Rental Investment Guide

Martin

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

Updated May 2026
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Village Office
269-672-7777
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Village Office
martinmi49070@gmail.com
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Directions
1609 North Main Street, Martin, MI 49070
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Village Website
villageofmartinmi.org

Area Overview

The Village of Martin is a small incorporated village of roughly 400 residents in southeastern Allegan County, located along US-131 between Plainwell and Wayland. The village sits within Martin Township and shares many service relationships with the township, but rental, zoning, and building rules inside the village limits are governed by the Village’s own ordinances and council [1].

Martin has no separate short-term rental ordinance. All rental dwelling units in the village — whether rented long-term or as vacation/short-term stays — are governed by Ordinance 58, the Rental Registration and Inspection Ordinance (most recently amended by Ordinance 58-1 in 2009) [2]. The village’s small size means in-person contact with the Village Clerk is the most reliable way to confirm requirements for a specific property — office hours are limited (Monday–Friday, 8:00–11:00 a.m.) [1].

Zoning in the village runs under Ordinance 20 (originally adopted 1967) and subsequent amendments (Ordinances 25, 67) [3]. The village is divided into five districts: R-1 (Class A Residential), R-2 (Class B Residential), A (Agricultural), C (Commercial), and I (Industrial). Single-family and two-family dwellings are permitted by right in R-1 and R-2; apartment buildings are allowed in R-1 by special permit [3].

Quick Status Summary

Short-Term Rentals ALLOWED

Short-term rentals are not addressed by a dedicated ordinance and operate under the same Rental Registration and Inspection framework as long-term rentals (Ordinance 58) [2]. Operators must obtain a Certificate of Compliance, pass an inspection, and pay the rental inspection fee. Confirm with the Village Clerk for current registration application and any operating conditions before listing.

Long-Term Rentals ALLOWED

Long-term rentals are permitted in residential districts and are subject to mandatory registration and inspection under Ordinance 58 [2]. Inspection fee is $60 for the first unit, $30 each additional dwelling unit, and $45 for re-inspections [2]. Annual registration is required; submit in person at the Village Office during posted hours.

Rental Regulations

1 Where STRs Are Allowed (Zoning)

The Village of Martin has no separate short-term rental ordinance. STRs are treated as rental dwelling units under Ordinance 58 and follow the same residential zoning rules as long-term rentals [2]. Single-family and two-family dwellings are permitted by right in the R-1 (Class A Residential) and R-2 (Class B Residential) districts under Ordinance 20 [3]. Apartment buildings require a special permit in R-1 [3].

Specific district boundaries and parcel-level zoning aren’t published as a searchable interactive map by the village. For a specific property, look up the parcel on the Allegan County Parcel Viewer [4] to confirm it sits inside village limits, then confirm the zoning district directly with the Village Clerk.

📄 Zoning Ordinance 20 (PDF)🗺 Allegan County Parcel Viewer📞 Call Village Clerk
2 Registration & Permit Process

Submit the rental registration application in person at the Village Office at 1609 N. Main Street during posted hours (Monday–Friday, 8:00–11:00 a.m.). The village does not currently maintain an online portal for rental registration [1].

Under Ordinance 58 (amended by 58-1 in 2009), the property owner must register each rental dwelling unit and obtain a Certificate of Compliance before renting the property [2]. Registration is renewed annually, and a property inspection is required at initial registration and at the renewal cycle established by the village.

Application pathIn person at Village Office
Required documentRental Registration / Certificate of Compliance application (request at office)
InspectionRequired before issuance
Office hoursMon–Fri 8:00–11:00 a.m. (verify before visit)
For investors and out-of-area owners: Because the village office has limited hours and accepts paper applications only, plan multiple visits or coordinate by phone in advance. Verify with the Clerk that all required documentation is included before submitting.
📞 Call Village Office📧 Email Village Office🗺 Directions
3 Fees & Penalties

Rental inspection fees set by Ordinance 58-1 (2009 amendment) [2]:

Rental inspection fee — first dwelling unit$60.00
Rental inspection fee — each additional unit on premises$30.00
Re-inspection fee (per unit)$45.00
Annual registration feeConfirm current rate with Village Clerk

The amendment establishes the inspection fees; the underlying annual registration fee under the original Ordinance 58 is set separately and may have been adjusted by subsequent council action. Confirm before submitting an application.

Civil infractions for ordinance violations (including renting without a current Certificate of Compliance) are enforced under Ordinance 60 [5].

