Grand Haven Charter Township

Rental Clerk (Alexis Buckley)

616-604-6344

📧

Community Development

info@ghtmi.gov

13300 168th Avenue, Grand Haven, MI 49417

Directions

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Township Website

ghtmi.gov

Area Overview

Grand Haven Charter Township wraps around the City of Grand Haven on the south shore of the Grand River where it meets Lake Michigan. The township is Ottawa County’s largest by population and one of West Michigan’s busiest beach-vacation gateways, with a housing mix that runs from dense lakeshore condos and short-term rental cottages near Rosy Mound and the State Park to year-round single-family neighborhoods inland along 168th Avenue and Ferris Street.

Short-term rental supply is significant but tightly geographically constrained. STRs (under 28 days) are only permitted inside the Short-Term Rental Overlay Zone, which covers a narrow lakeshore corridor ^[1]^[4]. Outside that overlay, only Long-Term Rentals (28+ days) and Limited Short-Term Rentals (a 14-day-per-year allowance for owner-occupied homes with a Principal Residence Exemption) are allowed ^[1]. The framework was restated in March 2026 under Ordinance 645 ^[2], and every rental of any kind requires annual registration, an inspection, and a Knox Box for STRs.

Quick Status Summary

Short-Term Rentals LIMITED

STRs (rentals under 28 days) may only operate inside the Short-Term Rental Overlay Zone, a narrow Lake Michigan shoreline corridor ^[1]^[4]. Outside the overlay, only Limited Short-Term Rentals (max two periods per year, 6-14 days each, owner must have Principal Residence Exemption) are permitted ^[1]. All STRs require annual registration ($500), inspection, public water and sewer (or county-approved well/septic), and a Knox Box approved by the Township Fire Chief ^[1]^[3].

Long-Term Rentals ALLOWED

Long-term rentals (28+ days) are permitted township-wide with annual registration and inspection. Base fee $150 per property, plus $25 per additional unit for multi-family ^[3]. No cap. Inspection required at registration and on a recurring township-set cycle ^[7].

Rental Regulations

1 Where STRs Are Allowed (Zoning)

STRs may only operate inside the Short-Term Rental Overlay Zone ^[1]^[4]. The overlay is a narrow Lake Michigan shoreline strip running through portions of the township’s western edge. Most of the township is NOT in the overlay and is permanently ineligible for STR use.

For owner-occupied homes outside the overlay: a Limited Short-Term Rental (LSTR) is allowed — up to two rental periods totaling no more than 14 days per calendar year, each at least 6 days. The owner must hold a Principal Residence Exemption (PRE) on the property ^[1]. Rentals under 6 days are absolutely prohibited under the LSTR pathway.

Tap to open the official STR Overlay Zone Map (PDF).

Verify any specific parcel: Check the STR Overlay Map below, then confirm with the Senior Planner before underwriting an STR-based purchase.

🗺 STR Overlay Zone Map (PDF)🗺 All Overlay Districts (PDF)📞 Call Senior Planner

2 Registration & Permit Process

Submit the Annual Rental Application Form (PDF, fillable) to the Township office at 13300 168th Avenue, Grand Haven, MI 49417 ^[3]. The same form is used for STR, LTR, and multi-family registrations.

FormAnnual Rental Application (Fillable PDF)

SubmissionBy mail or in person to Township office

Required deadlinesNew rental units must register within 30 days of first tenant occupancy ^[3]

InspectionRequired before permit issuance ^[7]

Knox Box (STR only)Required, approved by Fire Chief ^[1]^[5]

Water/sewer (STR only)Public service required; or well/septic inspected and approved by Ottawa County DPH ^[1]^[8]

For investors: Permits are tied to the property and require re-registration with each new owner. The buyer is responsible for registering a property they buy as a rental. Confirm overlay-zone eligibility before underwriting any STR cash flow.

📄 Annual Rental Application 📄 Knox Box Procedure 📞 Rental Clerk

3 Fees & Penalties

Fee schedule as published on the Township Rental Guidelines page ^[3].

Short-Term Rental (annual)$500

Long-Term Rental base (single-family)$150

Multi-family per-unit fee (apt/duplex/triplex/quadplex)$25 per additional unit

Initial inspection visit$0 (included)

First re-inspection$50

Second re-inspection$100

Third re-inspection$150

Complaint inspection$50

Attorney warning letter$600

Late fees50% of total fees

Fees are subject to annual update by Township Board resolution; verify the current schedule on the Rental Guidelines page before mailing your check.

4 Inspections & Safety Requirements

An inspection is required before a permit is issued for every rental unit ^[7]. The Township uses a published Inspection Checklist that the Rental Inspector (Eric VanderMeulen) works through item-by-item.

