Douglas

STRs are permitted in every zoning district where residential use is permitted by right or has been approved through a special land use — Section 16.33 of the Zoning Ordinance applies citywide ^[1]. That covers the R-1, R-2, R-3 (Neighborhood Conservation), R-4 (Harbor Residential), and R-5 (Multiple Family) residential districts, plus any mixed-use parcel where residential is a permitted use.

For any specific parcel, confirm the zoning district on the city zoning map, then verify residential use is permitted in that district before underwriting.

Submit the Short-Term Rental Packet (paper application, $375 fee) to the Douglas Planning & Zoning Administrator at 415 W. Wiley Road, Suite 103. The certification is valid for three years ^[2].

Per the City of Douglas FY 2025/26 Fee Schedule ^[2]:

Revocation can be appealed to the City Council in writing within ten (10) days of the date of revocation.

Inspections are conducted by the Saugatuck Township Fire District at (269) 857-3000, 3342 Blue Star Hwy, Saugatuck ^[5]. The District uses the 2015 International Fire Code as its baseline checklist ^[3]. Required at least every 36 months ^[1].

What inspectors look for (summary checklist ^[3]):

• Smoke alarms in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on every level (including basements). Interconnection may be required.
• Carbon monoxide alarms on each level outside sleeping areas (waived only if home is all-electric with no fuel-fired appliances).
• Portable fire extinguisher rated 2A10BC minimum, mounted in the egress path on each level, with annual maintenance by an approved contractor.
• Egress windows in every sleeping room: 24” minimum height, 20” minimum width, sill no more than 44” above floor.
• Address sign visible from road with 4” minimum letters/numbers.
• Fire-safety plan posted on each floor by the main egress path, identifying exits, primary & secondary evacuation routes, fire extinguisher locations, local-rep contact.
• Electrical: all cover plates intact, no open junction boxes, 30” clear working space in front of electrical panels, no extension cords as permanent wiring.
• Heating: no portable unvented fuel-fired heaters; 36” clearance around fuel-fired appliances.
• Outdoor: no recreational fires within 25 feet of a structure; charcoal/open-flame cookers must be 10 feet from combustible construction.
• Basements/garages: no flammable-liquid storage (solvents, paints, gasoline, propane).

STR operators must follow the Section 16.33 conduct rules in addition to the city’s general noise and nuisance code ^[1][6].

• No room-by-room sublets. The owner (or agent) cannot rent an individual room within the STR to a person, family, or other group, and the renter cannot sublet a room. The dwelling rents as a single unit only ^[1].
• Family vs. group. A group of people not defined as a “family” is permitted to rent the unit (so unrelated guests are explicitly OK) ^[1].
• Off-site noise / nuisance. Outdoor yard areas, decks, and pools shall not produce excessive off-site noise, odor, or other external disturbances; violations are enforced as a public nuisance under the Douglas Code of Ordinances ^[1][6].
• Quiet hours / late-night noise. The city’s anti-noise regulation prohibits yelling, shouting, hooting, or singing on the public streets between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., and prohibits sound-producing devices loud enough to disturb the comfort of other persons ^[6].
• Parking. Parking of vehicles, trailers, and recreational equipment must comply with the Zoning Ordinance and Code of Ordinances at all times. Off-street parking spaces are reported on the application ^[1][2].
• Signs. Any property sign for the STR must comply with the City of Douglas Sign Ordinance 07-2023 ^[7].

The STR registration application requires a Local Emergency Contact phone number/name as a separate field, in addition to the owner’s contact and any agent ^[2]. This is the number the City and Fire District will call for after-hours issues at the property.

For investor-owned or out-of-area STRs, the application accommodates a written designation of an agent (“I hereby authorize that the agent as listed below is authorized to make this application for short-term-rental as my agent…”), and the city allows the agent rather than the owner to be listed as the primary contact and/or the contact for scheduling fire inspection ^[2].

• City of Douglas (business hours): (269) 857-1438 or info@douglasmi.gov
• Saugatuck Township Fire District (inspections): (269) 857-3000
• Allegan County Sheriff (non-emergency): (269) 673-7202
• Emergencies: 911

Douglas has no STR permit cap and no active moratorium. The Section 16.33 framework, which permits STRs in any residential-eligible district subject to registration and inspection, has been stable since adoption ^[1].

• No cap. The Zoning Ordinance does not limit the number of STR permits issued citywide.
• Three-year cert term. Once issued, a Rental Certificate runs three years before re-inspection ^[2].
• Sale = new permit. Any sale or transfer of the property automatically voids the existing rental occupancy certificate. The new owner must reapply, including a new fire-safety inspection ^[1].
• Per-violation revocation risk. More than one finding of responsibility / conviction for any City Code violation involving the STR within a calendar year may trigger revocation by the Zoning Administrator. Revocation is appealable to the City Council in writing within ten (10) days ^[1].