📄 Ordinance 58-1 (Fee Amendment, PDF)📄 Civil Infractions Ord. 60 (PDF)📞 Confirm Current Fees
4 Inspections & Safety Requirements

A property inspection is required before the Certificate of Compliance is issued and at each renewal cycle [2]. Inspections are coordinated through the Village Office and conducted by the village’s designated inspector. The village adopts the Building Code through Ordinance 24 and assigns enforcement to a local inspector under Ordinance 38 [6].

Common inspection items for Michigan villages of this size include: working smoke and CO detectors on each level and outside sleeping areas, electrical service free of exposed wiring or missing covers, hot water and heat in operating condition, no open or expired building permits, and habitable rooms meeting basic light/ventilation/egress requirements. The village’s specific inspection checklist is available at the Village Office on request.

Note: Village of Martin’s rental ordinance does not impose its own occupancy formula (square-feet-per-person). Standard Michigan property maintenance code applies. Confirm allowable occupancy with the inspector at the time of inspection.
📄 Building Code Ord. 24 (PDF)📄 Building Code — Local Inspector Ord. 38 (PDF)📞 Schedule Inspection
5 Operating Rules (Nuisance, Parking, Signs, Fireworks)

STR operators in Martin must follow the same general village ordinances that apply to all residents and property owners. The most relevant for visitor-occupied properties:

  • Public nuisance. Ordinance 13 prohibits public nuisances, which include excessive noise and conditions affecting neighboring property [7]. Guests must comply.
  • Parking on streets. Ordinance 17 regulates overnight and time-of-day parking on public streets [8]. Overflow guest parking on the street can trigger violations — provide on-property parking instructions.
  • Signs & banners. Ordinance 9 regulates display signs and advertising banners [9]. Free-standing rental property signs in the right-of-way are restricted.
  • Living in a camper/RV. Ordinance 6 (as amended) restricts use of campers, trailers, and house cars as dwellings [10]. Renting space for RV camping is not permitted as a substitute for a Certificate-of-Compliance dwelling rental.
  • Firearms / hunting. Ordinance 14 prohibits hunting and the use of firearms within the village [11]. Worth mentioning in any guest house-rules document.
  • Fireworks. The Michigan Fireworks Safety Act (PA 256 of 2011) governs consumer fireworks use; villages may further restrict times. Guests should be directed to Michigan state limits as the floor.
📄 Public Nuisance Ord. 13 (PDF)📄 Parking Ord. 17 (PDF)📄 Signs Ord. 9 (PDF)
6 Permit Caps, Moratoriums & Recent Changes

The Village of Martin does not currently have a permit cap, moratorium, or short-term-rental-specific licensing program in effect. All rental units (long-term or short-term) operate under the same Ordinance 58 Rental Registration and Inspection framework, last materially amended by Ordinance 58-1 in 2009 [2].

If the council adopts a new STR-specific ordinance, this guide will be updated. Operators should monitor the Village’s meetings page and the published agendas for any rental-related changes.

📅 Village Meetings & Agendas📂 All Village Ordinances
1 Where LTRs Are Allowed (Zoning)

Long-term rentals (residential leases) are permitted in residential zoning districts — principally R-1 and R-2 — where single-family and two-family dwellings are uses of right [3]. Apartment buildings (3+ units) require a special-permit approval in R-1 under Section 3.01 of Ordinance 20 [3]. Mixed-use and accessory dwelling configurations require parcel-level verification with the Village.

The 1967 Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance 20) was scanned for online publication, so by-district use chart details aren’t directly searchable in the PDF. For any specific property, look up the parcel on the Allegan County Parcel Viewer [4] and confirm the district directly with the Village Clerk.

📄 Zoning Ordinance 20 (PDF)📄 Planning & Zoning Ord. 25 (PDF)📞 Ask Village Clerk
2 Registration & Permit Process

Submit the rental registration application in person at the Village Office (1609 N. Main Street) during Monday–Friday office hours (8:00–11:00 a.m.). The village does not currently maintain an online application portal [1].

Under Ordinance 58, each rental dwelling unit must be registered with the village and a Certificate of Compliance issued before the unit is occupied by tenants [2]. The Certificate is renewed on the village’s posted renewal cycle and requires a property inspection at initial issuance.

SubmissionIn person, Village Office
Office hoursMon–Fri 8:00–11:00 a.m. (confirm before visit)
FormRental Registration / Certificate of Compliance application (request at office)
InspectionRequired at initial registration
📞 Call Village Office📧 Email Village Office🗺 Directions to Village Office
3 Fees & Penalties
Rental inspection fee — first dwelling unit$60.00
Rental inspection fee — each additional unit on premises$30.00
Re-inspection fee (per unit)$45.00
Annual registration feeConfirm with Village Clerk

Fees set by Ordinance 58-1 (amendment to Section 8.2 of Ordinance 58, effective 2009) [2]. Civil-infraction penalties under Ordinance 60 apply to operating without a current Certificate of Compliance [5].

