Coopersville

289 Danforth Street, Coopersville, MI 49404

Directions

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City Website

cityofcoopersville.com

Area Overview

Coopersville is a small city of roughly 4,500 residents in northeastern Ottawa County, sitting along I-96 about 20 miles west of Grand Rapids and 25 miles east of Grand Haven and Lake Michigan. The community is best known as the home of the Coopersville & Marne Railway, the Del Shannon Memorial, and a working dairy and agricultural economy, with a compact downtown along Main Street served by City Hall at 289 Danforth Street ^[1].

Coopersville has not adopted a dedicated short-term rental (STR) ordinance as of May 2026. The city regulates rental housing through its Codified Ordinances and zoning ordinance hosted on Municode ^[2], with day-to-day building and code work contracted to Professional Code Inspectors of Michigan (PCI) ^[3]. There is no city-administered annual rental registration or inspection program of the kind you see in Grand Rapids, Holland, or Kalamazoo — rental compliance is driven by underlying zoning, the state housing law, and Ottawa County Environmental Health for properties on private well or septic ^[4].

Practical takeaway for investors and landlords: a long-term rental in a residentially-zoned parcel is generally permitted by right. A short-term rental (under 30 days, e.g. Airbnb / Vrbo) sits in a gray zone — the use is not expressly listed in any STR ordinance and should be confirmed parcel-by-parcel with the Zoning Administrator before listing ^[5].

Quick Status Summary

Short-Term Rentals VERIFY WITH CITY

Coopersville has no dedicated short-term rental ordinance, license, or registration program. STRs are not expressly named in the zoning ordinance, so eligibility depends on the underlying district’s permitted uses and the Zoning Administrator’s interpretation ^[2]. Confirm with the Zoning Administrator (Kim Borgman, 616-997-2113) before listing a property ^[5].

Long-Term Rentals ALLOWED

Long-term residential rentals (leases of 30 days or longer) are permitted in residential zoning districts under standard single-family, two-family, and multi-family rules ^[2]. There is no city rental registration or inspection program; landlord-tenant rights follow Michigan state law ^[6]. Properties on private well or septic must comply with Ottawa County Environmental Health requirements ^[4].

Rental Regulations

1 Where STRs Are Allowed (Zoning)

Coopersville has not adopted a short-term rental ordinance, and STRs are not expressly listed as a permitted or special use in any zoning district ^[2]. That makes eligibility a parcel-by-parcel question for the Zoning Administrator — not a simple yes/no from the use chart.

The city is divided into the following districts on the 2022 Zoning Map ^[7]: AG (Agricultural), R-1 (Low Density Residential), R-2 (Single Family Residential), R-3 (Medium Density Residential), R-4 (Multi-Family Residential), R-5 (Mobile Home Parks), C-1 (Business), C-2 (Central Business), MSD (Motorist Service), I-1 (Light Industrial), I-2 (Heavy Industrial), and PUD / Mixed Use PUD. The city’s ordinances are codified on Municode ^[2].

For any specific property, verify the zoning district on the map below, then confirm with the Zoning Administrator whether a short-term rental use is permitted, prohibited, or requires a special land use permit.

Click to open the full 2022 Coopersville Zoning Map (PDF).

🗺 Zoning Map (PDF)📄 Codified Ordinances 📧 Ask Zoning Admin

2 Registration & Permit Process

There is no city short-term rental registration or permit process — Coopersville has not adopted one ^[2]. If the Zoning Administrator confirms an STR use is permitted on a specific parcel, no separate STR application is filed with the city.

Operators should still confirm whether other approvals apply:

Home Occupation Permit — if the property is owner-occupied and the rental activity rises to a home-based business, the city’s Home Occupation form may apply ^[8].
Business License — rental of property is generally not licensed by the city, but confirm with the City Clerk before relying on this ^[9].
State of Michigan 6% Use Tax — required on all stays under 30 days. This is state-level, not local ^[10].
Building or Mechanical Permits — required for any construction or system work on the property; handled by PCI ^[3].

Before you list: Email or call Kim Borgman (Zoning Administrator / City Clerk) at 616-997-2113 with the parcel address and ask plainly whether an STR is permitted, prohibited, or requires a special use permit. Get the answer in writing.

