Jefferson Township

STRs are not separately regulated in Jefferson Township. Because there is no short-term rental ordinance on the books ^[1], the practical question is whether the parcel’s underlying zoning district permits a single-family (or two-family) dwelling use. Where dwelling use is permitted, occupying that dwelling under a short-term lease is not prohibited by ordinance.

From the Article 3 Permitted Uses Table (Table 3-2) ^[2]:

• Single-family dwelling, by right (BR): A-1 Agricultural, RR Rural Residential, R-1 Low Density Residential, R-2 High Density Residential, R-3 High Density Lakefront Residential.
• Two-family dwelling, by right (BR): R-1 and R-2 only.
• Multiple family dwellings, by right (BR): R-MF only.
• Bed and Breakfast, Special Land Use (S): A-1, RR, and R-3 (a separate commercial-character use, distinct from a residential dwelling rented short-term).
• Hotels and motels, Special Land Use (S): C-1 General Commercial only.

For any specific property, verify the zoning district on the map below before underwriting any STR-based valuation, then confirm the intended use with the Zoning Administrator by appointment.

🗺 View the 2024 Adopted Township Zoning Map (PDF)

There is no township-level STR registration or permit process in Jefferson Township. The township does not issue or require a short-term rental permit, and the Forms page does not include any STR application, affidavit, or renewal form ^[5].

What an STR operator IS required to do:

• Confirm the parcel’s zoning permits dwelling use. Single-family dwelling is by-right in A-1, RR, R-1, R-2, and R-3 ^[2]. If your intended use is a Bed and Breakfast (a defined commercial use under Section 13.5 of the Zoning Ordinance), a Special Land Use Application is required, not a rental permit.
• Register with the Michigan Department of Treasury for the 6% Use Tax applicable to transient lodging, and remit accommodations taxes per state law.
• Comply with Cass County septic and well rules if the property is on private waste/water systems. The Van Buren/Cass District Health Department handles inspections, complaints, and new-permit issuance ^[3].
• Obtain a building, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical permit if making any improvements to the property; permit forms are on the township Forms page ^[5].

Because Jefferson Township does not publish a separately codified fee schedule online, fees set by Board resolution should be confirmed by phone (269-445-3941) before submitting any application.

Jefferson Township does not conduct rental safety inspections. There is no township rental inspection program because there is no STR or LTR registration program.

Inspection authority for an STR property in Jefferson Township sits with three other entities:

• Cass County Building Department inspects new construction and alterations under Michigan’s adopted building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical codes. Permit forms are on the township Forms page ^[5].
• Van Buren/Cass District Health Department inspects and permits private septic systems and wells, monitors beach water quality on inland lakes, and follows up on environmental health complaints (sewage leaks, unsafe water) ^[3].
• State Fire Marshal has authority over Bed & Breakfast facilities under Michigan’s Public Health Code and rooming-house rules; standard single-family dwellings rented short-term are not separately fire-inspected unless a complaint triggers review.

Common safety items investors should confirm at acquisition for any rural-township property: working smoke and CO detectors on every level, GFCI outlets in wet areas, an unobstructed second egress from every sleeping room, a recent septic inspection (Cass County does not require seller-disclosure point-of-sale septic inspection countywide, so this is buyer-due-diligence), and well water testing for nitrates and bacteria.

Jefferson Township does not have an STR-specific operating-rules ordinance, with no quiet-hours rule, no occupancy cap, and no parking ordinance tied to short-term rentals. Operators are bound by:

• The Zoning Ordinance (Ord. 01-24), which sets site development requirements (lot coverage, setbacks, accessory structures), parking requirements under Article 9, signs under Article 8, and exterior lighting under Section 11.8 ^[2].
• Michigan state nuisance law and the Cass County Sheriff’s Department handle disturbances, noise complaints, parking violations on county roads, and underage drinking at the county level. The non-emergency dispatch number is 269-445-2900.
• Marijuana / Marihuana ordinances: Jefferson Township has separate ordinances regulating adult-use and medical marijuana establishments. STR operators do not need a marijuana permit, but should be aware that on-site retail or processing is a Special Land Use ^{[8] [9]}.
• HOA covenants on Diamond Lake, Stone Lake, and other private-association lakes are not preempted by the township ordinance. Always pull the recorded covenants for the specific subdivision.

If your operation is structured as a Bed and Breakfast (owner-occupied with paid sleeping accommodations), it is treated separately under the Zoning Ordinance and requires Special Land Use approval ^[2].

• Where allowed (Special Land Use only): A-1 Agricultural, RR Rural Residential, and R-3 High Density Lakefront Residential.
• Where prohibited: R-1, R-2, R-MF, and R-MHC.
• Application path: Special Land Use Application (PDF below) submitted to the Planning Commission, which holds a public hearing and makes a recommendation to the Township Board for final approval.
• Standards: Section 13.5 of the Zoning Ordinance specifies the use and development standards that apply ^[2].

This distinction matters because a single-family dwelling that hosts paying guests episodically (the typical STR use case) is NOT a Bed and Breakfast under the ordinance; the B&B classification implies a more sustained, owner-occupied lodging business with on-site meals.