Official Buyer Advisory
Stop before making an offer
Contact the municipality directly. Call to discuss rental regulations and enforcement, then obtain written confirmation by email that your exact property address is eligible for the intended use STR / LTR. Save the response.
Do not rely on listings, agents, websites, zoning maps, or verbal statements.
Skipping this step could result in purchasing a property that cannot legally be used as intended.
City of Buchanan
Short-term & long-term rental regulations, fees, and investor resources for Berrien County, Michigan.
Area Overview
The City of Buchanan sits in southern Berrien County along the St. Joseph River, about 20 miles southwest of St. Joseph and 90 minutes from Chicago. Housing stock is predominantly traditional single-family homes in walkable neighborhoods surrounding a small downtown core. The city has roughly 4,400 residents and draws a steady flow of visitors to its historic Redbud district, McCoy Creek Trail, and nearby Clark Equipment / Tyler Refrigeration heritage sites.
Rental rules changed meaningfully across 2025–2026. The city adopted a Residential Rental Registration program under Ordinance 2025.03/441 (effective April 19, 2025) [1] and a short-term rental regulatory ordinance (Ordinance 2025.09/443, effective October 10, 2025) [2], then replaced its 2003 zoning ordinance with a new Unified Development Code adopted in December 2025 [3]. That code was amended by the Short-Term Rental Overlay District ordinance (Ordinance 2026.04/448), adopted April 13, 2026 and effective May 8, 2026, which confines short-term rentals to a mapped overlay district [7]. Long-term rentals are allowed by right in any legally existing dwelling; short-term rentals are allowed only inside the Short-Term Rental Overlay District — not in single-family residential neighborhoods.
Quick Status Summary
Allowed only inside the mapped Short-Term Rental Overlay District (Ordinance 2026.04/448, effective May 8, 2026), building on Ordinance 2025.09/443. Prohibited in single-family residential districts, and use variances for STRs outside the overlay are barred. Annual registration is $120. Verify parcel eligibility with Community Development before purchasing any property intended for STR use.
Allowed by right in any legally existing dwelling for stays of one month or longer. Annual registration required ($35), with biennial inspections under the International Property Maintenance Code.
Rental Regulations
Where STRs Are Allowed (Zoning)
Short-term rentals are not allowed in single-family residential districts. As of May 8, 2026 they are confined to a mapped Short-Term Rental Overlay District (STROD) created by Ordinance 2026.04/448, which amended the Unified Development Code [7]. The overlay is superimposed over portions of the Neighborhood Center (NC), Downtown (D), General Neighborhood (GN), and Industrial (I) districts following the Chapter 14 Short-Term Rental Permitted Area Map; the UDC lodging matrix (Table 71-J) now lists short-term rentals, hotels/motels, and bed-and-breakfasts as uses permitted only within that overlay, and use variances for STRs outside the overlay are prohibited [7].
This overlay builds on Ordinance 2025.09/443 [2], which first restricted STRs to designated areas, grandfathered the short-term rentals that were properly registered and actively listed as of the March 2025 moratorium date, and permitted a limited additional number of new STRs in the non-single-family areas [4]. Because eligibility is defined by the overlay map and the underlying Unified Development Code districts [3], investors must confirm parcel-level eligibility with Community Development before relying on any property for STR use.
Registration & Permit Process
Submit a completed rental registration application in person at 302 N. Redbud Trail or by mail to the Community Development Department with the $120 annual STR fee [5]. Registration runs on an annual July cycle. Before applying, the city recommends contacting staff to confirm the specific property’s eligibility under the designated-area map [5].
Fees & Penalties
Fees published on the city’s Residential Rental Registration Program page [5]. Operating without registration in a designated STR area, or operating an STR in a prohibited district, is a code-enforcement violation under Chapter 14, Article IX and the Unified Development Code.
Inspections & Safety Requirements
Inspections are conducted under the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) and cover basic equipment, light and ventilation, heating, sanitation, and fire safety [5]. New registrations are inspected on a biennial cycle; there is no separate inspection fee.
