Gun Plain Township

381 8th Street, Plainwell, MI 49080-0146

Directions

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Township Website

www.gunplain.org

Area Overview

Gun Plain Charter Township sits in northeastern Allegan County, wrapping around the north and east edges of the City of Plainwell along the Kalamazoo River corridor. Housing stock is a mix of subdivision-style single-family on Plainwell’s outskirts, larger rural-residential and agricultural parcels, and the Lake Doster lakefront community (which operates its own municipal water system separate from Plainwell’s)^[1]. Township zoning is administered under the 2002 Zoning Ordinance, last amended 2-4-2026, with district uses, definitions, and permitted-use tables organized by chapter^[2]. Building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing inspections are performed by Professional Code Inspectors of Michigan (PCI), Dorr office, under contract with the township^[3].

Gun Plain has not adopted a short-term rental ordinance, a vacation rental ordinance, or a township rental registration program. The complete list of selected township ordinances spans permitted use, fireworks, outdoor gatherings, blight, floodplain, solar, energy storage, and the recent data-center moratorium, but contains no rental-specific permit ordinance^[4]. Residential rentals are therefore governed by the underlying Zoning Ordinance^[2], the Outdoor Gathering Ordinance (Ord. 154)^[5], the Fireworks Ordinance (Ord. 155 as amended by Ord. 169)^[6]^[7], the Noxious Weed Control Ordinance (Ord. 157)^[8], and Michigan state landlord-tenant law. Long-term residential leases are permitted by right wherever the underlying dwelling type is a permitted use, with no township-level fee or inspection. Short-term/transient lodging is not specifically defined or licensed for residential districts; verify any proposed STR use parcel-by-parcel with the township and PCI before underwriting.

Quick Status Summary

Short-Term Rentals NOT ADDRESSED

Gun Plain Charter Township has no short-term rental ordinance and no STR registration program. The 2002 Zoning Ordinance (amended 2-4-2026) does not define ‘short-term rental’ or ‘vacation rental’ as a use category in residential districts^[2]. There is no Bed & Breakfast use category in any residential district by right; commercial lodging uses are limited to the township’s commercial districts. Investor-operated STRs in residential or agricultural districts are not specifically authorized or prohibited – verify any proposed STR use parcel-by-parcel with the Building & Zoning office (PCI, Dorr) and the Township Office before operating^[3].

Long-Term Rentals ALLOWED

Long-term residential rentals (31+ day leases) are permitted by right wherever the underlying dwelling type is a permitted use under the 2002 Zoning Ordinance^[2]. There is no township rental registration, no inspection program, and no township rental fee for an LTR. Michigan landlord-tenant statute (MCL 554.601 et seq.) and the township’s Blight, Anti-Noise (via Outdoor Gathering), and nuisance ordinances govern habitability and tenant conduct^[5]^[9].

Rental Regulations

1 Where STRs Are Allowed (Zoning)

The Gun Plain Charter Township Zoning Ordinance does not define or license short-term rentals as a use category in residential districts. The 2002 Zoning Ordinance (Amended 4/22/09, Codified 8/04/15, Amended 5/12/2022, Amended 12-23-2025, Amended 2-4-2026) is the authoritative text for district-by-district permitted uses^[2]. Hotel, motel, resort, and similar commercial-lodging uses are generally confined to the township’s commercial districts; the ordinance does not separately enumerate short-term rental as a permitted use in agricultural or residential zones^[2]^[4].

In practice, this means an investor-operated short-term or vacation rental in a residentially-zoned single-family home is an undefined use in Gun Plain – the township has not formally addressed it through ordinance. The township has not adopted a position banning STRs township-wide, but it has also not licensed or registered them. Verify any proposed STR use parcel-by-parcel with the Township Office and Professional Code Inspectors (PCI, the township’s contracted building/zoning office) before you advertise or accept bookings.

Open the 2016 Zoning Map for district boundaries and overlay parcels with the county GIS viewer.

