Rivers & Streams
Waterfront-parcel rules
📜
Zoning Amendment — Non-Conforming Lots, Uses & Buildings
Grandfathering rules
Forms & Applications
📋
Escrow Policy & Fee Schedule
Zoning application fees
📋
Special Use Permits Procedures
Process & checklist
📋
Site Plan Review Procedures
Submission process
📋
Planning Commission Site Plan Review Checklist
What to include
📋
Procedures to Rezone Property
Rezoning process
📋
Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Procedures
Variance & appeals
📋
Allegan County Septic System Construction Permit
Onsite sewage / well permit
Maps
🗺
Wayland Township Zoning Map (Adopted 12/2/2019)
District boundaries
🗺
Wayland Township Future Land Use Map
Adopted 11/5/2019
🗺
Wayland Township Master Plan
Adopted version
🗺
Allegan County GIS Parcel Viewer
Parcels, utilities, tax info
Portals & Lookups
🔍
Wayland Township on BS&A Online
Tax & assessing lookup
🔍
Allegan County Property Records
Equalization Dept records
Contact & Directions
📞
Township Office
269-792-6394
📧
Township Clerk — Bob Fryling
clerk@waytwp.org
📧
Planning Commission Email
plcomm@waytwp.org
📞
Zoning Administrator (PCI)
616-877-2000
🌐
PCI — Professional Code Inspections
Contracted zoning admin
🗺
Directions to Township Hall
1060 129th Ave, Shelbyville
🏥
Allegan County Environmental Health
Septic & well — 269-673-5415
🌐
Wayland Township Website
Main municipal site

Property Tax Treatment

i
Important for investors: A property used as a rental in Michigan is generally classified as non-homestead, which is taxed at the full local millage rate (no Principal Residence Exemption). Short-term rental income may also be subject to the Michigan Use Tax on transient accommodations. Consult a CPA before underwriting any deal — these are not opinions, they are starting points for your own tax research.
📊
Michigan Property Tax Guide
PRE, millage, transfer rules
🏛
Michigan Treasury
State tax info

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 →

STRs Allowed
STRs Capped/Limited
STRs Heavily Restricted
STRs Not Allowed
Unverified
Guide Coming Soon

Looking at a property in a different county? View all Southwest Michigan rental guides →

Buying, selling, or investing in Wayland Township?

Allegan County's mix of rural townships with light rental rules and city/village programs with formal registration creates real underwriting differences from one parcel to the next. I help investors and homeowners evaluate Wayland Township and the surrounding US-131 corridor against the local rules that decide whether a property pencils.

Schedule a Consultation Call (269) 235-9910

Sources & Downloads

  1. 1
    Wayland Township, Michigan — Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayland_Township,_Michigan
    Population, area, housing units, Bradley/Shelbyville context
    Verified: 2026-05-12
  2. 2
    Wayland Township Zoning Ordinance (updated & reformatted Sept 2024) https://waytwp.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Wayland-TWP-Zoning-Ordinance-Updated-and-Reformatted-Sept-2024.pdf
    Current operative Zoning Ordinance — district use rules
    Verified: 2026-05-12
  3. 3
    Wayland Township Ordinance O-09-2022 — Adopting 2018 IPMC https://waytwp.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/OrdinanceO092022adopting2018IPMC.doc
    Township adoption of the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code
    Verified: 2026-05-12
  4. 4
    Wayland Township — Zoning & Planning Department Page https://waytwp.org/departments/zoning/
    Lists zoning administrator (PCI), planning commission contact, ordinances and master plan
    Verified: 2026-05-12
  5. 5
    Allegan County Environmental Health — Field Services https://www.allegancounty.org/health/environmental-health/field
    Septic system construction permits, evaluation of existing systems, water and sewage regulations
    Verified: 2026-05-12
  6. 6
    Michigan Department of Treasury — Sales & Use Tax https://www.michigan.gov/taxes/business-taxes/sales-use-tax
    6% state use tax applies to transient lodging rentals of less than 30 days
    Verified: 2026-05-12
  7. 7
    Wayland Township — Home Page (news, meetings, fire dept) https://waytwp.org/
    Planning Commission meeting schedule, free smoke/CO alarm program, ordinance listing
    Verified: 2026-05-12
  8. 8
    Wayland Township — Escrow Policy & Fee Schedule https://waytwp.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/ESCROWCOPYSESTwConstruct092023.pdf
    Escrow and zoning application fees (added 9/15/2023)
    Verified: 2026-05-12
  9. 9
    Allegan County Central Dispatch — Burn Permits https://www.allegancounty.org/departments/central-dispatch/burn-permits
    Burn permit application; phone line 616-299-1306
    Verified: 2026-05-12
  10. 10
    Wayland Township — 2023 Solar Energy Systems Ordinance https://waytwp.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/OrdinanceO052023SolarEnergySystems-3.49.docx
    Solar Energy Systems Ordinance (Section 3.49), adopted 2023
    Verified: 2026-05-12
  11. 11
    Wayland Township Subdivision Ordinance (O-08-2022) https://waytwp.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ORDO082022subdivision-1.docx
    Subdivision Control Ordinance
    Verified: 2026-05-12
  12. 12
    Wayland Township — Lots on Lakes, Rivers & Streams Amendment https://waytwp.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/ordinance-amend-lots-on-lakes-rivers-streams.pdf
    Zoning amendment specific to waterfront parcels
    Verified: 2026-05-12
  13. 13
    Wayland Township — Non-Conforming Lots, Uses & Buildings Amendment https://waytwp.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/ordinance-amend-non-conforming.pdf
    Grandfathering rules for non-conforming lots, uses, structures
    Verified: 2026-05-12
  14. 14
    Michigan Legislature — A Practical Guide for Tenants & Landlords https://www.legislature.mi.gov/publications/tenantlandlord.pdf
    Statewide landlord-tenant law, security deposit caps, eviction process
    Verified: 2026-05-12
  15. 15
    Allegan County — 57th District Court https://www.allegancounty.org/courts-law-enforcement/57th-district-court
    Court of jurisdiction for landlord-tenant summary proceedings in Allegan County
    Verified: 2026-05-12
  16. 16
    Allegan County Legal Assistance Center (ACLAC) https://www.allegancounty.org/courts-law-enforcement/legal-assistance-center-aclac
    Free in-court help with landlord-tenant matters
    Verified: 2026-05-12
How this guide is produced. This rental guide is researched and drafted with assistance from Claude, an AI model made by Anthropic, working from the official municipal sources linked in this page. AI can make mistakes — any fact that would materially affect a purchase or rental decision should be verified against the official source cited above and confirmed directly with the municipality. See an error? Email a correction.