Overview: Short-term rentals (less than 30 days) are allowed in the Village of Berrien Springs, but only with registration, inspection, and an active rental permit under Ordinance No. 386 (Rental Safety Verification Program). Two STR classes exist—Personal STRs and Business STRs—each with distinct caps, documentation, and operational rules. Compliance is mandatory at all times; operating without a current permit is prohibited.

1) What’s allowed and the overall compliance pathway

• Short-term rentals are expressly regulated and permitted under Berrien Springs Ordinance No. 386, as long as the property meets all registration, inspection, safety, and zoning requirements.
• STR units are categorized as:
  • Personal Short-Term Rental: Owner’s primary residence occupied ≥9 months/year; capped at 6 rentals per 12 months and 30 total days per 12 months; only one personal STR allowed per owner; complex properties cannot be registered as personal STRs.
  • Business Short-Term Rental: Any STR that does not meet the personal STR criteria; may be rented unlimited times per 12 months; complexes may register all or some units as business STRs.
• Zoning: STRs must also comply with the Village Zoning Ordinance (district permissions, parking, and use limitations). Where conflicts exist, the stricter rule applies.
• Legal backdrop: In nearby Swift Estates (Berrien County), the Michigan Supreme Court deadlocked on appeal, leaving in place a lower-court ruling that a 1977 covenant restricting lots to “single-family residence purposes” prohibited short-term rentals. Private covenants and HOA rules can therefore bar STRs even if the city allows them; investors must review subdivision restrictions and HOA declarations before purchase.

2) Step-by-step: How to start an STR business in Berrien Springs

1. Confirm zoning eligibility

• Verify your property is in a zoning district where STRs are permitted and that required parking and site conditions can be satisfied.
• If the property is in a subdivision or HOA, obtain and review covenants/declarations; in Berrien County, covenants have been enforced to prohibit STRs.

2. Register with the Village (within required timelines)

• Register within 10 days of acquiring ownership or before occupancy for new/converted units.
• For existing rentals, comply with the ordinance’s registration and inspection schedule.

3. Designate a Short-Term Rental Agent

• Appoint an agent who can respond on-site within one hour of request by Village law enforcement and who resides or maintains a physical place of business within 10 miles of the STR.
• Post agent contact details prominently (see signage rules below).

4. Complete safety inspection and obtain permit

• After submitting the registration application, the Village will inspect for compliance with the International Property Maintenance Code (adopted 2012), International Fire Code (adopted 2006), and local ordinances.
• Pay all fees prior to inspection; schedule within business hours unless otherwise arranged.
• Permits: Business STR permits are valid for 12 months; standard rental permits are valid for 24 months. Provisional permits may be issued for non-life-safety deficiencies with a stated expiration.

5. Implement operational controls and tenant screening

• Post required signage, maintain on-site landline with free local calls, and publish street address in 4-inch letters.
• Enforce quiet hours (11 pm–7 am), ensure adequate trash service, and confirm age policy (no contracts/tenants under 25; tenant must be present during stay).
• Keep logs of self-inspections between each rental (smoke detectors, common-area lighting, egress doors/windows, railings).

6. Comply with state and local taxes

• Collect and remit Michigan’s 6% use tax on STRs of 30 days or less.
• Determine whether any local lodging taxes apply and register/collect/remit as required.

7. Renew, re-inspect, and maintain compliance

• Plan permit renewals at least 60 days prior to expiration (inspection required). Keep taxes and Village obligations current to maintain eligibility for permit issuance.

3) Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

Registration package (submit to the Village)

• Owner and agent information: names, addresses, phone numbers; for entities, list all partners/officers/managing members.
• Property identification: street address and any additional identifiers if multiple units share an address.
• Unit counts: number of rental units in the dwelling/complex.
• Bedroom counts: number of bedrooms in each STR.
• Operating intent (STR only):
  • Approximate number of days you plan to rent per year.
  • Number of off-street parking spaces allocated for STR use.
• STR Agent designation and contact details (must meet on-site response standard and 10-mile proximity requirement).
• Any other information the Village requests to fulfill the ordinance’s purpose.
• Administrative (registration and inspection) fee, as set by the Village Council.

Permits and renewals

• Rental Dwelling Unit Permit (standard): valid 24 months from issuance.
• Business STR Permit: valid 12 months from issuance.
• Provisional rental permits may be issued for existing units pending compliance, with an explicit expiration date.
• Renewal requires updated registration and re-inspection, scheduled at least 15 days before the existing permit’s expiration; the Village will mail a 60-day expiration notice.

Insurance

• Maintain personal injury insurance coverage of at least $50,000 per person per occurrence for persons entering the premises.

Inspections and records

• Village inspections verify compliance with the International Property Maintenance Code, International Fire Code, and local ordinances.
• For STRs, the agent must complete a self-inspection using the Village checklist after each turnover and maintain it for Village inspection upon request.

State-level compliance

• Michigan use tax: register with the Michigan Department of Treasury, collect 6% on STRs of 30 days or less, and remit per state requirements.
• Local lodging taxes: identify any applicable local assessments and register/collect/remit as required.

