Rental Investment Guide

Ravenna Township

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

Updated May 2026
📞
Township Office
231-853-6205
📧
General Office
info@ravennatwp.com
🗺
Directions
3770 Blackmer Road, Ravenna, MI 49451
🌐
ravennatwp.com
www.ravennatwp.com

Area Overview

Ravenna Township is a rural farming community in eastern Muskegon County, organized around the Village of Ravenna and the surrounding A-1 Prime Agricultural and A-2 Agricultural-Recreation districts. The township office sits at 3770 Blackmer Road, with hours Monday through Wednesday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to noon.[1]

There is no dedicated short-term rental ordinance in Ravenna Township. The October 2024 zoning ordinance recognizes Bed and Breakfast establishments as a Special Land Use in the A-1, A-2, R-1, and R-2 districts, with mandatory owner-occupancy and a single-family dwelling requirement.[2] Whole-house, non-owner-occupied transient rentals (Airbnb / VRBO style) are not directly authorized as a defined use, so investors should confirm any STR concept in writing with Zoning Administrator Kevin Yeomans of Fresh Coast Planning before relying on a listing.[3]

Long-term rentals are unrestricted by Ravenna’s zoning code beyond standard dwelling rules: one single-family dwelling per parcel,[4] adopted state building codes via the township’s Property Maintenance and Housing Law ordinances,[5] and county-level septic standards administered by Muskegon County Public Health.[6]

Quick Status Summary

Short-Term Rentals NOT ALLOWED

Ravenna’s only authorized transient-lodging use is an owner-occupied Bed and Breakfast Establishment, which requires Special Land Use approval from the Planning Commission. Non-owner-occupied whole-house STRs are not a defined use in the zoning ordinance, so a parcel-by-parcel determination from the Zoning Administrator is essential before listing.

Long-Term Rentals ALLOWED

Long-term rentals (30 days or more) operate as standard residential occupancy in every district that permits dwellings. There is no rental registration, landlord licensing, or proactive inspection program at the township level; state building, fire, and property maintenance codes apply by reference.

Rental Regulations

🗺️ Where Can You Run an STR in Ravenna Township?

The only short-term-style use the zoning ordinance authorizes is a Bed and Breakfast Establishment, and it is a Special Land Use (not a by-right use) in the A-1 Prime Agricultural, A-2 Agricultural-Recreation, R-1 Low Density Residential, and R-2 Medium Density Residential districts.[2] By definition the dwelling must be owner-occupied and must be a single-family unit; two-family and multiple-family dwellings are not eligible.[7]

Whole-house, non-owner-occupied Airbnb / VRBO operation is not a defined use in the ordinance. Practically, that means a Zoning Administrator determination is required before listing. Use the parcel viewer to confirm a property’s district, then email Kevin Yeomans at Fresh Coast Planning for a written determination before closing or remodeling.[3]

Ravenna Township Zoning Map (Feb 2023)

🗺️ Zoning Map PDF📜 Zoning Ordinance (Oct 2024)📧 Ask Zoning Admin
📝 How Do You Get a Bed and Breakfast Permit?

A B&B in Ravenna requires a Special Land Use Permit from the Township Planning Commission. The application is filed with the Township Office at 3770 Blackmer Road and is then scheduled for a Planning Commission public hearing.[8] Applications walk through Chapter 13 of the zoning ordinance, which imposes use-specific standards in Section 13 (Bed and Breakfast Establishments).[7]

Required as part of approval:

  • Written certification that water supply and wastewater disposal meet code, issued either by the Muskegon County Public Health Department or a registered professional engineer.[7]
  • Direct access to a paved public road.[7]
  • One parking space per rentable room, in addition to parking required for the single-family dwelling.[7]
  • Owner must live on premise while the establishment is open for business.[7]
📄 Special Land Use Application🚰 County Septic Evaluation📧 Zoning Admin📞 Township Office
📋 What Operating Rules Apply to a B&B in Ravenna?