📄 Ord. 58-1 Fee Amendment (PDF)📄 Civil Infractions Ord. 60 (PDF)
4 Inspections & Safety Requirements

The Village of Martin requires a property inspection before the Certificate of Compliance is issued and at the renewal cycle established under Ordinance 58 [2]. The Village adopts the Building Code under Ordinance 24 and conducts enforcement through a local inspector under Ordinance 38 [6]. Plumbing and mechanical code enforcement is conducted by Allegan County inspectors under Ordinances 39 and 41 [12].

Properties on private septic and well systems — common in this part of Allegan County — should also have current Allegan County Health Department records. For point-of-sale and lender-requested evaluations, the County typically returns evaluation results within 14 business days [13].

📄 Building Code Ord. 24 (PDF)🏥 Allegan County Environmental Health📞 County Env. Health (269-673-5415)
5 Tenant Rights & Eviction Resources

Michigan landlord-tenant relationships are governed by state law (MCL 554.601 et seq. for security deposits, the Truth in Renting Act, and the Summary Proceedings Act for eviction). The State Bar of Michigan publishes a free Practical Guide for Tenants and Landlords covering leases, security deposits, repairs, and the eviction process [14]. These rules apply equally in the Village of Martin and are not modified by local ordinance. Eviction filings for Martin properties are heard by Allegan County’s 57th District Court [15].

📄 Practical Guide for Tenants & Landlords (PDF)⚖ 57th District Court (Allegan County)

Official Resources

Ordinances
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Ordinance 58-1 – Rental Registration & Inspection (Fee Amendment)
Adopted 2009; amends Section 8.2 of Ord. 58
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Zoning Ordinance 20
Original village zoning ordinance (1967)
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Planning & Zoning Implementation – Ordinance 25
Village planning & zoning framework
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Building Code Ordinance 24
Adopts construction & maintenance standards
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Building Code – Local Inspector (Ord. 38)
Inspector designation for village
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Mechanical Code – County Inspector (Ord. 39)
Mechanical inspections by Allegan County
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Plumbing Code – County Inspector (Ord. 41)
Plumbing inspections by Allegan County
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Public Nuisance Ordinance 13
Defines and abates public nuisances
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Parking on Public Streets – Ordinance 17
Overnight & time-of-day parking restrictions
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Display Signs & Banners – Ordinance 9
Regulates signs in the village
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Living in Campers/Trailers – Ordinance 6
Restricts use of campers as dwellings
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Firearms & Hunting Prohibition – Ordinance 14
No hunting/firearms in the village
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Civil Infractions Ordinance 60
Enforcement framework for ordinance violations
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Dangerous Buildings – Ordinance 56
Regulation & abatement of dangerous buildings
Maps
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Allegan County Parcel Viewer
Parcels, utilities, tax info
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Allegan County Interactive Mapping
Layers: zoning, FEMA, aerials
Portals & Lookups
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All Village of Martin Ordinances
Full index of village ordinances
Contact & Directions
📞
Village Office Phone
269-672-7777
📧
Village Office Email
martinmi49070@gmail.com
🗺
Directions to Village Office
1609 N. Main St., Martin, MI 49070
🌐
Village of Martin Website
Main municipal site
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Allegan County Environmental Health
Septic & well permits/inspections
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Allegan County 57th District Court
Eviction filings for Martin properties

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
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Michigan Treasury
State tax info

Explore Rental Guides — Allegan County

Every municipality in Allegan County. Click any to view its rental guide — or request one if it’s not yet live. View the Allegan County hub →

STRs Allowed
STRs Capped/Limited
STRs Heavily Restricted
STRs Not Allowed
Unverified
Guide Coming Soon

Looking at a property in a different county? View all Southwest Michigan rental guides →

Buying, selling, or investing in the Village of Martin?

Martin is a small Allegan County village with limited office hours and paper-based registration, the kind of place where local knowledge prevents wasted trips. I help investors and homeowners work through rental registration, inspections, and the right-fit zoning question before they buy.

