Muskegon Charter Township

Rental Inspections Clerk

RClerk@muskegontwp.org

1990 E. Apple Avenue, Muskegon, MI 49442

Directions

🌐

muskegontwpmi.gov

Area Overview

Muskegon Charter Township sits in central Muskegon County, wrapping around the eastern and northern edges of the City of Muskegon. The township covers roughly 23.5 square miles and is home to about 17,686 residents ^[11], with US-31 running along the western edge and M-120 cutting across the north. Housing is a mix of mid-century single-family neighborhoods (Wolf Lake, Twin Lake corridor, Apple Avenue corridor), newer subdivisions, and a meaningful share of investor-owned rentals near the Apple Avenue commercial corridor.

The township has run a mandatory rental registration and inspection program since December 2010 under Chapter 6, Article XIII of the township code ^[1]^[3]. Every non-owner-occupied dwelling must register on Form RR-1 and pass a periodic inspection; the fee is calculated per unit. There is no short-term-rental-specific ordinance on the books, no STR overlay, and no permit cap, but the rental ordinance’s definition of “rental dwelling” is broad enough that a non-owner-occupied STR is still subject to the same registration and inspection requirements ^[2]. Investors evaluating an STR play should verify with the Zoning Administrator before underwriting, because the zoning ordinance does not call out transient/short-term lodging as a permitted use in residential districts.

Quick Status Summary

Short-Term Rentals VERIFY

Muskegon Charter Township has no STR-specific ordinance, no permit cap, and no overlay district. The township’s general rental ordinance (Chapter 6, Article XIII) requires every non-owner-occupied dwelling to register and be inspected ^[1]^[3], which captures STRs by default. However, the zoning code does not explicitly list short-term/transient lodging as a permitted use in residential districts. Verify intended use with the Zoning Administrator before underwriting any STR play here.

Long-Term Rentals ALLOWED

Long-term rentals are permitted in residentially zoned districts. All non-owner-occupied dwellings must register on Form RR-1 and pass a periodic inspection. Fee: $70 per unit for the first 5 units in a building, $25 per unit for unit 6 and above. Owners outside a 30-mile radius must designate a local agent ^[2].

Rental Regulations

🗺️ Where STRs Are Allowed (Zoning)

The zoning ordinance does not explicitly authorize short-term or transient lodging as a permitted use in residential districts, and the township has not adopted a separate STR ordinance. Whether a particular parcel can be operated as a short-term rental depends on (a) the parcel’s zoning district under Chapter 58 of the township code ^[4] and (b) how the Zoning Administrator interprets short-term residential rental relative to permitted dwelling uses.

For any property you’re underwriting as an STR, the only safe path is to confirm in writing with the Zoning Administrator before you close. Verify on the official zoning map below, then send your intended use (nightly/weekly rental, no owner on site) to BWerschem@muskegontwp.org and get a written response.

🗺 Open Zoning Map (PDF, Aug 8 2023)

🗺 Zoning Map (PDF)📜 Code of Ordinances (Chapter 58)📧 Ask Zoning Admin

📝 Rental Registration & Permit Process

Every non-owner-occupied dwelling in the township must register on Form RR-1 with the Rental Inspections unit, including dwellings that are currently vacant ^[2]. The rental ordinance dates to December 2010 and is codified at Chapter 6, Article XIII of the township code ^[1]^[3].

The township does not currently offer an online rental portal. Form RR-1 is submitted to the Rental Inspections Clerk along with the registration fee.

Application formForm RR-1 (PDF)

Multiple propertiesForm RR-1a (PDF)

Submit toRClerk@muskegontwp.org, or by mail/in person to 1990 E. Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442

Phone(231) 777-2555 ext. 1131

Inspection schedulingTownship sends an inspection appointment letter within a few days of receiving a complete registration ^[1]

For investors: After a property sale, the new owner must file an Affidavit of New Ownership and register the property in their own name. Permits are not transferred automatically.