🗺 Zoning Map (2016 PDF)📄 Zoning Ordinance (PDF)📚 MuniCode Library 📧 Ask Zoning (Township)

2 Registration & Permit Process

There is no STR registration or permit in Gun Plain Charter Township. The township does not maintain a short-term rental program, license, or roster. If the township later determines a particular STR use does not fit the Zoning Ordinance, the available pathways would be a Variance (through the Zoning Board of Appeals), a Rezoning, or a Special Land Use permit – all filed on paper using the Application For Planning & Zoning Requests and reviewed at the township hall^[10].

Township STR registrationNone offered

STR-specific permitNone offered

Submission method (if zoning action needed)Paper – in person or by mail to 381 8th Street, Plainwell, MI 49080

Variance / Rezoning / Special Use formApplication For Planning & Zoning Requests (PDF)

Office hoursMonday-Thursday 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM (closed Friday)

For investors: The absence of a township STR program is not the same as approval. Before listing on Airbnb or Vrbo, contact the township office and PCI (Dorr) in writing and document any guidance you receive. The township has been actively amending its zoning ordinance recently (Ord. 189 in 10-2025; 2-4-2026 amendment), so confirm the current text before relying on older interpretations^[4].

📋 Planning & Zoning Application 📞 Call Township Office 📧 Township Contact Form

3 Fees & Penalties

There is no STR-specific fee because there is no STR permit. If a zoning action is required for a proposed STR use, the fees that can apply are the township’s standard zoning-action fees published in the annual List of Fees & Charges, and the statewide municipal civil-infraction framework for enforcement of zoning and nuisance violations^[11].

STR registration feeNone – no STR permit exists

Variance / Rezoning / Special Use applicationSee the 2026 List of Fees & Charges (PDF); confirm with Clerk before submission

Building / electrical / mechanical / plumbing permitsSet by PCI fee schedule (Dorr office)^[3]

Zoning / nuisance violationMunicipal civil infraction – amount set by court order, prosecuted in Allegan County 57th District Court^[12]

Outdoor Gathering Ordinance violationMisdemeanor / civil infraction per Ord. 154^[5]

Operating an STR without resolving the zoning question exposes the property to a complaint-driven civil infraction proceeding. Fee amounts for variance, rezoning, and special use applications are set by township resolution – confirm the current dollar figure with the Clerk before submission.

💵 2026 Fees & Charges (PDF)📜 Outdoor Gathering Ord. 154 📞 Confirm Fees with Clerk

4 Inspections & Safety Requirements

Gun Plain Charter Township has no rental inspection program. Building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing inspections are performed by Professional Code Inspectors of Michigan (PCI), Dorr office, under contract with the township^[3]. PCI inspections are triggered by construction, alteration, or change-of-use permits filed through the Dorr office portal – not by rental activity itself.

Any lawful lodging or dwelling use is subject to the Michigan Residential Code, the Michigan Building Code, and related state-adopted codes. Smoke and carbon-monoxide detector requirements, egress requirements, and electrical/plumbing/mechanical standards follow state code; the township defers to PCI for code interpretation and inspection scheduling^[3].

Township rental inspectionNone – complaint-driven enforcement only

Building authorityProfessional Code Inspectors (PCI), Dorr office

Septic / well permit authorityAllegan County Environmental Health, (269) 673-5415^[13]

Lock-box entry requirementCommercial lock box entry system applies to certain occupancies per Ord. 171^[14]

📋 Building Permit Application (PCI)📋 Electrical Permit (PCI)📋 Plumbing Permit (PCI)🏥 County Septic & Well

5 Operating Rules (Outdoor Gatherings, Noise, Fireworks, Blight)

No STR-specific operating rules exist. Renters and owners remain subject to the township’s general ordinances on a complaint basis^[5]^[6]^[7]^[8]:

