Allendale Charter Township

STRs are permitted only in Agricultural (AG) and Residential (R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, RE) zoning districts under Section 23.24.A of the Zoning Ordinance, added by Ordinance 2026-04 ^[4]. They are not permitted in Office, General Commercial, Service Commercial, Industrial, or PUD districts unless the underlying PUD specifically incorporates a residential dwelling use.

Allendale’s zoning map is district-coded by lot. Verify any specific parcel against the official zoning map below, then confirm with the Zoning Administrator before underwriting an STR strategy.

Click to open the August 2025 official zoning map (PDF).

STR applications are submitted to the Allendale Zoning Administrator at the Township Offices (6676 Lake Michigan Drive, Allendale MI 49401). Per Section 23.24.C, the application must include a floor plan for every floor of the dwelling and a site plan meeting Section 24.05 requirements, plus the name, address, phone, and email of the designated Responsible Local Agent ^[4].

Before a permit is issued, the applicant must submit written evidence that the dwelling has been approved by the Ottawa County Health Department Environmental Health Division for STR use, and that the Township Fire Chief or designee has inspected and approved the dwelling for STR use ^[4].

STR application and renewal fees are set by Township Board resolution and are not currently published on the public fee schedule ^[5][4]. Confirm the current STR fee directly with the Zoning Administrator before applying.

Two separate inspections gate every initial STR permit: a Township Fire Chief inspection and an Ottawa County Health Department Environmental Health Division approval ^[4]. The Fire Chief reinspection repeats every renewal year and must occur within 30 days of submitting the renewal application.

Maximum occupancy for an STR is set by the Fire Chief or the Fire Chief’s designee for the specific dwelling and is enforced as a hard cap ^[4]. Sleeping in tents, accessory buildings, RVs, or trailers on the STR property is prohibited.

Water and sewer: Section 23.24.E.10 requires public water service and public sanitary sewer, OR — if the dwelling uses a private well or septic system — written approval from the Ottawa County Department of Public Health for use of the well or septic with an STR. Properties without municipal utilities should expect a longer permit timeline.

Separate cooking facilities (kitchens) within the STR are prohibited under Section 23.24.E.10.11.

Section 23.24.E sets explicit performance standards for every STR ^[4]:

• Parking: minimum two on-site spaces, plus one additional space for each two additional rental occupants above the first two. No yard parking, no on-street parking. Shared parking does not count unless the applicant submits signed consent from each party sharing the area.
• Principal dwelling only: only the principal dwelling on a lot may be operated as an STR. Accessory buildings, RVs, trailers, and tents may not be slept in.
• Trash: the STR must have adequate receptacles AND a contract with a township-licensed waste hauler with at least weekly pickup. Trash collection areas must be kept sanitary and orderly with no spillage onto the ground.
• Campfires: only in designated fire pits, must comply with the fire code and all township ordinances, and the fire pit must be inspected and approved by the Township Fire Chief.
• Noise: STRs must comply with Chapter 178 of the Township Noise Code.
• Trespass and nuisance: occupants may not encroach or trespass on neighboring properties. Nuisance is defined to include any noise-code violation and any state or township firework violation.
• Neighborhood character: the dwelling’s appearance may not conflict with the residential character of the neighborhood and must be properly maintained.

Every STR must designate a Responsible Local Agent who has a place of residence within 35 miles of the township ^[4]. The Responsible Local Agent may be the owner or an individual with an ownership interest in the ownership group, and is legally responsible for operating the STR in compliance with the ordinance. Township notices served on the Responsible Local Agent are deemed served on the owner.

The owner must post the Responsible Local Agent’s name, address, and telephone number in two places:

• Conspicuously inside the dwelling, AND
• At the driveway apron within one foot of the public or private right-of-way ^[4].

This dual-posting rule lets neighbors and law enforcement reach the agent without needing to enter the property.

Allendale’s STR ordinance is brand new. Key dates:

• Through 2025: No township STR-specific zoning ordinance. STRs operated under the general residential rental program with no permit cap ^[3].
• October 6, 2025: Planning Commission tabled draft STR language to October 20 ^[6].
• November 3, 2025: Planning Commission reviewed legal-counsel revisions to draft Section 23.24 ^[6].
• March 23, 2026: Township Board adopted Ordinance 2026-04, adding Section 23.24 (Short Term Rentals), Section 23.25 (Accessory Dwelling Units), and definitional updates to the Zoning Ordinance ^[7]. The ordinance takes effect on the eighth day after publication of the Notice of Adoption.
• Permit cap: 50 active STR permits township-wide ^[4]. First-come, first-served at the Zoning Administrator’s office.
• Permits non-transferable — a property sale wipes out the seller’s permit.