Podcast Episode #0003, 4/23/2026

🎧 Episode Title

What Short-Term Rental Ordinances Mean for Northern Michigan Buyers
https://aaronkendallrealestate.com/northern-michigan-str-ordinances/

Episode Summary

Short-term rental ordinances in Northern Michigan determine whether a property can be used for Airbnb or vacation rentals and under what conditions. This episode explains how these rules vary by township and what buyers need to understand before making a purchase.

Key Takeaways for Northern Michigan Buyers & Sellers

• In Grand Traverse County, townships like East Bay often require permits and restrict STRs in residential zones, affecting investment viability.
• Across Leelanau County, zoning districts can limit STR use even within the same township, making verification essential before buying.
• In Kalkaska County, many areas allow STRs with fewer restrictions, offering more flexibility for buyers focused on rental income.
• In Wexford County, lower tourism pressure typically results in fewer STR caps, creating more stable long-term rental opportunities.

The Core Topic

What short-term rental ordinances are and how they affect real estate decisions in Northern Michigan.

Market Explanation

Short-term rental ordinances are locally controlled regulations that determine whether and how a property can be rented for short stays. In April 2026, Northern Michigan continues to see a wide range of approaches across counties, with higher-demand areas generally enforcing stricter rules and more rural areas offering greater flexibility.

What This Means

For buyers and investors, STR ordinances are a primary factor in determining whether a property meets their goals. Understanding local zoning, permit requirements, and enforcement trends helps reduce risk and ensures that a purchase aligns with intended use.

Full Transcript

[00:10]
Welcome to Northern Michigan Real Estate Intelligence. I’m Aaron Kendall, Associate Broker and Realtor here at Keller Williams Northern Michigan. Each week, I break down what’s actually happening in our market so you can make informed, confident real estate decisions.

[0:25]
This week, I want to walk through something that’s becoming more important for buyers and investors across Northern Michigan—what short-term rental, or STR, ordinances actually are.

If you’ve looked at a property and thought, “this could be a great Airbnb,” this is the part of the process that determines whether that idea actually works.

And right now, in April 2026, this is one of the biggest areas where expectations and reality don’t always line up.

[00:57]
At a basic level, a short-term rental ordinance is a set of local rules that govern whether you can rent a property for short stays—typically anything under 30 days—and how you’re allowed to do it.

That includes things like whether STRs are allowed at all, whether you need a permit, how many people can stay in the property, parking requirements, and in some cases, limits on how many rentals are allowed in a specific area.

[01:24]
What makes Northern Michigan different is that these rules are not set at a statewide level.

They’re controlled locally.

So each township—and sometimes each city—can take a different approach.

That’s why you can see two homes that are very similar, even close to each other geographically, but have completely different rental potential.

[01:45]
In areas like Grand Traverse County and parts of Leelanau County, you’ll often see more structured ordinances. That can include zoning restrictions, permit requirements, and in some cases caps on how many short-term rentals are allowed.

Those areas tend to have higher demand, especially near water or within established communities, and that’s usually where regulation increases.

[02:10]
As you move into more rural areas—places like parts of Kalkaska County, Wexford County, or some interior areas of Antrim—you’ll often find fewer restrictions.

That doesn’t mean there are no rules, but it does mean there’s generally more flexibility.

And that’s where a lot of buyers start to recalibrate their expectations.

[02:31]
Because what looks like a great investment on paper isn’t just about the house or the location—it’s about whether the use you have in mind is actually allowed.

Another important piece here is that these ordinances don’t always stay the same.

Some townships are actively reviewing or updating their rules, often in response to housing pressure or community feedback.

[02:53]
So it’s not just about what’s allowed today—it’s about how stable those rules are over time.

That’s why I usually encourage buyers to think beyond a simple yes or no answer.

Instead of asking, “Can I short-term rent this property?”

It’s more useful to ask, “What are the rules in this specific township, how are they enforced, and how likely are they to change?”

[03:17]
If you want a deeper breakdown of how this applies across different counties and townships, I did put together a full article on this, and you can find it at aaronkendallrealestate.com slash northern-michigan-str-ordinances. That walks through where things are more restrictive and where there’s more flexibility.

[03:37]
From a practical standpoint, what this means is that STR ordinances are not a small detail—they’re a core part of the decision.

They determine whether a property can function the way you intend, and they directly affect long-term value and exit strategy.

[03:54]
Before we wrap up, make sure you follow or subscribe so you don’t miss next week’s episode. I’ll continue breaking down what’s happening here in Northern Michigan so you can move forward with clear, grounded information.

And if you’d like to take a closer look at a specific property or township, NorMI™ can help you work through that.

If you’d like to dive deeper on this, you can ask NorMI™ something like: “What short-term rental rules apply in Garfield Township, Grand Traverse County, and how do they affect investment potential right now?” Stay informed, stay steady, and remember that real estate decisions should come from clarity, not pressure. I’ll talk with you next week.