📄 Rental Registration Form RR-1 📄 Affidavit of New Ownership 📞 Call Rental Inspections (Ext. 1131)

💵 Fees & Penalties

Registration fees are calculated per property (not by total units an owner controls). The discounted tier applies only to buildings with 6 or more dwelling units, not to multiple separate units across different parcels ^[2].

First 5 units per building$70 per unit

Unit 6 and above per building$25 per unit

Example: 1 single-family rental$70

Example: 8-unit apartment building$425 ($70 × 5 + $25 × 3)

Late filingFees may apply for filing late or failing to file ^[1]

Forms without payment or required information are returned unaccepted, and the property is not registered until both are received ^[2].

📄 Form RR-1 (fee schedule on reverse)📞 Call Rental Inspections

🔍 Inspections & Safety Requirements

Every registered rental dwelling is subject to a periodic inspection by the township’s Rental Inspections unit ^[3]. Once a complete Form RR-1 is received, the township mails an appointment letter with the date and time of the inspection ^[1].

The Common Inspection Items checklist ^[5] covers the items inspectors look for, including:

Working smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors
GFCI protection on bathroom and kitchen outlets
Proper egress from sleeping rooms (egress windows or second-means-of-egress)
Handrails and guardrails on stairs and elevated decks
No exposed electrical wiring; covers on all junction boxes and outlets
Functioning heat source, plumbing, and hot water
Roof in serviceable condition; no active leaks

Buildings in the township are evaluated against the Michigan Residential Code (2015) and the Michigan Rehabilitation Code (2021) in effect for the Building Department ^[8].

📄 Common Inspection Items (PDF)📄 Claim of Appeal Form (HA-1)📧 Building Department

📞 Local Agent & Out-of-Area Owner Requirement

If the property owner does not reside within a 30-mile radius of Muskegon Charter Township, the owner must designate a responsible local agent who does, and that local agent is legally responsible for operating the dwelling in compliance with the rental ordinance and the rest of township law ^[2]. The local agent’s name, address, and contact information are completed in Section 2 of Form RR-1.

This requirement applies to corporate, LLC, and out-of-state owners as well as individuals who simply live more than 30 miles away. For corporate ownership, the resident-agent information goes in Section 4 of the same form.

For investors: Plan for a local property manager or in-area agent before you close. The township will not register the property until the local-agent fields are filled in on Form RR-1 for any owner outside the 30-mile radius.

📄 Form RR-1 (Section 2 – Local Agent)📧 Rental Inspections Clerk

🚨 Complaints & Code Enforcement

The township operates separate complaint channels for rental and general code issues. Tenants, neighbors, and the public can file a written complaint about a rental property by submitting the Rental Complaint Form to the Rental Inspections Clerk ^[1]. General code-enforcement complaints (property maintenance, junk, derelict structures) go to the Code Enforcement Officer at bcourter@muskegontwp.org ^[6].

Rental Inspections: (231) 777-2555 ext. 1131
Rental Complaint Form: online form
Code Enforcement (general): bcourter@muskegontwp.org
Code Enforcement Complaint (PDF): download

🗺️ Where LTRs Are Allowed (Zoning)

Long-term rentals (leases of 30+ days) are permitted in residentially zoned districts, subject to the township’s mandatory rental registration program. The zoning ordinance treats a long-term rental as a residential dwelling use, so any parcel where single-family or multi-family dwelling is a permitted use can be operated as an LTR.

Where verification matters: If a parcel is in a commercial, industrial, or mixed-use district, confirm that the underlying residential use is permitted (or grandfathered) before you close. Use the zoning map below, then confirm with the Zoning Administrator.

🗺 Open Zoning Map (PDF, Aug 8 2023)

🗺 Zoning Map (PDF)📜 Code of Ordinances 📧 Ask Zoning Admin

📝 Annual Rental Registration & Inspection Program

Every non-owner-occupied dwelling in the township – single-family, duplex, and apartment buildings alike – must register with the Rental Inspections unit on Form RR-1 ^[2]. The program was established by ordinance in December 2010 to monitor rental property condition and improve residential neighborhoods ^[1].

