Zeeland

The City of Zeeland does not have a separate short-term rental zoning overlay or STR-specific use category. Residential rental use (any term) is permitted in the city’s residential districts (R-1, R-2, R-3, and RMH) subject to standard registration and inspection under Article X ^[1].

The Zeeland Zoning Ordinance is published online through Municode ^[3]; the city’s official zoning map (dated 2/3/2025) shows district boundaries ^[4]. For any specific property, verify the zoning district on the map below, then confirm with the Community Development Department that the proposed rental use is permitted in that district.

🗺 Open the City of Zeeland Zoning Map (PDF)

Submit a completed Rental Property Registration Form to the Community Development Department (in person, by mail, or by email) along with the $15/unit registration fee. The same form covers short-term and long-term rentals ^[2].

Fee schedule under Section 10-278 of the City Code ^[1]:

Operating a rental without a valid Certificate of Compliance is a city ordinance violation enforceable by appearance ticket or civil infraction ^[1].

Every rental unit is inspected on a three-year cycle against the city’s adopted property maintenance code (2021 International Property Maintenance Code) ^[5]. Complaints, exterior code observations, or a report of heating-system / hot-water / five-or-more-violations history may trigger inspections more often ^[1].

What the inspector typically checks (representative items from the city’s published Property Maintenance Checklist) ^[6]:

• Smoke alarms on each level, in each sleeping room, and in the vicinity of sleeping rooms (battery-powered units acceptable).
• Heating system: independently certified by a licensed mechanical contractor on a separate form ^[7]; checked every 3 years.
• Egress: every sleeping room must have proper egress; bedrooms must contain at least 70 sq ft.
• Electrical: service of at least 100 amps; GFCI outlets in bathroom, kitchen, laundry; all knob-and-tube replaced.
• Plumbing: adequate hot/cold water, no leaks, drains clear, fixtures operable.
• Water heater: T&P valve, drip leg, properly vented.
• Exterior: address numbers visible (4 inches high or more), roof and siding weatherproof, handrails on stairs over 30 inches off the ground, no unlicensed vehicles on lawn.

The owner is given at least 30 days after the initial inspection to correct violations before re-inspection ^[2]. One re-inspection is included in the inspection fee.

Zeeland does not publish STR-specific quiet-hour or occupancy rules beyond the citywide noise, nuisance, and property maintenance ordinances codified in the City Code ^[8]. Operators are still responsible for:

• Maximum occupancy: declared on the registration form and bounded by the IPMC room-size standards (bedrooms at least 70 sq ft, living rooms at least 120 sq ft, 7 ft minimum ceiling height) ^[6].
• Parking: no parking or driving on unpaved surfaces (lawn or yard) per the property maintenance code ^[6].
• Trash & exterior maintenance: yard growth under 10 inches (excluding ordinary landscaping); no rubbish or debris stored on the property ^[6].
• General noise/nuisance: conduct that disturbs neighbors is enforceable by the Zeeland Police Department.

Every rental property must designate a Responsible Local Agent with a Michigan residence, identified on the registration form by name, address, phone, and email ^[1]. Out-of-state owners who do not personally reside in Michigan must name an in-state agent.

Under Section 10-274(4), the Responsible Local Agent is accountable for:

• Operating the rental in compliance with all applicable city ordinances;
• Providing access for inspections (except where the tenant refuses entry);
• Maintaining a current list of occupants for each unit; and
• Accepting legal notices and service of process on behalf of the property ^[1].

The city will initially contact the designated agent for all matters relating to the rental inspection program, but the property owner remains responsible for any issue not resolved through the agent ^[2].