Key safety requirements for STRs and LTRs:

Smoke alarms in every sleeping area and on every floor; CO alarms in/near sleeping areas if any fuel-burning appliance or attached garage is present ^[7].
Heating system inspection using the Township’s published checklist ^[9].
Egress windows in every sleeping room; clear egress paths.
Electrical: no exposed wiring, GFCI in wet locations, all panel covers in place ^[7].
STR-specific: Knox Box installed at an exterior location accessible to the Fire Chief, with a current key set inside ^[1]^[5].
Property maintenance: the unit must comply with Ordinance 607 (International Property Maintenance Code adopted by reference) ^[10].

📄 Inspection Checklist (PDF)📄 Heating System Checklist 📞 Call Rental Inspector

5 Operating Rules (Occupancy, Quiet Hours, Parking, Knox Box)

STR operators in Grand Haven Charter Township are bound by Ordinance 645 ^[2], the Township Noise Ordinance (Ord. 341) ^[11], the Fireworks Ordinance (Ord. 576) ^[12], and the Parking Ordinance (Ord. 299) ^[13].

Occupancy. Set by the inspection determination (number of bedrooms and code-compliant sleeping area). Owners cannot advertise occupancy in excess of the inspected figure ^[1].
Knox Box. Every STR must have an exterior key lockbox approved by the Township Fire Chief, with a working set of keys inside, so fire/EMS can enter during a renter incident ^[1]^[5].
Quiet hours. The Township Noise Ordinance prohibits unreasonable noise audible at the property line; specific quiet-hours windows are enforced by the Ottawa County Sheriff ^[11].
Parking. All overnight guest vehicles must be on the rental parcel; on-street overnight parking is restricted under Ord. 299 ^[13].
Fireworks. Consumer fireworks are restricted to the days allowed under Michigan PA 256 of 2011 plus the Township’s local limitations in Ord. 576 ^[12]. Renters violating fireworks rules are owner-responsible under the Knox Box / 24-hour contact framework.
Trash. Rental owners must provide sufficient refuse service that renters do not overflow containers between pickups.

📄 Noise Ordinance 📄 Fireworks Ordinance 📄 Parking Ordinance

6 Limited Short-Term Rentals (the 14-Day Owner-Occupied Exception)

If your property is outside the STR Overlay Zone but has a Principal Residence Exemption (PRE), you can rent it short-term up to 14 days per calendar year under the Limited Short-Term Rental (LSTR) pathway ^[1]. This is the Township’s accommodation for owner-occupied homes wanting to rent during major Grand Haven events (Coast Guard Festival, etc.) without becoming a year-round STR.

Maximum two rental periods per year
Each period must be at least 6 days and no more than 14 days
Total annual rental days cannot exceed 14
Owner must hold the Principal Residence Exemption on the property
A Notice of Intent to Rent must be filed with the Township before the rental begins ^[14]

Why this matters for buyers: An LSTR pathway means a primary-home buyer outside the overlay still has a legal way to monetize Coast Guard Festival week or a similar peak weekend — but cannot run a year-round STR business.

📄 LSTR Notice of Intent (PDF)📄 STR Program Brochure

7 Complaints, Enforcement & Public Lookup

The Township maintains a dedicated Rental Property Complaint Form and a published list of currently-approved STRs so neighbors and prospective renters can verify a property’s status ^[15]^[16].

Online complaint form: Rental Property Complaint Form
Approved STR list (public): approved-strs.pdf
Ordinance Enforcement Officer: Eric VanderMeulen, (616) 604-6308
Ottawa County Sheriff non-emergency dispatch: (616) 738-2020

The Township escalates repeat issues through written warnings ($600 attorney warning-letter fee on the owner) and can suspend or revoke a rental registration for repeated ordinance violations ^[1]^[3].

📝 File Complaint 🔍 Approved STR List 📞 Enforcement Officer

1 Where LTRs Are Allowed (Zoning)

Long-term rentals (28+ days) are permitted in any zoning district that allows residential dwelling use ^[1]^[6]. Unlike STRs, LTRs are NOT restricted to the overlay zone — if a parcel is zoned residential (R-1, R-2, R-3, AG-RR, RR-AG, etc.) and a dwelling is permitted there, that dwelling can be rented out as an LTR with annual registration.

Where verification matters: For commercial, agricultural, or mixed-use zoned properties, confirm with the Township that the underlying residential use is permitted by right (or grandfathered). Use the zoning map below and contact the Senior Planner for the parcel’s specific district.

Tap to open the full Township Zoning Map (PDF).

🗺 Zoning Map (PDF)📄 Zoning Ordinance 📧 Ask Senior Planner

2 Registration & Permit Process

File the Annual Rental Application Form with the Township by mail or in person at 13300 168th Avenue ^[3]. Single-family rentals and multi-family buildings use the same form; multi-family registrations list each unit on the application.