The city publishes its inspection checklist so owners can self-assess before a scheduled visit.
Operating Rules & Recent Changes
Buchanan’s STR framework was built in four steps across 2025–2026:
- March 2025 — Ordinance 2025.03/441 established a city-wide residential rental registration program (Chapter 14, Article IX of the city code) and imposed a temporary moratorium on new STR registrations while the city studied long-term regulation [1].
- October 10, 2025 — Ordinance 2025.09/443 replaced the moratorium with a designated-area STR framework, restricting STRs to specific zones defined on an accompanying map and grandfathering existing registered STRs [2][4].
- December 2025 — Unified Development Code (UDC) replaced the 2003 zoning ordinance with a form-based code, aligning STR use permissions with the 2025.09/443 designated locations [3].
- May 8, 2026 — Short-Term Rental Overlay District (Ordinance 2026.04/448) amended the UDC to confine STRs, hotels/motels, and bed-and-breakfasts to a mapped overlay district (UDC Table 71-J) and prohibited use variances for STRs outside the overlay. Adopted April 13, 2026; effective May 8, 2026 [7].
For current operators, the practical implications are straightforward: register annually, stay within the Short-Term Rental Overlay District, and expect the UDC’s form-based standards to govern any physical changes to the property (signage, accessory structures, exterior modifications).
Where LTRs Are Allowed (Zoning)
Long-term rentals (stays of one month or longer) are allowed in any legally existing dwelling by right [5]. There is no zoning restriction on LTR use beyond the underlying residential dwelling use being permitted on the parcel. Because the Unified Development Code adopted in December 2025 (amended effective May 8, 2026) introduced new district names and form-based standards, any new construction or change of use should be verified against the current UDC and zoning map [3].
Registration & Permit Process
Submit the Residential Rental Registration application in person at 302 N. Redbud Trail or by mail with the $35 annual fee [5]. The program is codified in Chapter 14, Article IX of the Buchanan City Code under Ordinance 2025.03/441 [1]. Registration runs annually in July, and inspections are performed biennially under the International Property Maintenance Code.
Fees & Penalties
Fees published on the city’s Residential Rental Registration Program page [5]. Unregistered rental operation is a code-enforcement violation under Chapter 14, Article IX.
Inspections & Safety Requirements
Inspections follow the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) — minimum requirements for existing buildings including basic equipment, light and ventilation, heating, sanitation, and fire safety [5]. Existing LTRs are inspected every two years; new registrations get an initial inspection before issuance.
The city publishes its inspection checklist so owners can address items before the visit.
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 [6] that covers leases, security deposits, repairs, and the eviction process. These rules apply in Buchanan and are not modified by local ordinance.
Official Resources
Property Tax Treatment
Explore Rental Guides — Berrien County
Every municipality in Berrien County. Click any to view its rental guide — or request one if it’s not yet live. View the Berrien County hub →
- Bainbridge TownshipTownshipSTRs Capped/Limited
- BarodaVillageSTR Status Unverified
- Baroda TownshipTownshipSTRs Capped/Limited
- Benton Charter TownshipTownshipSTRs Allowed
- Benton HarborCitySTRs Heavily Restricted
- Berrien SpringsVillageSTRs Capped/Limited
- Berrien TownshipTownshipSTR Status Unverified
- Bertrand TownshipTownshipSTR Status Unverified
- BridgmanCitySTRs Heavily Restricted
- BuchananCitySTRs Capped/Limited
- Buchanan TownshipTownshipSTRs Not Allowed
- Chikaming TownshipTownshipSTRs Capped/Limited
- ColomaCitySTR Status Unverified
- Coloma Charter TownshipTownshipSTRs Allowed
- Eau ClaireVillageSTR Status Unverified
- GalienVillageSTR Status Unverified
- Galien TownshipTownshipSTR Status Unverified
- Grand BeachVillageSTRs Capped/Limited
- Hagar TownshipTownshipSTRs Allowed
- Lake Charter TownshipTownshipSTRs Allowed
- Lincoln Charter TownshipTownshipSTRs Allowed
- MichianaVillageSTRs Capped/Limited
- New BuffaloCitySTRs Capped/Limited
- New Buffalo TownshipTownshipSTRs Capped/Limited
- NilesCitySTRs Allowed
- Niles Charter TownshipTownshipSTRs Capped/Limited
- Oronoko Charter TownshipTownshipSTRs Capped/Limited
- Pipestone TownshipTownshipSTRs Allowed
- Royalton TownshipTownshipSTRs Allowed
- Saint JosephCitySTRs Capped/Limited
- Saint Joseph Charter TownshipTownshipSTRs Not Allowed
- ShorehamVillageSTRs Capped/Limited
- Sodus TownshipTownshipSTR Status Unverified
- StevensvilleVillageSTRs Capped/Limited
- Three OaksVillageSTRs Capped/Limited
- Three Oaks TownshipTownshipSTRs Capped/Limited
- WatervlietCitySTR Status Unverified
- Watervliet Charter TownshipTownshipSTR Status Unverified
- Weesaw TownshipTownshipSTR Status Unverified
Thinking about buying a rental in Buchanan?