4) Specific regulations for short-term rentals

Core STR requirements (all STRs)

• On-site landline telephone with free local calls that route to 911 dispatch.
• Street address posted in at least 4-inch letters on the STR to assist occupants and emergency services.
• Designated STR agent who can be on-site within one hour; owner may serve as agent if meeting criteria.
• Maximum occupancy: no more than two occupants aged 18+ per bedroom for overnight occupancy.
• Prominent first-floor window notice (≥16-point type) stating the STR agent’s name, 24-hour contact number, and maximum occupancy.
• Off-street parking per Village ordinances and as indicated on the permit; the number/location must match the permit.
• Advertising must be accurate and include the Village permit number.
• No fireworks except as permitted by state law.
• Quiet hours: 11 pm–7 am; noise must not disturb neighbors.
• Trash service: provide at least a 25-gallon container per two occupants; arrange weekly trash/refuse removal during each rental.
• Tenants/lessees must be 25 or older and must be present during the stay.
• Maintain a self-inspection log after each rental; available for Village review.

Personal STR additional restrictions

• Rent up to 6 times in a 12-month period, totaling no more than 30 days.
• Only one personal STR per property owner.
• Property owner must occupy as primary residence for ≥9 months/year.
• Provide two of the following at registration: motor vehicle registration, driver’s license, voter’s registration, or utility bill for the unit.
• Complex properties cannot be registered as personal STRs.
• The Village may cross-reference information provided on advertising platforms.

Business STR additional provisions

• May be rented any number of times during a 12-month period.
• Complexes may register all or a portion of units as business STRs.
• Maintain self-inspection logs between each rental.

Enforcement, penalties, and appeals

• Violations of the Property Maintenance Code are addressed per that Code; other violations are civil infractions.
• The Village may revoke a permit; revocation requires a Notice of Intent to Revoke.
• Permit revocation appeals go to the Zoning Board of Appeals; if no appeal is filed, the permit is revoked 15 days after the notice.
• The Board may revoke, dismiss, or take other equitable action; it must make specific findings of fact.
• If a permit is revoked, the property is ineligible for a new STR permit for up to 12 months (as determined by the Board).

Code references

• International Property Maintenance Code (2012 edition, adopted by the Village).
• International Fire Code (2006 edition, adopted by the Village).
• Berrien Springs Zoning Ordinance (compliance required; zoning determines permissible uses and parking).
• Ordinance conflicts resolved by applying the stricter standard.

5) Contact information (local authority)

Primary local authority for STRs

• Village of Berrien Springs (Village Council and administration enforce the Rental Safety Verification Program and Zoning Ordinance).
• Ordinating/permitting records and administration:
  • Sheri A. Kesterke, Village Clerk (as noted in the ordinance).
• Building Official: designated by the Village to administer and enforce technical and building codes.
• Fire Chief: designated by the Village for Fire Code administration. Note: Direct phone/email for the Building Official, Fire Chief, or STR program coordinator are not provided in the source materials. Use the Village’s general contact channels and website to reach the appropriate department.

6) Important considerations specific to Berrien County and Michigan

• Covenants/HOAs: Recent litigation in Berrien County (Swift Estates) demonstrates that private covenants restricting “single-family residence purposes” can be enforced to prohibit STRs. Always review subdivision/HOA documents before purchase.
• Zoning compliance: Village zoning permissions and parking standards apply in addition to the STR ordinance; a permit cannot override zoning restrictions.
• State taxes and local assessments: Michigan requires 6% use tax collection on STRs ≤30 days; additional local lodging taxes may apply. Register with the Michigan Department of Treasury and any local tax authority as required.

7) Source links (for verification and updates)

• Village of Berrien Springs – Rental Safety Verification Program (Ordinance No. 386): www.villageofberriensprings.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Rental-Safety-Verification-Program-157150-revised-2022-05-18.pdf
• LegalNews coverage – Swift Estates case (Berrien County) and covenant enforcement on STRs: www.legalnews.com/Home/Articles?DataId=1586826
• Lodge Compliance – Michigan STR overview (state-level definitions, taxes, registration structure): www.lodgecompliance.com/states/michigan
• Checkmate Rentals – market commentary on Berrien Springs STRs: www.checkmaterentals.com/airbnb-management/berrien-springs-michigan
• Paletz Law – commentary on Michigan STR enforcement trends and litigation context: www.paletzlaw.com/2025/09/29/a-pair-of-recent-rulings-may-signal-what-the-future-looks-like-for-short-term-rentals-in-michigan/

Notes and reminders

• The materials do not specify Village phone/email for the Building Official or Fire Chief; obtain current contacts from the Village’s official channels.
• The ordinance references the International Property Maintenance Code (2012) and International Fire Code (2006); verify the most current code editions adopted by the Village prior to design/construction work.
• The 4-inch address signage and 16-point agent notice are mandatory for STRs; ensure these are installed and maintained.
• Quiet hours (11 pm–7 am) are enforceable; neighbors may contact the STR agent and local police for issues.
• If you use a property management company, ensure the on-site response standards and agent requirements are contractually satisfied.