Rental Investment Guide

City of Norton Shores

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

Updated May 2026
📞
Rental Inspections (Muskegon Twp on behalf of Norton Shores)
231-777-2555 ext. 1131
📧
Rental Clerk (Muskegon Twp)
RClerk@muskegontwp.org
🗺
Directions
4814 Henry Street, Norton Shores, MI 49441
🌐
City Website
nortonshores.org

Area Overview

Norton Shores is a Lake Michigan shoreline city in Muskegon County, directly south of the City of Muskegon and bordering Muskegon Lake, Mona Lake, and Little Black Lake. The 2020 Census put the population at 25,030, making Norton Shores the second-largest city in Muskegon County and the largest suburban municipality on the county’s south side [1]. The city spans roughly 24.6 square miles and includes the Muskegon County Airport, the P.J. Hoffmaster State Park entrance corridor, and several established lakefront neighborhoods around Mona Lake.

Rental regulation in Norton Shores is governed by Chapter 8 (Buildings and Building Regulations) of the City Code, which requires every non-owner-occupied dwelling to register with the rental inspection program and to be inspected on a periodic cycle [2]. The City contracts with Muskegon Charter Township for day-to-day administration of rental registration and inspections; landlord-facing paperwork, fees, and inspection scheduling all flow through the Township’s Rental Inspections unit at 1990 E. Apple Ave. [3][4]. Norton Shores has not adopted a separate short-term rental ordinance or cap, so STRs operate under the same rental registration framework as long-term rentals, with the additional layer of the countywide 5% accommodation tax administered by Visit Muskegon [5].

Quick Status Summary

Short-Term Rentals ALLOWED — REGISTER + TAX

Norton Shores does not have a separate short-term rental cap or zoning overlay. Hosts must (a) register the dwelling under Chapter 8 of the City Code through the Muskegon Township-administered rental inspection program [2][4], (b) collect and remit the 5% Muskegon County accommodation tax on stays of 30 nights or fewer [5][6], and (c) operate the property in compliance with the underlying zoning district [7]. Verify the property’s zoning before listing, since dwelling-as-lodging activity must still match the residential use of the parcel.

Long-Term Rentals REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Long-term rentals are permitted citywide subject to rental registration and periodic inspection under Chapter 8 of the City Code [2]. Applications go to Muskegon Charter Township, the authorized administrator for Norton Shores’ rental inspection program [4]. Registration fees are $35 per dwelling unit for the first five units per building and $15 per unit thereafter [4]. If the owner lives more than 30 miles from the city, a responsible local agent must be designated on the registration [4][2].

Rental Regulations

1 Where STRs Are Allowed (Zoning)

Short-term rentals follow the underlying residential zoning of the parcel — Norton Shores has not adopted a separate STR overlay, cap, or special-use requirement at the city level [7]. A dwelling that is permitted as a residence under Chapter 48 of the City Code can be rented short-term, provided the owner registers the dwelling with Muskegon Township and remits the 5% county accommodation tax [2][5].

Because Norton Shores has no STR-specific zoning text, the practical zoning question for an investor is simply “is this parcel a permitted single-family or multi-family dwelling?” For lakefront parcels around Mona Lake and Little Black Lake, also check the underlying district for setbacks and accessory-use rules that may affect detached structures used by guests.

Honesty note: The full Chapter 48 zoning text on Municode is paginated by article and division; if you’re underwriting a specific parcel, confirm the district designation on the city zoning map and verify in writing with the Planning & Zoning office before assuming STR use is permitted [8][9].

City of Norton Shores Zoning Map (PDF)

Click the map to open the official PDF.

🗺 Zoning Map (PDF)📄 Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 48)📧 Ask Planning & Zoning
2 Registration & Permit Process

Submit Form RR-1 (Application for Rental / Non-Owner Occupied Dwelling Registration) to Muskegon Charter Township at 1990 E. Apple Avenue, Muskegon, MI 49442, or email the fillable PDF to RClerk@muskegontwp.org [4][3]. Muskegon Township is the authorized administrator for the Norton Shores rental inspection program; the City of Norton Shores itself does not process rental correspondence.