FormAnnual Rental Application (Fillable PDF)

Registration triggerWithin 30 days of first tenant occupancy ^[3]

InspectionRequired before permit issuance

RenewalAnnual

Qualified Persons ExemptionAvailable for certain owner-relationship rentals — see form ^[17]

📄 Annual Rental Application 📄 Qualified Persons Exemption 🗺 Directions to Township Office

3 Fees & Penalties

LTR base (single-family)$150 annual

Multi-family per-unit (apartments, duplex, triplex, quadplex)+$25 per unit

Example: 4-unit apartment building$150 + $75 = $225 annual

First re-inspection$50

Second re-inspection$100

Third re-inspection$150

Complaint inspection$50

Attorney warning letter$600

Late fees50% of total fees

Fee schedule as published on the Rental Guidelines page ^[3].

4 Inspections & Safety Requirements

All long-term rentals require an inspection before permit issuance, and re-inspection on a Township-set cycle ^[7]. The inspector works through the published checklist; major items include smoke and CO alarms, egress windows, electrical, plumbing, heating system condition, and overall property maintenance compliance with Ordinance 607 (International Property Maintenance Code) ^[10].

The Township’s published Inspection Checklist and Heating System Inspection Checklist are the working documents the inspector uses. Reviewing them before your inspection is the fastest way to pass first-time and avoid the $50 re-inspection fee.

📄 Inspection Checklist 📄 Heating System Checklist 📄 IPMC (Ord. 607)

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 ^[18]. Those rules apply equally in Grand Haven Charter Township and are not modified by local ordinance.

For maintenance and habitability disputes, the Township’s Ordinance Enforcement Officer can investigate IPMC violations on tenant complaint; in serious disputes, tenants typically file in 58th District Court (Ottawa County).

📄 MI Tenant/Landlord Guide 📝 File a Complaint

Special Regulations

Two Ottawa County rules can change the economics of a Grand Haven Township purchase before any rental income is collected: the county-wide Time of Sale septic ordinance, and Lake Michigan shoreline regulation by EGLE.

★ Ottawa County Time of Sale Septic Ordinance

Ottawa County requires a passing well and septic inspection before any property sale closes on parcels served by private well or septic ^[8]. Failed systems must be corrected (or escrowed) before closing. This catches a lot of older lake-area cottages and is the most common surprise expense on a Grand Haven Township purchase outside the public sewer footprint.

Buyers: pull the most recent inspection record from the Ottawa County Department of Public Health Environmental Health division before submitting an offer, and condition the offer on a passing inspection if records aren’t current.

📄 Ottawa County Well & Septic page 📞 Ottawa County DPH (Env Health)📧 eph@miottawa.org

★ Lake Michigan Shoreline (EGLE Critical Dunes / HREA)

Portions of Grand Haven Charter Township’s Lake Michigan shoreline are designated as Critical Dune Areas and/or High Risk Erosion Areas under Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) jurisdiction. Construction, additions, decks, stairs to the beach, shoreline protection, and accessory structures inside these designations all require state permits in addition to local approvals ^[19].

Investors evaluating lakefront STR properties (the only place STRs are allowed under the overlay) should confirm whether any planned improvements fall inside a Critical Dune or HREA designation before underwriting renovation budgets.

📄 EGLE Critical Dunes 📄 EGLE HREA Program

Official Resources

Ordinances

Ordinance 645 — Rental Regulation (Restated)

March 2026 restatement — STR, LSTR, LTR framework

Zoning Ordinance (Oct 2025)

Full ordinance — district use chart, overlay zones

Ordinance 607 — International Property Maintenance Code

Standards rental inspections enforce

Ordinance 341 — Noise Ordinance

Quiet hours, nuisance noise

Ordinance 576 — Fireworks Ordinance

Consumer fireworks limits

Ordinance 299 — Parking Ordinance

On-street and overnight parking rules

Forms & Applications

Annual Rental Application (STR/LTR)

Fillable PDF — single form for all rentals

14-day owner-occupied exception

LSTR Notice of Intent

Rental Inspection Checklist

What the inspector checks

Heating System Inspection Checklist

Furnace/boiler items

Knox Box Purchasing Procedure

Required for STRs — Fire Chief approved

Qualified Persons Exemption

Owner-relationship LTR exemption

STR Program Brochure

One-page program summary

Maps

Short-Term Rental Overlay Zone Map

Where STRs are permitted

All Overlay Districts Map

Combined overlay reference

What zoning may change to

Future Land Use Map

Ottawa County GIS Property Mapping

Parcels, utilities, sewer, tax info

Township floodplain reference

FEMA Floodplain Map

Wastewater Collection System Map

Where public sewer serves

Portals & Lookups

Approved Short-Term Rentals (Public List)

Verify any property's STR status

Approved Long-Term Rentals (Public List)

Registered LTR roster

Rental Property Complaint Form

Online — township handles

BS&A Property Info (Tax/Assessing)

Parcel records, taxes paid

Contact & Directions

Rental Clerk — Alexis Buckley

616-604-6344

Senior Planner — Cassandra Chaphalkar

616-604-6340

Rental Inspector — Eric VanderMeulen

616-604-6308

Township Office — Main Line

616-842-5988