Holton Township

Short-term rentals are permitted wherever the underlying Zoning Ordinance permits residential dwellings, which is the R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4 Residential Districts plus the township’s Agricultural District.^[2] Holton has no separate STR overlay, no permit cap, and no by-right restriction on nightly or weekly rental of a legal single-family dwelling. The ordinance defines dwellings by structure type and lot dimensions, not by tenancy length, so a property that can legally be occupied as a home can legally be rented out short-term.

For any specific parcel, the residential district designation is the determining factor. Look up the parcel on the township zoning map and confirm with the Building/Zoning Department before purchasing for STR use, especially if the parcel is in an Agricultural District or near a high-density residential pocket where the Camping Ordinance restrictions kick in faster.^[4]

There is no STR registration or permit process in Holton Township. The township does not currently operate a vacation-rental registry, does not require a separate STR license, and has not adopted an STR ordinance through the Township Board.^[2] Operators do NOT need to file an application before listing on Airbnb, Vrbo, or similar platforms.

You will still need to register the property for state lodging tax through the Michigan Department of Treasury (separate from local permitting) and remit the 6% Michigan Use Tax on rental receipts. The State Fire Marshal’s Public Act 368 of 1978 lodging requirements apply to operations exceeding state thresholds; consult the state directly for those.

If you plan to host guests in RVs, tents, glamping units, or other camping units on the parcel rather than inside the dwelling itself, the Camping Ordinance applies and the property owner is responsible for posting a visitor camping permit and keeping campsites compliant.^[3]

No STR registration fee exists in Holton Township because no STR registration is required. The fees that DO apply to an STR operation are: (1) a one-time Building Permit fee if you renovate, add bedrooms, or add an accessory structure (fee schedule attached to the permit application);^[5] (2) a Visitor Camping Permit fee if you host guests in RVs or tents beyond the 14-day annual cap, set by the Township Board and payable at Township Hall;^[3] and (3) standard Muskegon County septic and well permit fees if the property is on private septic or well.^[6][7]

Penalties for violating a township ordinance, including the Camping Ordinance or zoning misuse, are processed under the Civil Infractions Ordinance, which gives the township’s Ordinance Enforcement Officer authority to issue civil infraction tickets.^[8] Penalty amounts are set by the District Court schedule for the type of violation.

Holton Township does not conduct routine rental inspections, life-safety inspections, or pre-listing checks for short-term rentals. The township performs inspections only when triggered by a Building Permit (new construction, renovations, additions, or change of use) or by an Enforcement Department complaint response.^[5][8]

Septic and well systems on rental properties are regulated by Muskegon County Public Health, which inspects on-site systems at the time of new construction, repair, or transfer of ownership when triggered by a buyer’s lender. Operators relying on a private septic should verify the system is sized for the dwelling’s bedroom count and stays within design flow; high-occupancy STR use on an undersized septic is the single most common failure mode for rural rentals.^[6]

State law requires functioning smoke detectors and CO detectors in any dwelling unit; STR operators should also follow lodging-industry best practices (extinguisher, posted egress diagram, clearly numbered address marker for emergency response).

The Camping Ordinance is the rule that matters most for STR operators. Hosting guests in any camping unit (RV, travel trailer, tent, glamping shelter) is capped at 14 total days per calendar year on a given parcel unless a visitor camping permit is on file at Township Hall.^[3] Special-event camping is limited to four consecutive days unless the Township specifically extends the permit. Camping units may NOT be parked overnight on any public street, alley, or right-of-way. Visitor camping permits will not be issued in high-density residential pockets.

The Open Burning Ordinance (effective May 1, 2011) requires a permit before any open burn, prohibits burning of garbage and treated wood, and gives the township authority to suspend burn permissions during dry conditions.^[9] STR listings that advertise fire pits or bonfires should make this clear to guests.

Holton has not adopted a standalone noise ordinance; nuisance behavior is handled through the township’s Civil Infractions Ordinance and ultimately by the Muskegon County Sheriff’s Office.^[8]

As of mid-2026, Holton Township has not introduced an STR-specific ordinance and the Township Board has not added rental registration to its public agendas.^[10] The most active rental-adjacent enforcement remains the Camping Ordinance, particularly during summer special events.

The Township Board meets the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. at Township Hall. Meeting minutes are posted publicly and are the best place to watch for any new rental-related ordinance discussion.^[10] If Holton ever adopts an STR rule, it would be announced through that channel and noticed for public hearing under the Michigan Open Meetings Act before adoption.