Submission pathIn person or by mail to Muskegon Township Hall, 1990 E. Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442, or email RClerk@muskegontwp.org [3][4]
Required documentsForm RR-1 (owner + local agent info); Multiple Properties Form if registering multiple properties; copy of land contract if applicable [4]
Registration cyclePeriodic — re-register and re-inspect on the cycle set by the inspector under Chapter 8 [2]
Local agent requirementRequired if owner does not reside within a 30-mile radius of the city (Sec. 8-117) [4][2]
Accommodation tax registrationSTR operators must also register with Muskegon County / Visit Muskegon for the 5% accommodation tax [5][6]
For investors: Out-of-area buyers should line up a local agent (a property manager or other qualifying individual within 30 miles) before closing — the registration form will not be accepted without one if the owner address is outside the radius [4].
📋 Norton Shores Rental Reg. Form RR-1 (PDF)📋 Multiple Properties Worksheet📧 Email Rental Clerk📞 Call Rental Inspections
3 Fees & Penalties

Norton Shores rental registration fees are calculated per property, not per portfolio, on the dwelling-unit count for each building [4].

Registration fee — first 5 units$35.00 per unit (up to and including 5 units per building) [4]
Registration fee — units 6+$15.00 per unit for each unit over 5 per building [4]
Late / non-filed registration“Forms without fees or required information will be returned unaccepted and the property will not be registered” — Township policy [4]; civil-infraction enforcement available under Chapter 22 of the City Code [10]
Accommodation tax (STR)5% of gross lodging receipts on stays of 30 nights or fewer; returns and payments due the 15th of the month following the reporting period [5][6]
Re-inspection / additional inspectionsPer Muskegon Township fee schedule — confirm before scheduling at (231) 777-2555 ext. 1131 [3]

Make registration-fee checks payable to Charter Township of Muskegon; accommodation-tax payments go through the Visit Muskegon Granicus portal [4][5].

📄 Fee Schedule on Form RR-1💵 Granicus Tax Portal
4 Inspections & Safety Requirements

Norton Shores rentals (long-term and short-term) are inspected on the cycle assigned by the Muskegon Township rental inspector under the city’s Chapter 8 program [2][3]. The inspector uses the same Typical Inspection Items checklist published by the Township for other communities it administers [11].

  • Smoke / CO alarms. Working alarms required on every level and in each sleeping room per the Michigan Residential Code.
  • Egress windows. Each sleeping room must have a compliant egress window or exterior door.
  • Electrical / plumbing / heating. Working order, GFCI in wet locations, no open splices, properly vented heating equipment.
  • Exterior & property maintenance. Roof, siding, stairs, handrails, walks, and grounds maintained per the Property Maintenance Code.
  • Re-inspection invoicing. If violations require a follow-up visit, the Township bills the owner directly per its fee schedule [3].
For investors: Pre-walk new acquisitions against the Township’s Typical Inspection Items checklist before the first formal inspection — the most common cited items (alarms, GFCI, handrails, exterior maintenance) are cheap to fix in advance but expensive to fix during a re-inspection cycle.
📄 Typical Inspection Items (PDF)🌐 Rental Inspections Page📞 Schedule Inspection
5 Operating Rules (Occupancy, Quiet Hours, Parking)

STR operators are bound by Chapter 8 (rental registration), the underlying zoning rules of the parcel, and the city’s general nuisance, noise, and parking ordinances enforced through Chapter 22 of the City Code [2][7][10].

  • Occupancy. Maximum occupancy is driven by the dwelling’s bedrooms and egress capacity under the Michigan Residential Code; do not advertise sleeping capacity beyond what the dwelling lawfully supports.
  • Quiet hours. Citywide noise rules apply; loud-party complaints are typically handled by the Norton Shores Police Department through Chapter 22 enforcement [10].
  • Parking. On-site parking required per the underlying zoning district; on-street guest parking is subject to neighborhood and seasonal parking rules.
  • Posting the registration. Best practice is to post the current rental registration and a 24-hour local-agent contact card inside the unit so guests can identify who to call.
  • Code enforcement. Norton Shores has an Ordinance Enforcement Officer who acts on complaints about unmaintained or non-compliant rentals; repeat violations can be referred for civil-infraction enforcement [10].
📄 Chapter 22 (Offenses / Noise)📄 Chapter 8 (Rental)📞 Call Norton Shores PD
6 Accommodation Tax (5% Muskegon County)

STR operators in Norton Shores must collect and remit a 5% Muskegon County accommodation tax on every stay of 30 nights or fewer [5][6]. The tax is authorized by Muskegon County Ordinance No. 2013-406 and administered by the Muskegon County Convention and Visitors Bureau (Visit Muskegon) through the Granicus online portal.