Outdoor Gathering Ordinance (Ord. 154, effective 1/10/13): Regulates outdoor assemblies of people, music, and recreational use that exceed normal residential character – applies to events at any property, including rentals. Permit requirements depend on size and duration^[5].
Fireworks Ordinance (Ord. 155, effective 1/22/14; amended by Ord. 169 effective 5/15/19): Restricts the use of consumer fireworks to days permitted by the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act and prohibits use on other days; violations are civil infractions^[6]^[7].
Noxious Weed Control Ordinance (Ord. 157, effective 9/25/14): Requires landowners to control noxious weeds and tall grass; non-compliance can trigger cutting at owner’s expense^[8].
Floodplain Management Ordinance (Ord. 182, effective 6/8/23): Governs construction and alterations in mapped FEMA floodplains – relevant for Kalamazoo River frontage and Lake Doster lakefront^[15].
Marihuana Establishment Prohibition (Ord. 170, effective 5/9/19): Prohibits recreational marijuana establishments in the township (does not affect personal use under state law)^[16].
State landlord-tenant law: Quiet enjoyment, habitability, and security deposit rules apply (MCL 554.601 et seq.).

Complaints are filed with the Township Office at (269) 685-9471 or through the website contact form. In-progress disturbances should be reported to the Allegan County Sheriff’s non-emergency line.

📜 Outdoor Gathering Ord. 154 📜 Fireworks Ord. 155 📜 Fireworks Amendment Ord. 169 📜 Tall Grass / Noxious Weed Ord. 157

6 Local Agent / 24-Hour Contact

Gun Plain Charter Township does not require a designated local agent or 24-hour contact for rental properties – there is no rental ordinance that would impose such a requirement^[4]. Investors managing remotely should still plan for after-hours response: the township office is open Monday-Thursday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM and closed on Fridays.

Township Office: (269) 685-9471 ext. 211 (M-Th 8:30 AM-4:30 PM)
Township Fax: (269) 685-5169
Building & Zoning (PCI, Dorr office): pcimi.com
Allegan County Sheriff (non-emergency): (269) 673-4415
911 for emergencies

For investors: Build your own 24-hour response stack – on-call cleaner, on-call locksmith, on-call HVAC vendor – because no township ordinance requires it but neighbors and county dispatch will expect a real person responding to complaints inside an hour. Document the contact tree in your guest handbook.

1 Where LTRs Are Allowed (Zoning)

Long-term residential rentals are permitted wherever the underlying single-family or two-family dwelling use is a permitted use under the 2002 Zoning Ordinance (amended 2-4-2026)^[2]. Gun Plain’s residential, agricultural, and PUD districts treat residential leasing as part of the underlying dwelling use – there is no separate ‘rental’ use category and no rental-specific permit.

Where verification matters: For commercial, industrial, or mixed-use-zoned parcels, the underlying residential use itself must be permitted – verify the parcel’s zoning district on the Zoning Map below, then confirm residential dwelling use is permitted by right (or grandfathered) with PCI and the Township Office.

Open the 2016 Zoning Map for district boundaries and overlay parcels with the county GIS viewer. The township’s Future Land Use Map (March 2024) shows long-range residential expansion areas.

🗺 Zoning Map (2016 PDF)📄 Zoning Ordinance (PDF)🗺 Future Land Use Map (2024)📧 Ask Zoning (Township)

2 Registration & Permit Process

Gun Plain Charter Township does not require long-term rental registration, licensing, or annual inspection. There is no township rental fee for leasing a single-family, two-family, or multi-family dwelling for 31+ days^[4].

Lease formation, security deposits, and notice-to-quit procedures are governed by Michigan state law – principally the Truth in Renting Act (MCL 554.631), the Security Deposit Act (MCL 554.602-.616), and the Summary Proceedings Act for evictions (MCL 600.5701)^[9].

Township rental registrationNone required

Township rental inspectionNone scheduled; complaint-driven only

Lease lawMichigan state statute (MCL 554.601 et seq.)

Eviction courtAllegan County 57th District Court^[12]

For investors: The absence of a local registration program keeps operating costs low, but also means the township has no record of rental units and no scheduled habitability inspection. Build a property-condition baseline (move-in inspection with photos, written checklist) and a defined re-inspection cycle into your lease and operations rather than relying on a township framework.