📧 Email Zoning Admin 📞 Call Clerk: 616-997-2113 📄 Home Occupation Form

3 Fees & Penalties

No city STR registration fee exists because no STR program exists ^[2]. Standard city and county fees that may apply to an STR property:

City STR registration feeNone (no program)

Site plan review (if required)$350 new / $150 addition or renovation ^[11]

Building permit (any construction)Per PCI fee schedule ^[3]

State Use Tax (rentals under 30 days)6% of gross rental ^[10]

Zoning ordinance violationCivil infraction / misdemeanor under city code ^[2]

Operating an STR in a district where it is not a permitted use exposes the owner to zoning enforcement under the Codified Ordinances. Always confirm permitted-use status in writing before advertising.

📄 Codified Ordinances 💵 MI Use Tax Info

4 Inspections & Safety Requirements

Coopersville does not run a routine rental-inspection program ^[3]. Inspections are triggered only when construction permits are pulled, complaints are filed, or a property changes use in a way that requires permitting.

Safety-related requirements that still apply to any rental in Coopersville:

Michigan Building Code & International Property Maintenance Code — enforced through PCI for any work requiring a permit ^[3].
Smoke and CO detectors — required by Michigan state code in all dwellings.
Ottawa County Environmental Health — properties on private well or septic must meet county standards; well/septic permits and real estate evaluations are issued by the county ^[4].
Fire safety — the Coopersville/Polkton Fire Department covers the city; rental owners should ensure unobstructed egress, working alarms, and accessible exits ^[12].

📄 Building Dept (PCI)📞 PCI: 616-667-8803 📄 County Well & Septic 🚒 Fire Dept

5 Operating Rules (Occupancy, Quiet Hours, Parking)

Without a dedicated STR ordinance, STR operators must follow the same general-offense and zoning rules that apply to any residential occupant ^[2]. These rules are enforced complaint-driven by the Ottawa County Sheriff and the city.

Noise and nuisance: Conduct that disturbs neighbors is enforceable under Coopersville’s General Offenses Code ^[13]. There is no STR-specific quiet-hours window codified.
Parking: On-street and overnight parking is governed by city traffic and parking ordinances; check posted signs. Off-street parking minimums depend on dwelling type per the zoning ordinance ^[2].
Occupancy: The zoning ordinance regulates the density and unit count per district (R-1 through R-4), but there is no STR-specific guest cap ^[2]. Bedroom counts and life-safety occupancy are governed by state building code.
Trash & recycling: Curbside service is run through the city; operators should ensure cans are stored out of view between pickups.
Signs: Rental-property signage is governed by Chapter 1282 of the zoning ordinance and may require a Sign Permit ^[14].

📄 General Offenses Code 📄 Sign Permit 🚓 Ottawa Co. Sheriff

6 Local Agent / 24-Hour Contact Requirement

Coopersville does not require a designated local agent or 24-hour contact for STR properties because there is no STR ordinance ^[2]. That said, a non-resident owner is operationally well advised to designate a local manager — complaints route through the Ottawa County Sheriff non-emergency line and the city has no automated STR complaint portal.

Coopersville City Hall: 616-997-9731 (M-Th 7:30AM-5:30PM)
Coopersville/Polkton Fire Department: coopersvillefire.com ^[12]
Ottawa County Sheriff Non-Emergency: 616-738-5100 ^[15]
Emergency: 911

1 Where LTRs Are Allowed (Zoning)

Long-term rentals (leases of 30 days or longer) are permitted in Coopersville’s residential zoning districts under standard single-family, two-family, and multi-family rules ^[2]. No separate LTR classification or special-use permit is required — if the parcel is zoned for the corresponding dwelling type, an LTR is a by-right use.

Residential districts and what they permit:

R-1 (Low Density Residential): single-family detached dwellings ^[2].
R-2 (Single Family Residential): single-family detached dwellings ^[2].
R-3 (Medium Density Residential): single-family, two-family, and limited multi-family per the use chart ^[2].
R-4 (Multi-Family Residential): apartment buildings and multi-family dwellings subject to minimum floor area and density rules ^[2].
R-5 (Mobile Home Parks): manufactured home parks subject to district standards ^[2].
C-2 (Central Business): residential uses are permitted in buildings of two stories or more where commercial is the primary use and residential is on the second floor or above ^[2].

For any specific property, verify the zoning district on the map below before underwriting.

Click to open the full 2022 Coopersville Zoning Map (PDF).

🗺 Zoning Map (PDF)📄 Codified Ordinances 📧 Ask Zoning Admin

2 Registration & Permit Process

Coopersville does not operate a city-administered rental registration or licensing program for long-term rentals ^[3]. Landlords do not file an annual rental permit application with the city.