Rate5% of gross lodging receipts on stays ≤ 30 nights [5][6]
Due date15th of the month following the reporting period — even if you had no reservations [5]
Filing methodOnline via the Granicus Self-Service portal; quarterly paper form available for seasonal-only properties [5]
Platform pass-throughAirbnb and Vrbo do not automatically collect Muskegon County accommodation tax on the host’s behalf; the host is responsible for collection and remittance.
💵 Granicus Tax Portal📄 Tax Ordinance No. 2013-406 (PDF)🌐 Accommodation Tax Resources
1 Where LTRs Are Allowed (Zoning)

Long-term residential rentals are permitted in every residential zoning district in Norton Shores. Chapter 8 of the City Code requires all non-owner-occupied dwellings to be registered, but it does not restrict the zoning districts where rentals may operate beyond the underlying use of the parcel [2][7].

For mixed-use or commercial parcels, verify residential dwelling use against the use table in the district’s Chapter 48 article before underwriting a long-term tenancy [7].

City of Norton Shores Zoning Map (PDF)

Click the map to open the official PDF.

🗺 Zoning Map (PDF)📄 Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 48)📧 Ask Planning & Zoning
2 Annual Registration & Inspection Program

Submit Form RR-1 to Muskegon Charter Township at 1990 E. Apple Avenue, Muskegon, MI 49442, or email the fillable PDF to RClerk@muskegontwp.org before allowing occupancy [4][3]. Muskegon Township is the authorized administrator for the Norton Shores rental inspection program; the City of Norton Shores itself does not process rental correspondence.

Submission pathIn person or by mail to Muskegon Township Hall, 1990 E. Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442, or email RClerk@muskegontwp.org [3][4]
Required documentsForm RR-1 (owner + local agent); Multiple Properties Form for portfolio filings; copy of land contract if buying on contract [4]
Registration cyclePeriodic — re-register and re-inspect on the cycle set by the inspector under Chapter 8 [2]
Local agent requirementRequired if owner is more than 30 miles from the city (Sec. 8-117) [4][2]
Ownership changeUse the Township’s Affidavit of New Ownership to notify the inspector when a registered rental is sold [12]

Forms submitted without fees or required information are returned unaccepted and the property will not be registered [4]. Plan your closing-to-listing timeline accordingly.

📋 Norton Shores Rental Reg. Form RR-1📝 Affidavit of New Ownership📧 Email Rental Clerk
3 Fees & Penalties

LTR registration fees in Norton Shores are calculated per building, not on the owner’s total portfolio [4].

Registration fee — first 5 units per building$35.00 per unit (max $175 for the first five units) [4]
Registration fee — units 6+ per building$15.00 per unit for each additional unit [4]
Returned filingForms without fees or required information are returned unaccepted; the property remains unregistered until the deficiency is cured [4]
Operating without registrationSubject to civil-infraction enforcement under Chapter 22 of the City Code [10]

Make registration-fee checks payable to Charter Township of Muskegon, 1990 E. Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442 [4].

📄 Fee Schedule (Form RR-1)📞 Confirm Current Fees
4 Inspections & Safety Requirements

Every Norton Shores rental unit is inspected on the cycle assigned by the Muskegon Township rental inspector under Chapter 8 of the City Code [2][3]. The Township publishes a Typical Inspection Items checklist (Form RH-7) that catalogs the items inspectors most commonly cite [11].