📖 MI Tenants & Landlords Guide 🏛 57th District Court 📧 Township Contact Form

3 Fees & Penalties

There are no township rental fees in Gun Plain Charter Township. The fees that can apply to a rental property are incidental – building or zoning permits triggered by work on the property, not by the rental activity itself^[3]^[11]:

Building permit (new construction / alteration)Set by PCI Dorr-office fee schedule – application includes plan exam

Electrical / Mechanical / Plumbing permitsSet by PCI fee schedule

Land division applicationFiled through PCI Dorr office; fee set by township and PCI

Variance / Rezoning / Special UseSee 2026 List of Fees & Charges (PDF) – confirm with Clerk

Zoning / nuisance / outdoor-gathering violationMunicipal civil infraction – amount set by court order

Permit fee amounts are set by township resolution and PCI’s contracted fee schedule – confirm current dollar amounts at the township office before submission. Office hours are Monday-Thursday 8:30 AM-4:30 PM (closed Friday).

💵 2026 Fees & Charges (PDF)📋 Building Permit (PCI)📋 Land Division (PCI)

4 Habitability & Property Maintenance

Landlords must keep dwellings in compliance with Michigan’s statewide habitability standards – the Michigan Residential Code, the Michigan Building Code, the Michigan Plumbing Code, the Michigan Mechanical Code, the Michigan Electrical Code, and the Michigan Fire Code – all enforced by Professional Code Inspectors as the township’s contracted building authority^[3]. Tenant rights to a habitable dwelling are also rooted in the implied warranty of habitability under MCL 554.139^[9].

Gun Plain Charter Township has not adopted the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) or a separate property-maintenance ordinance specific to rentals. Day-to-day exterior nuisance issues are addressed under the Outdoor Gathering Ordinance (Ord. 154)^[5], the Fireworks Ordinance (Ord. 155 / 169)^[6]^[7], and the Noxious Weed Control Ordinance (Ord. 157)^[8]. Floodplain construction and alteration in mapped FEMA zones (relevant on Kalamazoo River and Lake Doster frontage) is governed by Ord. 182^[15]. Interior habitability issues are pursued by tenants under Michigan state law and through the Allegan County 57th District Court^[12].

📜 Outdoor Gathering Ord. 154 📜 Floodplain Ord. 182 🔗 Building Authority (PCI)

5 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 (MCL 600.5701). The State Bar of Michigan publishes a free Practical Guide for Tenants and Landlords that covers leases, security deposits, repairs, and the eviction process^[9] – these statewide rules apply in Gun Plain Charter Township without modification because the township has no local landlord-tenant ordinance.

Michigan Legal Help provides free self-help tools for both sides – notice forms, security-deposit letters, and eviction timelines^[17]. Allegan County’s 57th District Court (in Allegan, MI) handles most eviction and small-claims filings for Gun Plain Township; the court publishes Landlord-Tenant FAQs and filing forms^[12].

📖 MI Tenants & Landlords Guide ⚖ MI Legal Help – Housing 🏛 Allegan 57th District Court

Special Regulations

Gun Plain Charter Township has Kalamazoo River frontage, mapped FEMA floodplains, the separate Lake Doster municipal water service area, and active board-level work on data-center moratoriums. Investors evaluating Gun Plain properties should understand these overlays in addition to standard rental rules.

★ Floodplain Management (Ord. 182)

Portions of Gun Plain along the Kalamazoo River corridor and around Lake Doster are within mapped FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas. Construction, substantial improvements, and alterations in those areas are governed by the township Floodplain Management Ordinance (Ord. 182, effective 6/8/23)^[15]. Property owners can request a FEMA Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) or Letter of Map Revision based on Fill (LOMR-F) when survey data shows a structure is above the regulatory floodplain; the township publishes step-by-step request instructions^[18].

