Benton Charter Township

Short-term rentals are not restricted to specific zoning districts by ordinance. Benton Charter Township does not currently have a dedicated STR ordinance; rentals of any duration are regulated through the general rental registration process under Chapter 82 of the Code of Ordinances ^[2].

Parcel check: If a property’s Parcel ID begins with 11-03-, it is inside Benton Charter Township limits ^[3]. Look it up via the county parcel viewer, then confirm the zoning district on the township zoning map before investing.

Click the map to open the full Benton Charter Township boundary / zoning reference PDF from Berrien County GIS.

Submit the Rental Property Registration form to the Township Hall (1725 Territorial Road) before March 1 each year ^[1]. STRs use the same registration form as long-term rentals — there is no separate STR application.

1. Download and complete the Rental Property Registration form (or the Multiple-Properties form for portfolios).
2. Include owner and designated agent contact info, address of each unit, dwelling type (S=Single / M=Multi / R=Rooming), occupant count, and a preferred inspection date/time ^[1].
3. Mail the completed form with $50 per unit (check or cash) to 1725 Territorial Road, Benton Harbor, MI 49022 — or drop in the exterior drop box at the front entrance, or deliver in person to the 2nd-floor Building Department ^[5].
4. Rental Housing Inspector Chris Fuchs will perform the ICC Property Maintenance inspection at the scheduled time ^[5].

• Registration Fee: $50 per dwelling unit, annually (Sec. 82-811(a)) ^[4]
• Late Fee: $25 per unit if registration is received after January 31 ^[4]
• Re-Inspection Fee: $75 for uncorrected violations (Sec. 82-811(b)) ^[4]
• No-Show / Failure to Provide Access: $50 (Sec. 82-811(c)) ^[4]
• 120-Day Penalty: Penalties left unpaid 120 days after the January 31 deadline incur an additional 15% penalty fee per unit (Sec. 82-811(e)) ^[4]

Payment methods: cash, check, or credit card. Credit card requires a signed Authorization Form plus copy of driver’s license emailed to dscalf@bentonchartertownship-mi.gov ^[5].

Inspections are performed against the current ICC International Property Maintenance Code (2015 edition currently enforced) ^[6]. Expect the Rental Housing Inspector to check life-safety items similar to other Berrien County municipalities:

• Working smoke alarms in every sleeping area and on each level
• Working carbon monoxide alarms where fuel-burning appliances are present
• Operable egress windows in every bedroom; clear exit paths
• Functional plumbing, heating, and electrical service
• Weatherproof envelope (roof, windows, doors, stairs, handrails)
• No active pest infestation or structural hazards

It is the owner’s responsibility to be present or arrange access for the inspection ^[1]. Call the Building Department at (269) 925-7284 to schedule, with at least 24 hours’ notice.

Benton Charter Township does not publish a STR-specific occupancy cap. The rental registration form asks for a stated Number of Occupants per unit, which is checked against ICC Property Maintenance Code minimum space-per-person standards at inspection ^[1].

• Noise: Enforced by the township Ordinance Department (housed inside the Police Department). Complaints route to Jeff Brown or Robert Porter at (269) 926-0616 ext. 114 ^[5].
• Parking: Governed by the parcel’s zoning district. For STR hosts, a practical rule is one on-site space for the dwelling plus one additional space per bedroom — confirm with the Zoning Administrator for any parcel near the right-of-way.
• Good-neighbor practice: Post quiet hours (typically 10 p.m.–7 a.m.), on-site parking count, and trash/recycle rules in the listing and at the property.

Building, Inspection & Zoning Department — 2nd Floor, 1725 Territorial Road ^[5]

• Deeann Scalf, Building Dept Admin Assistant — dscalf@bentonchartertownship-mi.gov, direct (269) 925-7284
• Loyall Bennett, Building Inspector — lbennett@bentonchartertownship-mi.gov
• Caleb O’Toole, Building Inspector — cotoole@bentonchartertownship-mi.gov
• Chris Fuchs, Rental Housing Inspector — clauscfuchs@aol.com, cell (269) 208-7779
• Zoning requests: email dscalf@ and eashmead@bentonchartertownship-mi.gov. Allow 10 business days ^[5].
• Ordinance Enforcement (Police): Jeff Brown jbrown@ / Robert Porter rporter@, (269) 926-0616 ext. 114

Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ^[5]