  • Smoke alarms, CO alarms, egress windows. Required on every level and in each sleeping room per the Michigan Residential Code.
  • Electrical / plumbing / heating. Working order, GFCI in wet locations, no exposed splices, properly vented heating equipment.
  • Exterior & property maintenance. Roof, siding, stairs, handrails, walks, and grounds maintained per the Property Maintenance Code.
  • Vacant-period appeals. If a unit will be temporarily vacant, the Township’s Agreement Not to Occupy form lets you defer an inspection without losing the registration [13].
  • Appeals. Owners may appeal an inspector’s decision using the Township’s Housing Appeal Form (HA-1) [14].
📄 Typical Inspection Items (PDF)📝 Housing Appeal Form (HA-1)🌐 Rental Inspections Page
5 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 [15]. These rules apply in Norton Shores and are not modified by local ordinance.

Tenants with concerns about an unregistered or unsafe rental in Norton Shores can file a complaint directly with the Muskegon Township Rental Inspections unit, which administers the Norton Shores program. Local nonprofits, including Legal Aid of Western Michigan, provide free counsel for income-qualified tenants in Muskegon County.

📖 Tenant-Landlord Guide (State Bar)📝 Rental Complaint Form📞 Rental Inspections

Official Resources

Ordinances
📜
City Code Chapter 8 — Buildings & Building Regulations (Rental)
Authoritative rental registration ordinance
📜
City Code Chapter 48 — Zoning
All zoning districts and use regulations
📜
City Code Chapter 22 — Offenses / Civil Infractions
Noise, nuisance, and code enforcement framework
📜
Muskegon County Accommodation Tax Ordinance (No. 2013-406)
5% county accommodation tax — reference PDF
Forms & Applications
📋
Norton Shores Rental Registration Form (RR-1)
2025 fillable PDF — fees + local agent
📋
Multiple Properties Worksheet
Companion form for portfolio filings
📋
Typical Inspection Items (RH-7)
Pre-inspection checklist used by the Township inspector
📝
Affidavit of New Ownership
Notify inspector when a rental changes hands
📝
Statement of Occupancy
Township form for occupancy declarations
📝
Housing Appeal Form (HA-1)
Appeal an inspector's decision
📝
Rental Complaint Form (Tenants / Neighbors)
Report an unsafe or unregistered rental
📋
Agreement Not to Occupy (Single Family)
Defer inspection when a unit is temporarily vacant
Maps
🗺
Norton Shores Zoning Map (PDF, 2017)
Citywide zoning districts
🗺
Muskegon County GIS Property Viewer
Parcels, utilities, sewer, tax info
Portals & Lookups
📌
Norton Shores Building Division
Building permits + rental inspector contact
📌
Muskegon Township Rental Inspections
Authorized administrator for Norton Shores rentals
💵
Muskegon County Accommodation Tax — Granicus Portal
STR 5% tax filing + payment
🌐
Visit Muskegon — Accommodation Tax Resources
Forms, FAQs, monthly vs. seasonal filers
Contact & Directions
📞
Rental Inspections (Muskegon Twp)
(231) 777-2555 ext. 1131 — administrator for Norton Shores
📞
Norton Shores City Hall (Main)
(231) 798-4391 — 4814 Henry Street
📧
Planning & Zoning — Ted Woodcock
twoodcock@nortonshores.org
🏥
Public Health – Muskegon County (Environmental Health)
Septic & well — (231) 724-6208
Other Resources
🏛
Main Municipal Site — City of Norton Shores
Official city website

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 — Muskegon County

Every municipality in Muskegon County. Click any to view its rental guide — or request one if it’s not yet live. View the Muskegon 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 Norton Shores?

I help investors and homeowners navigate short-term and long-term rental rules across Muskegon County and the rest of southwest Michigan — including the Mona Lake, Lake Michigan shoreline, and inland Norton Shores neighborhoods where rental economics often hinge on local details.