Section 13 of the zoning ordinance sets eleven specific conditions for any Bed and Breakfast Special Land Use:[7]

  • One sign only, maximum six square feet display area, set back at least 25 feet from the nearest right-of-way and not exceeding three feet in height. The sign may be illuminated.
  • No exterior modifications to add guest capacity. Modifications are allowed only for ADA accommodation or building, fire, and health code compliance.
  • No retail or service sales on premises (no gift shop, antique shop, restaurant, bakery, or apparel sales).
  • Meals are restricted to overnight guests, employees, or resident family; a separate charge for meals is prohibited.
  • Kitchen facilities are permitted but must meet state building and health department fire safety standards.
  • Exterior solid waste storage beyond what a single-family dwelling needs is prohibited.
📜 Full Zoning Ordinance📧 Zoning Admin
💵 What Are the Fees and Penalties?

Ravenna Township publishes its annual fee schedule as an image file (the 2026 schedule is posted as 2026-township-fee-schedule.jpg on the home page), so the exact Special Land Use, zoning compliance, and ZBA application fees are not machine-readable from the website.[9] Confirm current dollar amounts with the Township Office at 231-853-6205 before submitting an application.

Zoning violations are enforced under the township’s general zoning enforcement powers in the ordinance and the State Township Zoning Enabling Act. Verify any specific penalty schedule with the Zoning Administrator before relying on it for underwriting.

💲 2026 Fee Schedule (image)📞 Confirm Fees by Phone📧 Email Township Office
🛠️ What Inspections and Safety Items Are Required?

For a B&B, the Planning Commission requires water and septic certification at approval (Muskegon County Public Health or a licensed engineer), and any kitchen used to serve guests must meet state building and health department fire-safety and public-health requirements.[7] Any structural addition or significant remodel triggers a Zoning Compliance Permit Application before separate building permits are pulled.[10]

Existing on-site septic systems can be evaluated by Muskegon County Public Health for a fee, which is the right pre-purchase due diligence item if the property uses a septic system rather than the village utilities.[11]

📝 Zoning Compliance Permit🚰 County Septic Evaluation📜 County Sanitary Code
🔊 What Noise and Nuisance Rules Apply to Guests?

Ravenna Township has adopted a stand-alone Anti-Noise and Public Nuisance Ordinance that covers loud and disturbing noises across all districts.[12] The full text is posted as a scanned image PDF on the General Ordinances page, so the specific decibel limits and quiet-hours window are not extractable in machine-readable form here. Verify the current quiet-hours window directly with the Township Office before publishing house rules.[9]

The zoning ordinance’s general performance standards (Chapter 6 of the ordinance) also restrict short-term events that exceed otherwise-applicable noise standards.[7]

📜 Anti-Noise Ordinance (scan)📂 All General Ordinances📞 Confirm Quiet Hours
🗺️ Where Are Long-Term Rentals Allowed?

Long-term rentals are allowed by right anywhere the zoning ordinance permits a dwelling. Single-family detached dwellings are a principal permitted use in the A-1 Prime Agricultural, A-2 Agricultural-Recreation, R-1 Low Density Residential, and R-2 Medium Density Residential districts. Two-family dwellings are a principal permitted use in R-2.[2] Multi-family dwellings are addressed only through the Residential Planned Unit Development district.[2]

Section 3.4 of the ordinance limits any single lot or parcel to one single-family dwelling unless authorized as a two-family, multi-family, or PUD use.[4] That rule applies to LTRs the same way it applies to owner-occupied homes.

Ravenna Township Zoning Map (Feb 2023)

🗺️ Zoning Map PDF📜 Zoning Ordinance (Oct 2024)📧 Ask Zoning Admin
📝 Is There a Rental Registration or Inspection Program?

No. Ravenna Township does not operate a rental registration, landlord licensing, or proactive rental-inspection program at the township level. Long-term landlords are not required to register their rental with the township before tenanting.[9]

The township has adopted a Housing Law Ordinance and a Property Maintenance Ordinance, both posted as scanned image PDFs on the General Ordinances page, so the precise enforcement triggers are not extractable from the website in machine-readable form.[5] Confirm any complaint-driven inspection procedure with the Township Office before relying on it.

📜 Housing Law Ordinance (scan)📜 Property Maintenance Ord. (scan)📞 Township Office
🛠️ What Building, Safety, and Septic Rules Apply?

