Montague

Short-term rentals are permitted in residential districts citywide, subject to the operating conditions in Sec. 18-254 ^[1]. There is no separate “commercial lodging” classification; an STR is a residential dwelling use that happens to be rented short-term. For commercial, industrial, or mixed-use parcels, the underlying residential dwelling use itself must be permitted in that district.

The City of Montague Zoning Ordinance (effective January 1, 2018) governs district boundaries and use permissions ^[3]. Specific by-district permissions aren’t reliably summarized in machine-readable form. For any specific property, verify the parcel’s zoning district on the map below, then confirm residential dwelling use with the Zoning Administrator before applying.

📄 Open the City of Montague Zoning Map (PDF)

Submit the Rental Registration Application by mail or in person to City Hall, 8778 Ferry Street, Montague, MI 49437 ^[2]. No online portal. The form covers both STR and LTR applicants with a checkbox to indicate classification.

Required information on the application: rental address, number of units, maximum occupancy, owner contact details, property manager / local agent details (if applicable), and verification that all City taxes, fines, and fees are current ^[1]. Family-occupied dwellings (grandparent, parent, child, current spouse of the owner) are exempt from registration but the owner must provide proof of the relationship ^[1].

Failing to register a rental dwelling is itself a violation ^[1]. Renewal can also be withheld if the property has unaddressed violation notices ^[1]. Specific civil-infraction dollar amounts are set under the City’s general schedule of fines (Chapter 1, General Provisions) ^[4] — verify the current amount with the City Clerk before relying on a figure.

Chapter 18, Article VI does not specify a mandatory pre-occupancy or routine rental inspection cycle in the ordinance text ^[1]. The application packet does not require an inspection report at submission. However, the City reserves the right to inspect rental records and the dwelling itself when responding to a complaint or suspected violation ^[1].

Separate from the rental registration program, all construction and alterations require permits through the White Lake Area Building Inspection Board (a joint board with Montague Township and Whitehall Township) ^[5]. Required Inspections are documented in a published PDF.

Short-term rentals must meet every condition in Sec. 18-254 ^[1]. Missing any one of these disqualifies the use as an STR under the ordinance:

• 120-day annual cap. Occupancy by paying renters cannot exceed 120 days per year. Beyond 120 days, the dwelling is by definition a long-term rental and must register as such ^[1].
• Registration certificate posted. The City-issued certificate must be displayed in the front window during occupancy. No off-site signage advertising the rental is permitted ^[1].
• On-site parking only. All vehicles (including RVs and trailers) must park on the property. Parking must meet City zoning standards for location, size, ingress/egress. No street parking ^[1].
• Trash containers. Garbage receptacles may be roadside no more than 1 day before pickup and must be moved within 1 day after collection. Storage area for receptacles must meet City zoning standards ^[1].
• Residential appearance. The exterior of the dwelling cannot have anything other than a residential appearance when located in a residential district ^[1].
• No nuisance noise, odor, or vibration discernible beyond the property line ^[1]. Chapter 46 (Offenses) sets the city-wide noise prohibition ^[6].

If the property owner does not reside within 30 miles of the City of Montague, the owner must designate a responsible local agent who can address issues that arise ^[1]. The agent’s name, address, cell phone, and email must be included on the registration application ^[2].

This rule applies to all rental classifications (STR and LTR alike) and is aimed at investor-owned and out-of-state-owned properties. The City uses the agent’s contact information when issuing notices, orders, or complaint follow-ups.

Rental registrations do not automatically transfer when a property is sold. Sec. 18-252(g) prohibits transfer of a registration certificate without the written consent of the City’s Zoning Administrator ^[1]. A new owner must re-register the dwelling within 60 days of assuming ownership ^[1].