Grand Haven

New STR certifications are only available in these districts and developments:

• Southside — only properties fronting on Franklin between 5th and Harbor ^[1]
• Old Town — only on Key Street Segments, subject to special use approval ^[1]
• Central Business District (CBD) ^[1]
• Dune Residential — subject to special use approval ^[1]
• Waterfront-2 ^[1]
• Centertown Overlay — by special land use, effective September 9, 2025; first floor along Washington Ave and Seventh St must remain commercial/retail ^[2]
• Named developments: Grand Landing, The Elliott on Seventh, Harbourfront Condos ^[1]

Even within an eligible district, the property must be a legal conforming use and provide at least 2 paved off-street parking spaces to qualify ^[1][3]. Existing certified STRs may transfer to new owners when a property is sold ^[1], a meaningful difference from many neighboring jurisdictions.

Open the STR Eligibility Map (PDF) for the parcel-level reference. Properties shown as “potentially eligible” may still be ineligible due to parking, land use, or private covenants. Confirm with the City Planner.

Submit the Rental Registration Form by mail or in person to the Department of Public Safety, 525 Washington Avenue, Grand Haven, MI 49417 ^[1]. The City does not use a third-party online portal for rental registration.

Violations are processed as municipal civil infractions. Owners, property managers, local agents, and tenants/occupants may each be cited for disruptive behavior ^[3].

All new STRs and STRs being transferred to a new owner require a Rental Housing Inspection before a Certificate of Compliance is issued ^[1][4]. The initial $525 fee covers one inspection. Inspections use the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code as the baseline standard ^[4].

What inspectors check:

• Bedroom occupancy math: 70 sq ft for 1 person, 100 sq ft for 2, 150 sq ft for 3; minimum 7-foot ceiling; basement bedrooms must have an egress window no higher than 42 inches from the floor ^[4].
• Smoke detectors in every bedroom, outside every sleeping area, and on every level; hard-wired with battery backup or 10-year sealed lithium ^[4].
• Egress: Continuous unobstructed path; no double-keyed deadbolts on egress doors; no deadbolts on interior bedroom doors ^[4].
• GFCI where required; no exposed wiring; no extension cords; junction-box covers in place ^[4].
• Plumbing: Toilet bolted, tub/shower caulked, all fixtures functional; bath ventilation by window or mechanical fan ^[4].
• Exterior: Sound roof, gutters, foundation; no peeling exterior paint; trip-free walks and steps; handrails on 4+ riser stairs ^[4].

The STR Certificate of Compliance lists the maximum sleeping occupancy; this number must be posted inside the unit and may not be exceeded in advertising ^[3][5].

STR operators must comply with the rules summarized in the City’s Rental Regulations brochure, which is required to be displayed inside the unit ^[5].

• Sleeping occupancy is fixed by the Certificate of Compliance; the number cannot be advertised higher ^[5].
• Off-street parking: Minimum 2 paved spaces for STR; cars, boats, trailers, and RVs must park on a paved surface, not on grass or right-of-way ^[5].
• Boats/trailers/RVs: May be stored in a driveway in the front yard for no more than 5 consecutive days in any 30-day period; sleeping/living in a camper/RV/trailer on the property is prohibited ^[5].
• Winter street parking ban: No parking on any City street December 1 through March 31, 2 a.m. to 6 a.m., enforced regardless of snow ^[5].
• Quiet hours: No amplified music or instruments 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.; no yelling/shouting/singing in public 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. ^[5].
• Vehicle stereos: Audible >50 ft (7 a.m. to 11 p.m.) or >25 ft (11 p.m. to 7 a.m.) is unlawful ^[5].
• Garbage: All garbage in approved leak-proof containers; premises must be free of accumulated rubbish ^[5].
• Recreational fires: Wood-only, contained in a pit/ring at least 25 ft from any structure, constantly attended with water/extinguisher at hand ^[5].
• Fireworks: Permitted only the day before, of, and after approved holidays under Michigan law; not between 1 a.m. and 8 a.m. ^[5].
• Pets: Leashed (max 6 ft / 25 ft retractable); not at large; not on beaches or in parks; owners must pick up waste ^[5].

STR owners are responsible for ensuring renters comply with city ordinances and for being reachable to respond to complaints. Disruptive behavior at an STR can be cited against the owner, property manager, local agent, tenant, or occupant ^[3].

• Non-Emergency Police / Code Enforcement: 616-842-3460 (Department of Public Safety)
• Rental Program / Community Development: 616-847-3490
• City Hall main: 616-842-3210
• Emergency: 911
• Registered STR list (PDF): City-published list. Use to verify whether a specific address is a certified STR.

Grand Haven made one significant STR change in the most recent 12 months.

• August 18, 2025: City Council unanimously adopted an amendment to Chapter 40 Sections 40-411 and 40-513 to allow STRs in the Centertown Overlay by special land use ^[2].
• September 9, 2025: Amendment took effect ^[2].
• Centertown geography: Roughly 2.5 blocks west of US-31/Beacon Blvd., between Columbus Ave (north) and Franklin Ave (south), the railroad tracks (west), and 8th St (east). Approximately 23 additional parcels became eligible ^[2].
• Ground-floor commercial requirement: All “usable space” on the first floor facing Washington Avenue and Seventh Street must remain 100% commercial or retail. STR units must be on upper floors ^[2].
• Special use cost: $350 processing fee, public hearing required; annual rental registration ($165) is additive ^[2].
• City-wide STR count: As of the August 2025 vote, approximately 350 active STRs existed in Grand Haven ^[2].