Paw Paw Township

STRs are licensed township-wide under Ordinance #288 ^[2] — whether a specific parcel’s zoning district permits the underlying residential dwelling use is governed by the Paw Paw Township Zoning Ordinance (Ord. #266, effective September 9, 2019) ^[4].

The current Zoning Ordinance is published on eCode360 (Chapter 42: Zoning) and the zoning map is maintained as a PDF by the township. For any specific property, verify the zoning district on the map below, then confirm residential dwelling use is permitted by right with the township planner or building/zoning inspector.

Click to open the full Paw Paw Township Zoning Map PDF.

STR applications are paper-only and must be hand-delivered (or mailed) to the township office at 114 N. Gremps Street, Paw Paw, MI 49079 ^[3]. Online submission is not available. Download the registration form, complete it, and submit with the $400 application fee.

Required with the application ^[3]:

• Completed STR Registration Form (owner and designated local agent info)
• Completed STR Application (bedrooms, bathrooms, parking, maximum occupants)
• Floor plan sketch showing size and square footage of all habitable spaces
• Copy of the lease containing maximum occupancy, off-street parking, noise, and other ordinance disclosures
• Written letter or email from the insurance provider confirming STR-coverage liability insurance
• Proof that the homestead exemption is either legally appropriate or not being claimed

Fee schedule is set in the Short-Term Rental Worksheet, Requirements and Agreement section of Ordinance #288 ^[3]. The $400 fee must be submitted with the application; the application will not be processed until the fee is paid and all forms are complete.

License may be revoked for: violations of Ordinance #288, excessive police calls or code violations at the property, failure to obtain inspections or pay fees, failure to maintain liability insurance, or failure to maintain compliance with township ordinances ^[3].

STR licenses require completed health, fire, building, and safety inspections before issuance ^[3]. Inspections are conducted by SAFEbuilt, the township’s contracted inspection and permit department ^[7]. Call 269-729-9244 to schedule.

Per Ordinance #288, the property must have ^[3]:

• Working smoke detectors in each bedroom
• Carbon monoxide detectors on each floor
• A fire extinguisher in each kitchen and near any outdoor cooking device
• An address sign clearly visible from the road
• The license number and maximum occupancy number displayed in all STR advertisements and rental documents

Most common rental-inspection violations flagged by SAFEbuilt ^[8]:

• Smoke detectors not working properly or missing
• Missing GFCI outlets, missing electric junction box covers, exposed wires
• Basement or exterior stair guards missing or in disrepair
• Egress blocked or obstructed
• Water heater drop tube missing or improperly installed
• Heating venting unsafe
• Dryer vent not metal
• Bathroom fan or vent not working
• Windows not easy-open or not sealed

STR operators in Paw Paw Township are bound by Ordinance #288, the township’s other operational ordinances available through eCode360, and standard residential conduct expectations ^[2][9].

• Maximum occupancy. The maximum number of occupants is set by the inspector at the time of licensing and may not be exceeded under the rental agreement ^[3].
• Advertising. The license number AND the approved maximum occupancy number must appear in ALL advertisements and documents relating to the STR (Airbnb/Vrbo listings, websites, signage) ^[3].
• Address sign. Must be clearly visible from the road ^[3].
• Liability insurance. Owners must maintain liability insurance that explicitly covers short-term rental use and claims from short-term occupants, and must submit a written letter or email from the insurance provider confirming the coverage ^[3].
• Homestead exemption. Owners must provide proof that the homestead exemption (Principal Residence Exemption) is legally appropriate or is not being claimed for the property ^[3][10].
• Discontinuing use. Owners must notify the township in writing if they discontinue use of the property as a STR ^[3].

Every STR must have a designated local agent named on the registration form ^[3]. If the owner does not personally serve as the local agent, they must list a separate person on the STR Registration Form with name, address, phone (landline and cell), email, and signature.

The local agent must ^[3]:

• Be available to respond to township, tenant, and neighborhood questions or concerns
• Be authorized by the owner to take remedial action and respond to any violation of Ordinance #288
• Have contact information provided to all renters at the property

If the local agent contact information changes, the owner must notify the township.

No permit cap and no moratorium are currently in effect for Paw Paw Township STRs ^[2][3]. The township’s STR framework was overhauled in 2024 and remains the current rulebook.

• May 13, 2024: Township Board adopted Ordinance #288 regulating short-term rentals ^[2].
• July 1, 2024: Ordinance #288 took effect. All STRs in the township were required to register from this date forward ^[2].
• Ongoing: Licenses are issued first-come, first-served upon a complete application and passing inspections. No cap on the total number of licenses.
• License non-transferability. Buyers of properties currently operating as STRs cannot rely on the seller’s license; they must apply for and obtain their own license, including new inspections ^[3].