Registration is required even if the property is currently vacant. Forms RR-1 (single property) and RR-1a (multiple properties on one filing) are submitted to the Rental Inspections Clerk along with the per-unit fee.

Application packetForm RR-1 (PDF)

Multiple propertiesForm RR-1a (PDF)

Statement of OccupancyPDF – file when units change tenants

Submit toRClerk@muskegontwp.org or by mail/in person to 1990 E. Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442

📄 Form RR-1 📄 Form RR-1a 📞 Rental Inspections (Ext. 1131)

💵 Fees & Penalties

Fee schedule is identical to the STR/rental side because the ordinance does not distinguish lease term length ^[2].

First 5 units per building$70 per unit

Unit 6 and above per building$25 per unit

Example: single-family LTR$70

Example: duplex$140 ($70 × 2)

Late filingAdditional fees may apply for late or failed filings ^[1]

The discounted $25 tier applies only to buildings with 6+ dwelling units, not to a portfolio of separate single-family parcels ^[2]. Fees are payable to Charter Township of Muskegon.

🔍 Inspections & Safety Requirements

The township schedules a periodic inspection after registration. Inspectors evaluate compliance with the Common Inspection Items checklist ^[5] and applicable codes in effect ^[8] including:

2015 Michigan Residential Code
2021 Michigan Building Code
2021 Michigan Plumbing Code
2023 Michigan Electrical Code
2021 Michigan Mechanical Code
2021 Michigan Rehabilitation Code for Existing Buildings

Standard items checked include working smoke and CO detectors, GFCI in wet areas, proper bedroom egress, secure handrails, no exposed wiring, functioning heating and plumbing, and roof condition ^[5].

If the inspection results in a finding the owner disagrees with, the owner can file a Claim of Appeal on Form HA-1 ^[1].

📄 Common Inspection Items (PDF)📄 Claim of Appeal (HA-1)🌐 Building Department

⚖️ 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 timeline ^[9]. These rules apply in Muskegon Charter Township and are not modified by local ordinance.

Tenants with habitability complaints can file directly with the township’s Rental Inspections unit ^[1], which is separate from any small-claims or district-court action.

📄 MI Practical Guide for Tenants & Landlords (PDF)📝 Rental Complaint Form

Official Resources

Ordinances

📜

Code of Ordinances – Chapter 6 (Buildings & Building Regulations)

Article XIII contains the rental property ordinance

📜

Code of Ordinances – Full Code (MuniCode)

Chapter 58 zoning, Chapter 6 rentals, all ordinances

📜

Master Plan (2022)

Township comprehensive plan

Forms & Applications

Rental Registration Form RR-1

PDF – main registration form, fee schedule on reverse

Multiple Properties Worksheet (RR-1a)

PDF – register multiple parcels on one filing

PDF – file when tenants change

Statement of Occupancy

Affidavit of New Ownership

PDF – file at sale closing

Common Inspection Items (RH-7)

PDF – what inspectors check

Claim of Appeal Form (HA-1)

PDF – appeal an inspection finding

Online – submit to Rental Inspections

Rental Complaint Form

Code Enforcement Complaint Form

PDF – general property maintenance issues

Building Permit Application

PDF – required for any structural work on a rental

Maps

Township Zoning Map (Aug 8, 2023)

Official zoning district map

Future Land Use Map – North

Master Plan companion (11×17)

Future Land Use Map – South

Master Plan companion (11×17)

Muskegon County Property Viewer (GIS)

Parcels, owners, zoning overlays

Portals & Lookups

💻

BS&A Online – Property Tax & Building Permits

Pay taxes, search permit history

Contact & Directions

📞

Rental Inspections Unit

(231) 777-2555 ext. 1131

Rental Inspections Clerk Email

RClerk@muskegontwp.org

Zoning Administrator Email

BWerschem@muskegontwp.org (ext. 1132)

Code Enforcement Email

bcourter@muskegontwp.org

Building Department Email

permits@muskegontwp.org (ext. 1127)