Muskegon Heights

Muskegon Heights does not have a short-term rental ordinance. Whether STRs are allowed on a specific parcel turns on whether the underlying zoning district permits residential dwelling use, governed by the Muskegon Heights Zoning Ordinance (adopted 9/2019) ^[4].

The 2019 Zoning Ordinance is distributed as a single PDF and the use chart by district is the controlling reference. For any specific property, verify the zoning district on the map below, then confirm residential dwelling use is permitted by right (or grandfathered) with the Planning/Zoning Department.

📄 Open Zoning Map (PDF)

Submit the city’s Rental Registration Form by mail or in person to the Inspections Department, 2724 Peck Street, Muskegon Heights, MI 49444 ^[3]. Muskegon Heights uses the same paper-form registration for short-term and long-term rentals; there is no separate STR portal.

Required on the registration form ^[3]:

• Owner name, address, phone (LLCs must include identification)
• Local agent name and address (if different from owner)
• Number of bedrooms, number of units
• Dwelling-fire-insurance company, policy number, expiration date, and coverage amount (minimum $10,000) — OR an alternative escrow deposit
• Owner/agent signature and driver’s license number

Fees from the City of Muskegon Heights Fee Schedule (effective April 13, 2026) ^[3]. Fees may be paid by cash, check, or credit card (3.5% surcharge applies).

State of Michigan also imposes a 6% use tax on accommodations rented for less than 30 days ^[9]. Some Muskegon County jurisdictions add accommodation tax through the Convention Facility / Tourism Development Authority — confirm current rate with Visit Muskegon’s STR partner page.

Every rental dwelling must pass inspection before a Certificate of Compliance is issued ^[5]. The Chief Building Official enforces the Muskegon Heights Property Maintenance Code ^[6] together with the State of Michigan Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Electrical Codes.

Common items checked at rental inspection (compiled from the Property Maintenance Code ^[6]):

• Working smoke detectors and carbon-monoxide detectors per code
• Means of egress from each habitable room and from each floor
• Electrical service in good condition; no open splices or missing covers
• Plumbing fixtures functional; hot/cold water supplied
• Heating system functional and adequate
• Property exterior maintained (no peeling paint, intact gutters, weather-tight)
• No chronic code-enforcement complaints unresolved

If the owner does not live at the property, a local agent must be designated in writing on the registration form ^[3]. The agent’s name, address, and phone number become the city’s contact for any code-enforcement, public-safety, or tenant-complaint issue at the property.

Sec. 18-290 dwelling-fire-insurance requirement ^[2]: All commercial property owners and owners of two or more properties with zero percent Principal Residence Exemption (PRE) must obtain a minimum $10,000 fire-insurance policy on each rental property. The policy company name, policy number, and expiration date must be listed on the registration form, or a copy of the policy must be provided. Failure to provide insurance information results in suspension of the rental registration certificate AND a $500 fine.

Alternative escrow option ^[2]: Landlords of one-to-two-unit dwellings may instead deposit funds with the city in lieu of insurance:

• Single-family or 1-2 units: $10,000 minimum escrow
• 3-6 units: $15,000 minimum escrow
• 7-12 units: $20,000 minimum escrow

Escrow funds may be withdrawn only for fire-related demolition or restoration; the landlord must replenish within 10 business days ^[2].