Schedule a Consultation Call (269) 235-9910

Sources & Downloads

  1. 1
    U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts — Norton Shores city, Michigan https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/nortonshorescitymichigan
    2020 Census population of Norton Shores: 25,030.
    Verified: 2026-05-15
  2. 2
    Norton Shores Code of Ordinances — Chapter 8 (Buildings & Building Regulations) https://library.municode.com/mi/norton_shores/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COORNOSHMI_CH8BUBURE
    Authoritative rental registration ordinance, including Section 8-117 (responsible local agent requirement for owners outside 30-mile radius).
    Verified: 2026-05-15
  3. 3
    Muskegon Township Rental Inspections Page https://muskegontwpmi.gov/rental-inspections/
    Confirms Muskegon Township is the authorized administrator for the Norton Shores rental inspection program. Lists forms, contact, address, and email RClerk@muskegontwp.org.
    Verified: 2026-05-15
  4. 4
    Norton Shores Rental Registration Form RR-1 (PDF, Oct 2025) https://muskegontwpmi.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Norton-Shores-Rental-Registration-RR-1.pdf
    Official registration application. Documents fee schedule ($35/unit first 5, $15/unit 6+), local-agent requirement under Sec. 8-117, and submission address.
    Verified: 2026-05-15
  5. 5
    Visit Muskegon — Accommodation Tax Resources https://www.visitmuskegon.org/accommodation-tax-resources/
    Documents 5% Muskegon County accommodation tax on stays <= 30 nights; returns due 15th of month following reporting period; Granicus online filing.
    Verified: 2026-05-15
  6. 6
    Muskegon County Accommodation Tax Ordinance (No. 2013-406) https://assets.simpleviewinc.com/simpleview/image/upload/v1/clients/muskegonmi/Accomm_Tax_Ordinance_NO_2013_406_Muskegon_County_bfcd0d43-9eb8-4e21-8653-0048395e1572.pdf
    Authoritative county ordinance establishing the 5% accommodation tax.
    Verified: 2026-05-15
  7. 7
    Norton Shores Code of Ordinances — Chapter 48 (Zoning) https://library.municode.com/mi/norton_shores/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COORNOSHMI_CH48ZO
    City zoning ordinance. No separate short-term-rental overlay or cap was located in the chapter as of verification.
    Verified: 2026-05-15
  8. 8
    Norton Shores Ordinances & Zoning Map page https://nortonshores.org/ordinances
    City landing page linking to Municode and to the official zoning map PDF.
    Verified: 2026-05-15
  9. 9
    Norton Shores Zoning Map (PDF, 2017) https://nortonshores.org/vertical/sites/%7BC3E34314-82E6-474C-8FD2-4278A63E8331%7D/uploads/2017-Zoning-Map.pdf
    Official citywide zoning map.
    Verified: 2026-05-15
  10. 10
    Norton Shores Code of Ordinances — Chapter 22 (Offenses, Civil Infractions, Noise) https://library.municode.com/mi/norton_shores/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COORNOSHMI_CH22OF_ARTIINGE_S22-1DICO
    Civil-infraction framework used for noise, nuisance, and rental-ordinance enforcement.
    Verified: 2026-05-15
  11. 11
    Muskegon Township Typical Inspection Items (Form RH-7) https://muskegontwpmi.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Typical_Inspection_Items_RH-7.pdf
    Pre-inspection checklist used by the rental inspector across communities the Township administers, including Norton Shores.
    Verified: 2026-05-15
  12. 12
    Muskegon Township Affidavit of New Ownership https://muskegontwpmi.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/SALE-AFFIDAVIT-002.pdf
    Form used to notify the rental inspector when ownership of a registered rental changes.
    Verified: 2026-05-15
  13. 13
    Muskegon Township Agreement Not to Occupy (Single Family) https://muskegontwpmi.gov/agreement-not-to-occupy-single-residence-form/
    Form used to defer an inspection cycle when a unit is temporarily vacant.
    Verified: 2026-05-15
  14. 14
    Muskegon Township Housing Appeal Form (HA-1) https://muskegontwpmi.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Housing-Appeal-Form-HA-1-002.pdf
    Form to appeal a rental inspector's decision.
    Verified: 2026-05-15
  15. 15
    State Bar of Michigan — Practical Guide for Tenants and Landlords https://www.legislature.mi.gov/publications/tenantlandlord.pdf
    Statewide tenant-landlord reference covering leases, security deposits, repairs, and evictions.
    Verified: 2026-05-15
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.