What you still need to do:

Verify zoning — confirm the parcel is zoned for the dwelling type you’re renting (single-family, two-family, multi-family) using the zoning map ^[7] and confirm with the Zoning Administrator if uncertain.
Building permits for any work — Building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits are issued by PCI (Professional Code Inspectors of Michigan) at 616-667-8803 ^[3]. Use the Building Permit Application PDF for new work ^[16].
Well & septic compliance — if the property is outside the municipal water/sewer footprint, the Ottawa County Department of Public Health regulates well and septic systems and conducts real-estate evaluations on transfer ^[4].
State of Michigan Truth in Renting Act & Landlord-Tenant Law — statewide rules on leases, security deposits, repairs, and eviction apply in full ^[6].

City rental registrationNot required

City annual rental inspectionNot required (no program)

Building permitsVia PCI — 616-667-8803

Well/septic (if applicable)Ottawa County DPH — 616-393-5645

📄 Building Permit App 🏗 Building Dept 💧 County Well & Septic

3 Fees & Penalties

There is no city LTR registration fee because there is no LTR registration program ^[3]. Fees that apply to a Coopersville rental property:

LTR registration fee$0 (no program)

Building permit (any construction)Per PCI fee schedule ^[3]

Site plan review (additions / new builds)$350 new / $150 addition ^[11]

Well permit (Ottawa County DPH)Per county fee schedule ^[4]

Septic permit (Ottawa County DPH)Per county fee schedule ^[4]

Zoning or code violationCivil infraction or misdemeanor under city code ^[2]

Renting a dwelling type in a district that doesn’t permit it (for example, operating a multi-family in an R-1 single-family district) is a zoning violation enforced by the city.

4 Inspections & Safety Requirements

No periodic city inspection cycle applies to long-term rentals in Coopersville ^[3]. Inspections happen only on permitted construction work, on complaint, or as part of a real-estate transfer requiring county environmental evaluation.

Mandatory safety baseline for any LTR:

Michigan Building Code & IPMC — enforced via PCI when permits are pulled ^[3]. No peeling paint, no exposed wiring, no missing electrical covers, no open or expired building permits.
Smoke & CO detectors — required under state code in all dwellings.
Lead-based paint disclosure — federally required for any rental built before 1978.
Ottawa County DPH real-estate evaluation — required on transfer for properties on well/septic before sale; evaluations identify septic-system age, condition, and capacity ^[4].
Egress — bedrooms must have a compliant egress window or door per state building code.

📄 Building Dept (PCI)💧 County Well & Septic 📞 PCI: 616-667-8803

5 Tenant Rights & Eviction Resources

Michigan landlord-tenant relationships are governed by state law (MCL 554.601 et seq.) and the summary proceedings act for evictions. The State Bar of Michigan publishes a free Practical Guide for Tenants and Landlords covering leases, security deposits, repairs, and the eviction process ^[6]. These rules apply in full in Coopersville and are not modified by city ordinance.

Local resources for tenants:

20th Circuit Court (Ottawa County): handles civil matters including landlord-tenant cases ^[17].
Legal Self Help Center (Ottawa County Courts): free legal resources for tenants and landlords without an attorney ^[17].
Legal Aid of Western Michigan: tenant counseling for income-qualified residents.

📄 MI Tenant/Landlord Guide 🏛 Ottawa Legal Self Help

Official Resources

Ordinances

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Coopersville Codified Ordinances

Full code on Municode (zoning, general offenses, etc.)

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General Offenses Code

Noise, nuisance, public conduct rules

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Signs Ordinance (Chapter 1282)

Rental & property signage rules

Forms & Applications

Building Permit Application

PCI-issued, any construction work

Required for home-based business uses

Home Occupation Permit

Business License Application

City Clerk — for commercial uses

City Clerk — any rental signage

Sign Permit Application

Fence Permit Application

Required for new fences

Work in city right-of-way

Right of Way Permit

Maps

Coopersville Zoning Map (2022)

District boundaries — use for zoning questions

Ottawa County Property Mapping

Parcels, owner, utilities, tax info

Ottawa County Property Search

Parcel tax records and delinquencies

Portals & Lookups

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Pay Your City Bill (BS&A)

Utilities, taxes, fees

Contact & Directions

616-997-9731 (M-Th 7:30AM-5:30PM)

City Hall

City Clerk / Zoning Administrator

Kim Borgman — 616-997-2113

Victor Vuong — 616-997-2122

Planning Director

Building Department (PCI)

Professional Code Inspectors of MI — 616-667-8803

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Zoning Administrator Email

kborgman@cityofcoopersville.com

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Planning Director Email

vvuong@cityofcoopersville.com