Any rental remodel, addition, or change of use must obtain a Zoning Compliance Permit from the Zoning Administrator before separate building, electrical, mechanical, or plumbing permits are issued.[10] Adding a separate dwelling unit on the same parcel (converting a house to a duplex, adding an ADU) requires an authorized two-family or PUD designation under Section 3.4.[4]

Most parcels outside the Village of Ravenna are on private well and septic, regulated by Muskegon County Public Health. Existing-system septic evaluations are available for a fee and are the standard pre-purchase due-diligence step. Call 231-724-6208 for the Environmental Health office.[6]

📝 Zoning Compliance Permit🚰 County Septic📞 County Env. Health
💵 What Are the Fees and Application Forms?

There is no recurring township fee for operating a long-term rental in Ravenna because there is no registration program.[9] Fees only apply to project-driven applications, all of which are filed through the Township Office and routed to Fresh Coast Planning:

  • Zoning Compliance Permit (most common, required before any building permit).[10]
  • Special Land Use Permit (if converting to a B&B, multi-family use, or other special use).[8]
  • Zoning Board of Appeals (variances).[13]
  • Land Division Application (lot splits, including those tied to a new rental parcel).[14]

Current dollar amounts are posted on the township’s 2026 fee schedule (image only, call the office to confirm).[9]

📝 Zoning Compliance App📝 Special Land Use App📝 ZBA Application📝 Land Division App
⚖️ What Tenant Rights and Eviction Resources Apply?

Tenant-landlord disputes in Ravenna are heard in the Muskegon County 60th District Court, which handles summary proceedings for residential evictions under Michigan’s Truth in Renting Act and the Summary Proceedings Act. Landlords using a written lease must comply with state disclosure requirements (security deposit, lead-based paint, etc.) regardless of any township ordinance.[15]

Statewide tenant resources are available through Michigan Legal Help (free self-help guides for landlord-tenant matters) and the Michigan Attorney General Consumer Protection Division’s Renters’ Rights page.[16]

⚖️ 60th District Court📚 MI Legal Help: Housing📚 MI AG Renters’ Rights

Official Resources

Ordinances
📜
Ravenna Zoning Ordinance (October 2024 update)
Districts, dwelling rules, Section 13 B&B special-use standards
📜
Ravenna Township Master Plan
Adopted plan hosted by Fresh Coast Planning
📜
Anti-Noise and Public Nuisance Ordinance
Scanned PDF; call office to confirm quiet-hours window
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Housing Law Ordinance
Scanned PDF, applies to residential rental property
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Property Maintenance Code Ordinance
Adopted maintenance code for residential structures
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Marijuana Ordinance
Local marijuana facility / activity rules
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Sewer Use Ordinance
Applies to parcels connected to public sewer in/near the village
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Truck Route Ordinance (No. 25-03)
Truck route rules affecting deliveries and contractor access
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Muskegon County Sanitary Code
County-level wastewater regulations governing onsite systems
Forms & Applications
📝
Zoning Compliance Permit Application
Required before building, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical permits
📝
Special Land Use Permit Application
Used for Bed and Breakfast and other special uses
📝
Zoning Board of Appeals Application
For variances and zoning interpretations
📝
Land Division Application
For splits creating new rental parcels
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Land Division Tax Payment Certification
County treasurer form required with land division
Maps
🗺️
Ravenna Township Zoning Map (February 2023)
A-1, A-2, R-1, R-2, and PUD district boundaries
🗺️
Muskegon County Property Information Viewer
Parcels, utilities, addressing, ownership across the county
Portals & Lookups
🏘️
Muskegon County BS&A Online
Assessing and tax records for Ravenna Township parcels
🚰
Muskegon County Septic Permits and Evaluations
Septic install permits, replacement permits, existing-system evaluations
Contact & Directions
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Zoning Administrator: Kevin Yeomans
Fresh Coast Planning – in-office Tuesday mornings 9 a.m. to noon by appointment
📞
Township Office Phone
Mon-Wed 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Closed Thursday, Friday 9 a.m. to noon
Other Resources
🏛️
Main Municipal Site
Ravenna Township homepage and department directory

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 →

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STRs Capped/Limited
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STRs Not Allowed
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Thinking about a rental property in Ravenna Township?