📜 Floodplain Ord. 182 (PDF)📄 How to Request a LOMA

★ Lake Doster Water System

The Lake Doster area is served by a township-operated municipal water system that is separate from the Plainwell/Pine Meadows/James Street system – it has its own Consumer Confidence Reports (Water Quality Reports) published annually^[19]. Lakefront and lake-area rental owners should plan their utility billing, backflow prevention, and meter applications around the Lake Doster system specifically. Outside the Lake Doster and other defined service areas, most properties are on private wells permitted by Allegan County Environmental Health^[13].

📊 Lake Doster 2024 CCR 📊 Gun Plain 2024 CCR 📋 Lake Doster Water App

★ Active Moratoriums & Recent Ordinance Activity

Gun Plain has been actively legislating land use in late 2025 and 2026, which is worth tracking when underwriting larger parcels. Recent items include the Zoning Ordinance amendments of 10-18-2025 (Ord. 189), 12-23-2025, and 2-4-2026; the Energy Storage System Ordinance (Ord. 187, effective 7-26-2025); and a Temporary Moratorium on Data Centers adopted April 2026 (Ord. 192 / 193)^[20]. None of these target short-term or long-term rentals, but they signal an active Planning Commission – confirm the current zoning text before locking down assumptions for any rezoning or special-use play.

📜 Ord. 189 Zoning Amendment 📜 Ord. 192 Data Center Moratorium 📋 Public Notices Feed

Official Resources

Ordinances

2002 Zoning Ordinance (Amended 2-4-2026)

Current zoning text – districts, uses, dimensional standards

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MuniCode – Complete Code of Ordinances

Library.municode.com index for Gun Plain Charter Township

Outdoor Gathering Ordinance (Ord. 154)

Regulates outdoor assemblies – events at rentals

Fireworks Ordinance (Ord. 155)

Consumer fireworks restrictions per Michigan Fireworks Safety Act

Fireworks Amendment (Ord. 169)

Chapter 10 amendment – consumer fireworks prohibitions

Noxious Weed / Tall Grass Control (Ord. 157)

Landowner duty to control noxious weeds and tall grass

Lock Box Entry System (Ord. 171)

Commercial lock-box requirements for fire access

Marihuana Establishment Prohibition (Ord. 170)

Recreational marijuana establishments prohibited

Floodplain Management (Ord. 182)

FEMA floodplain construction & alteration rules

Zoning Amendment (Ord. 189)

October 2025 Zoning Ordinance amendment

Data Center Moratorium (Ord. 192)

Temporary moratorium adopted April 2026

Forms & Applications

Application For Planning & Zoning Requests

Master form for variance, rezoning, special use

Building Permit Application (PCI)

Electrical Permit Application (PCI)

Mechanical Permit Application (PCI)

Plumbing Permit Application (PCI)

Land Division Application (PCI)

Lot split / consolidation – filed through PCI

Sewer Hook-Up Application

For parcels in township sewer service area

Water Hook-Up Application (Lake Doster)

Lake Doster water service area

Water Hook-Up Application (City-Supplied)

Plainwell-supplied water service area

Backflow Prevention Device Test Report

Required for cross-connection devices

2026 List of Fees & Charges

Township fee schedule (PDF)

Maps

Gun Plain Township Zoning Map (2016)

District boundaries – PDF

Future Land Use Map (March 2024)

Adopted as part of the 2024 Master Plan

Gun Plain Parcel Map (Allegan County)

County-published parcel reference PDF

Allegan County GIS Parcel Viewer

Parcels, addresses, tax IDs – ArcGIS interactive map

Portals & Lookups

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Master Plan (Adopted March 2024)

Township long-range plan

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Online Tax / Utility Payments (BSA Online)

Property tax & utility billing

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BSA Online – Gun Plain

Assessing, tax, and utility records

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Allegan County Tax Search

Parcel tax records

Contact & Directions

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Township Office

(269) 685-9471 ext. 211 – M-Th 8:30 AM-4:30 PM

Township Contact Form

Web-based contact – choose department in form

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Building & Zoning (PCI, Dorr office)

Professional Code Inspectors of Michigan

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Allegan County Environmental Health

Septic & well permits – (269) 673-5415

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Allegan County Sheriff (Non-Emergency)

(269) 673-4415