North Muskegon

STRs are not permitted by right anywhere in North Muskegon. They are allowed only as a Special Land Use, with Planning Commission approval, in three specific districts: R-2 (Medium Density Residential), R-3 (High Density Residential), and NC (Neighborhood Service Commercial) ^[3]. Single-family R-1 districts and all other zones do not permit STR use.

The Special Land Use process requires a written application, site plan, mailed notice to neighboring property owners, and a public hearing before the Planning Commission. Approval is discretionary and may be conditioned on parking, occupancy, or screening requirements set by the Commission.

For any specific property, verify the zoning district on the map below, then confirm with the Zoning Administrator before signing a purchase agreement.

Click the map to open the full-size image. The base land-use map dates to 2002; zoning amendments since then are codified in Appendix A of the Code of Ordinances.

STR operators must complete two parallel processes: (1) a Special Land Use application to the Planning Commission to get permission to operate an STR at the parcel, and (2) annual rental dwelling registration under Chapter 10 of the City Code ^[3][4].

Step 1 — Special Land Use application. Submit the Special Land Use Application form (PDF) to the Planning & Zoning Department at City Hall along with the applicable fee. The Planning Commission holds a public hearing with mailed notice to neighbors within the statutory radius. Approval may be conditioned on parking, occupancy, and operating standards. Email permits@northmuskegon.org with permit submissions ^[2].

Step 2 — Annual Rental Registration (Form RR-1). Complete the North Muskegon Rental Registration form (RR-1), mail or deliver it with payment to Muskegon Charter Township at 1990 E. Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442. The township performs the inspection and renews the registration on behalf of the city ^[5][7].

STR operators pay rental registration fees on the same schedule as long-term rentals, plus the Special Land Use application fee and Muskegon County’s 5% accommodation tax on every booking ^[5][6]. The published city fee schedule sets a single Special Land Use application fee; contact City Hall for the current amount before applying.

Rental registration checks are payable to Charter Township of Muskegon. Accommodation tax payments go to the Muskegon County Treasurer through the Granicus reporting system ^[6].

All registered rentals receive a property inspection performed by Muskegon Charter Township staff on behalf of the city under contract ^[2][7]. Inspections follow the Township’s standard residential checklist, which is built around the International Property Maintenance Code.

Typical inspection items flagged include:

• Operational smoke detectors in every sleeping room and on every floor.
• Carbon monoxide detectors outside sleeping areas where fuel-burning appliances are present.
• GFCI outlets in kitchens, bathrooms, and exterior locations.
• Egress windows in bedrooms below grade.
• Handrails on stairs of more than three risers and guardrails on landings/decks above 30 inches.
• Working heat and plumbing; no exposed electrical wiring or missing panel covers.
• Properly maintained exterior (no peeling paint, intact siding, weather-tight roof).

Re-inspections are scheduled after corrections are completed. The rental inspection supervisor is Toby Fredricksen at the Township ^[2].

STR operations are bound by the conditions attached to the Special Land Use approval, the city’s general nuisance and noise provisions in Chapter 22 ^[8], and standard zoning operating rules. The Planning Commission may impose property-specific conditions during the Special Land Use hearing covering maximum occupancy, parking, signage, and trash management.

• Maximum occupancy: Typically set by the Planning Commission per property; no city-wide formula is published. Owners should plan to operate at residential-density occupancy levels rather than commercial lodging densities.
• Off-street parking: The Special Land Use approval typically requires sufficient on-site parking so that guest vehicles do not impose on neighboring lots or block public right-of-way.
• Trash & recycling: Containers must be returned to a screened/side-yard location promptly after collection; long-term curbside storage is a nuisance violation.
• Noise: The city’s general nuisance ordinance prohibits noise that disturbs the peace; complaints are handled by the North Muskegon Police Department.
• Local agent: If the owner does not reside within 30 miles of City Hall, a local responsible agent must be designated on the registration form for service of notices and complaint response ^[5].

Per Section 10-193 of the City’s rental ordinance, if the property owner does not reside within a 30-mile radius of City Hall (or if a management company has physical control of the property), the owner must designate a local responsible agent on the rental registration form ^[5]. The agent receives all official notices on the owner’s behalf, and notice served on the agent is deemed served on the owner of record.

For STR operators with Chicago, Detroit, or Grand Rapids-based ownership, this means an in-area property manager, neighbor, or family member must be named on Form RR-1 and reachable for code enforcement and guest issues.

All Muskegon County short-term rentals must collect and remit a 5% accommodation tax on stays of 30 nights or fewer to the Muskegon County Treasurer ^[6]. As of June 23, 2025, the county switched to the Granicus reporting system for monthly returns. Returns and payments are due by the 15th of the month following the reporting period.

Marketplace facilitators (Airbnb, Vrbo) typically do not collect this local Muskegon County tax automatically. Operators should plan to either configure direct local-tax remittance on the platform where supported, or remit manually through Granicus each month.