I help buyers, sellers, and landlords work through Ravenna's special-use B&B path, the county septic requirements, and the rest of Muskegon County's rental landscape so a property pencils before you close.

Schedule a Consultation Call (269) 235-9910

Sources & Downloads

  1. 1
    Ravenna Township homepage and contact page https://www.ravennatwp.com/contact
    Office address, phone, email, office hours
    Verified: 2026-05-16
  2. 2
    Ravenna Township Zoning Ordinance (October 2024 update) https://www.ravennatwp.com/s/Ravenna-Township-Zoning-Ordinance-Update-2024-October-10-03581168x9ED46.PDF
    Chapters 6-9 establish A-1, A-2, R-1, R-2 districts; B&B is Special Land Use
    Verified: 2026-05-16
  3. 3
    Ravenna Township Zoning Administration page https://www.ravennatwp.com/new-page-1
    Names Kevin Yeomans (Fresh Coast Planning) as Zoning Administrator
    Verified: 2026-05-16
  4. 4
    Section 3.4 – Dwellings Per Lot or Parcel https://www.ravennatwp.com/s/Ravenna-Township-Zoning-Ordinance-Update-2024-October-10-03581168x9ED46.PDF#page=46
    Limits any parcel to one single-family dwelling unless two-family, multi-family, or PUD
    Verified: 2026-05-16
  5. 5
    Ravenna Township General Ordinances page https://www.ravennatwp.com/general-ordinances
    Housing Law and Property Maintenance ordinances posted as scanned PDFs
    Verified: 2026-05-16
  6. 6
    Muskegon County Environmental Health Services https://co.muskegon.mi.us/1343/Environmental-Health-Services
    Environmental Health office, 231-724-6208
    Verified: 2026-05-16
  7. 7
    Section 13 – Bed and Breakfast Establishment Standards https://www.ravennatwp.com/s/Ravenna-Township-Zoning-Ordinance-Update-2024-October-10-03581168x9ED46.PDF#page=129
    Eleven specific operating conditions, including owner-occupancy and parking
    Verified: 2026-05-16
  8. 8
    Ravenna Special Land Use Permit Application https://www.ravennatwp.com/s/Ravenna-Special-Use-Permit-Application.pdf
    Filed with the Township Office, reviewed by Planning Commission
    Verified: 2026-05-16
  9. 9
    Ravenna Township home page – 2026 township fee schedule https://www.ravennatwp.com/
    Fee schedule is published only as an image (2026-township-fee-schedule.jpg)
    Verified: 2026-05-16
  10. 10
    Ravenna Zoning Compliance Permit Application https://www.ravennatwp.com/s/Ravenna-Twp-Zoning-Compliance-Application-162026-x733.pdf
    Required before any building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical permits
    Verified: 2026-05-16
  11. 11
    Muskegon County Septic Permits and Evaluations https://co.muskegon.mi.us/1042/Septic-Permits-Evaluations
    Existing system evaluations available for a fee
    Verified: 2026-05-16
  12. 12
    Anti-Noise and Public Nuisance Ordinance https://www.ravennatwp.com/s/anti-noise-and-public-nuisance-ord.pdf
    Scanned image PDF; specific quiet-hours not machine-readable
    Verified: 2026-05-16
  13. 13
    Ravenna Zoning Board of Appeals Application https://www.ravennatwp.com/s/Ravenna-ZBA-Form.pdf
    For variances and zoning interpretations
    Verified: 2026-05-16
  14. 14
    Ravenna Land Division Application https://www.ravennatwp.com/s/Land-Division-Application-20240227-1.pdf
    Used for parcel splits including those for new rental sites
    Verified: 2026-05-16
  15. 15
    Michigan Legal Help – Housing https://michiganlegalhelp.org/self-help-tools/housing
    Free self-help tools for landlord-tenant matters
    Verified: 2026-05-16
  16. 16
    Michigan AG Consumer Protection – Renters' Rights https://www.michigan.gov/consumerprotection/protect-yourself/renters-rights
    Statewide tenant rights guidance from Michigan AG
    Verified: 2026-05-16
  17. 17
    Muskegon County 60th District Court https://co.muskegon.mi.us/601/60th-District-Court
    Court of jurisdiction for landlord-tenant summary proceedings
    Verified: 2026-05-16
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.