Schedule a Consultation Call (269) 235-9910

Sources & Downloads

  1. 1
    Village of Martin – official website https://villageofmartinmi.org/
    Official village site; office contact, hours, ordinance index, meetings page.
    Verified: 2026-05-11
  2. 2
    Village of Martin – Ordinance 58-1 (Amendment to Rental Registration & Inspection) https://assets.zyrosite.com/mePJOP9pW3H2PMXL/58—1—amendment-to-ordinance-58-niB2utXzVJ6s551W.pdf
    PDF of the 2009 amendment establishing $60 first-unit / $30 per additional unit / $45 re-inspection fees under Ordinance 58.
    Verified: 2026-05-11
  3. 3
    Village of Martin – Zoning Ordinance 20 https://assets.zyrosite.com/mePJOP9pW3H2PMXL/20—zoning-ordinance-mkmgECwCIySVz4en.pdf
    Scanned PDF of the 1967 zoning ordinance establishing R-1, R-2, A, C, and I districts. Single- and two-family dwellings permitted by right in R-1 and R-2; apartment buildings allowed in R-1 by special permit.
    Verified: 2026-05-11
  4. 4
    Allegan County Parcel Viewer https://gis.allegancounty.org/portal_webadaptor/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=2ec1c68c8edc4ef595f41cc10596f3eb
    Official Allegan County GIS parcel viewer for property and parcel data.
    Verified: 2026-05-11
  5. 5
    Village of Martin – Ordinance 60 (Civil Infractions) https://assets.zyrosite.com/mePJOP9pW3H2PMXL/60—civil-infractions-ordinance-X8pmJQXfU8p7Hip8.pdf
    Civil-infractions enforcement framework that applies to ordinance violations including rental compliance.
    Verified: 2026-05-11
  6. 6
    Village of Martin – Ordinance 24 (Building Code) & Ordinance 38 (Local Inspector) https://assets.zyrosite.com/mePJOP9pW3H2PMXL/24—building-code-ordinance-MTZhit2NXgyWNLXI.pdf
    Adopts the Michigan Building Code locally; Ordinance 38 designates a local inspector for enforcement.
    Verified: 2026-05-11
  7. 7
    Village of Martin – Ordinance 13 (Public Nuisances) https://assets.zyrosite.com/mePJOP9pW3H2PMXL/13—public-nuisances-R3ezZ3mlYvMs5lZA.pdf
    Defines and abates public nuisances applicable to renter conduct (excessive noise, neighbor impact).
    Verified: 2026-05-11
  8. 8
    Village of Martin – Ordinance 17 (Parking on Public Streets) https://assets.zyrosite.com/mePJOP9pW3H2PMXL/17—traffic-on-public-streets—regulating-controlling-the-time-of-parking-vehicles-trailers-yzM638X2OUDTOJRq.pdf
    Overnight and time-of-day on-street parking restrictions.
    Verified: 2026-05-11
  9. 9
    Village of Martin – Ordinance 9 (Signs & Banners) https://assets.zyrosite.com/mePJOP9pW3H2PMXL/09—defining-regulating-use-of-display-signs-and-advertising-banners-slyEK5YBNOc5CQHO.pdf
    Defines and regulates display signs and advertising banners.
    Verified: 2026-05-11
  10. 10
    Village of Martin – Ordinance 6 (Trailers/House Cars) https://assets.zyrosite.com/mePJOP9pW3H2PMXL/06—define-auto-trailers-house-cars-regulate-use-provide-licensing-provide-penalties-for-violation-OXVooHOCX27JkMfw.pdf
    Regulates trailers, house cars (campers), and similar structures used as dwellings.
    Verified: 2026-05-11
  11. 11
    Village of Martin – Ordinance 14 (Firearms & Hunting Prohibition) https://assets.zyrosite.com/mePJOP9pW3H2PMXL/14—prohibit-hunting-within-the-village-of-martin-prohibit-use-of-firearms-fFPzZM8bB6TNJZx3.pdf
    Prohibits hunting and the use of firearms within the village limits.
    Verified: 2026-05-11
  12. 12
    Village of Martin – Ordinances 39 & 41 (County Mechanical/Plumbing Inspectors) https://assets.zyrosite.com/mePJOP9pW3H2PMXL/41—plumbing-code—county-inspector-ny3sMNtPTrme9DIP.pdf
    Assigns plumbing & mechanical inspection authority to Allegan County inspectors.
    Verified: 2026-05-11
  13. 13
    Allegan County Environmental Health https://www.allegancounty.org/health/environmental-health
    Septic, well, and on-site sewage permits and inspections. 14-business-day turnaround on existing-system evaluations at the time of verification.
    Verified: 2026-05-11
  14. 14
    Michigan Legislature – A Practical Guide for Tenants & Landlords https://www.legislature.mi.gov/publications/tenantlandlord.pdf
    Statewide landlord-tenant law, leases, eviction process.
    Verified: 2026-05-11
  15. 15
    Allegan County 57th District Court https://www.allegancounty.org/courts-law-enforcement/57th-district-court
    Court of jurisdiction for landlord-tenant summary proceedings in the Village of Martin.
    Verified: 2026-05-11
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.