Buchanan's STR zoning is now district-specific — pre-verifying parcel eligibility before you write an offer is the single biggest risk-reducer. I help investors navigate the post-2025 rules across Southwest Michigan.
Sources & Downloads
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1City of Buchanan — Ordinance 2025.03/441 (Rental Registration, effective 4/19/2025) https://www.cityofbuchanan.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/community_development/page/5289/rental_ordinance_2025.03-441.pdfFull ordinance text (PDF) adopting Chapter 14, Article IXVerified: 2026-04-21
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2City of Buchanan — Ordinance 2025.09/443 (Short-Term Rentals with Map, effective 10/10/2025) https://www.cityofbuchanan.com/sites/default/files/fileattachments/community_development/page/5289/short_term_rental_registsration_ordinance_2025.09.443_with_map_locations_effective_date_october_10_2025.pdfSTR regulatory ordinance with allowable-locations mapVerified: 2026-04-21
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3City of Buchanan — Unified Development Code (Zoning Ordinance) and Zoning Map https://www.cityofbuchanan.com/comm-dev/page/buchanan-unified-development-code-zoning-ordinance-and-zoning-mapUDC landing page; replaces 2003 zoning ordinance, adopted December 2025 and amended (STR Overlay District) effective 5/8/2026Verified: 2026-06-07
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4Herald Palladium — Buchanan approves new short-term rental ordinance https://www.heraldpalladium.com/communities/buchanan/buchanan-approves-new-short-term-rental-ordinance/article_224cca1b-0e36-574b-ac16-8fa3c5e4e985.htmlContext: grandfathered existing STRs, designated downtown/non-SFR areas, cap frameworkVerified: 2026-04-21
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5City of Buchanan — Residential Rental Registration Program https://www.cityofbuchanan.com/comm-dev/page/residential-rental-registration-programFees, IPMC reference, submission process, inspection schedulingVerified: 2026-04-21
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6Michigan Legislature — A Practical Guide for Tenants & Landlords https://www.legislature.mi.gov/publications/tenantlandlord.pdfStatewide landlord-tenant law, leases, eviction processVerified: 2026-04-21
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7City of Buchanan — Short-Term Rental Overlay District (Ordinance 2026.04/448); amended UDC effective 5/8/2026 https://www.cityofbuchanan.com/comm-dev/page/buchanan-unified-development-code-zoning-ordinance-and-zoning-mapAdopted 4/13/2026; effective 5/8/2026. Creates the STR Overlay District (STROD) over portions of NC/D/GN/I per the Chapter 14 STR Permitted Area Map; UDC Table 71-J lists STR/hotel-motel/B&B as overlay-only uses and bars use variances for STRs outside the overlay. Codified in the city's posted 'amended 04132026 effective date 05082026' UDC and zoning map.Verified: 2026-06-07