Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Big Rapids, MI?

Yes. Short-term rentals (STRs) are allowed in Big Rapids under a municipal ordinance adopted March 4, 2024. STRs are defined as dwellings rented or leased for 28 days or less. The city permits STRs in multiple zoning districts, with distinct occupancy, owner-occupancy, and notification requirements. All rental units must obtain a Housing Maintenance Certificate through the city’s mandatory Rental Inspection Program before occupancy.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Big Rapids

1. Verify Zoning Eligibility

• Allowed districts: R1, RP, R2, R3, RR, and C2.
• Not allowed for STR purposes: C1, C3, and I (industrial).
• If your property is in R1 or RP, it must be your principal residence (owner-occupied), and you may host one additional short-term occupant.
• In RR, R2, R3, and C2: occupancy is capped at two people per legal bedroom, with a maximum of 10 people per house. A legal bedroom must be at least 70 ft² with 50 ft² per person and two forms of adequate egress.

2. Designate a Local Contact

• Owners living outside a 10-mile radius of the city must appoint a local contact person who can respond in person at the property within 24 hours for safety, police, fire, health, or welfare issues.

3. Prepare for Mandatory Rental Inspection

• All residential properties occupied by someone other than the owner must pass an annual inspection under the Rental Certification Program before renting. The program is based on the Housing Law of Michigan (Act 167), the 2024 International Property Maintenance Code, and the 2024 Fire Code.
• The property owner and/or manager must be present at the inspection.

4. Apply for the Housing Maintenance Certificate

• Submit the “Housing Maintenance Certification, Short-Term Housing Application” to the Community Development Department.
• You will receive an invoice and inspection notice. Pay fees, correct violations, and pass inspection to receive your certificate.

5. Comply with Notification and Ongoing Obligations

• After certification, the city notifies property owners within 300 feet that your property is certified as a short-term rental.
• Renew annually; inspections occur at the beginning of each cycle. Follow zoning and housing codes at all times.

6. State Tax Compliance

• Register with the Michigan Department of Treasury if your platform does not automatically collect and remit the 6% Michigan use tax on rentals of fewer than 30 days.
• Track rental activity for accurate filing.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Housing Maintenance Certificate (Short-Term Housing Application)
  • Owner information and contact details
  • Responsible Party or Agent designation
  • Rental property address, number of units/bedrooms, proposed occupancy
  • Signature and date
• Zoning Compliance
  • Allowed in R1, RP, R2, R3, RR, C2
  • Prohibited in C1, C3, I
  • Parking: minimum one space per bedroom per unit (Article 5 of the Zoning Ordinance)
• Safety & Housing Codes (enforced during inspection)
  • 2024 International Property Maintenance Code
  • 2024 Fire Code
  • City Housing Regulations (Chapter 151 of the Code of Ordinances)
• Local Contact Designation
  • Required if owner does not live within 10 miles; contact must be able to respond in person within 24 hours
• State Tax Registration
  • Michigan Department of Treasury, if applicable, for 6% use tax

Specific Regulations: City, County, and State

City of Big Rapids

• Maximum stay: 28 days
• Zoning allowances:
  • R1 and RP: Owner-occupied (principal residence); one additional short-term occupant permitted
  • R2, R3, RR, C2: Up to two occupants per legal bedroom; maximum 10 people per house
  • C1, C3, I: Short-term occupancy not allowed
• Inspection program:
  • Mandatory for any rental property (owner-occupied short-term rentals included)
  • Annual certificate required
  • Common inspection items:
    • Egress: unlocking from inside without a key; egress windows in all bedrooms; bottom edge no more than 44 inches above the floor
    • Smoke detectors: operational; ≤10 years old; required outside sleeping areas, in each sleeping room, on each floor, and at the top of stairways; sealed detectors must have a 10-year battery
    • House numbers: block style, ≥4 inches high, near front door or over garage door, visible from the street; contrasting color; 3 feet minimum height from ground
    • Fire safety: ABC-rated fire extinguisher (≥35 oz dry chemical) in each kitchen, mounted 42–60 inches high; minimum 42 inches away from the stove
    • Electrical: 2 outlets per room or 1 outlet + 1 ceiling light; no misuse of extension cords; no spliced wiring; fusing: 15 AMP (14 wire), 20 AMP (12 wire), 30 AMP (10 wire)
    • Appliance/ventilation: proper ventilation of gas appliances; no storage within 3 feet of gas water heater or furnace; flammable liquids stored properly
    • Interior/exterior maintenance: no holes in interior finishes or cracked windows; exterior must be free of holes or entry points for vermin; no blight (junk cars/parts, garbage, rubbish, indoor appliances/furniture left outside)
    • Accessory structures: must be in good repair
• Fees:
  • First unit per building: $40
  • Each additional unit per building: $30
  • Reinspection (if required): $40 (no charge if violations corrected prior to reinspection)
  • Failure to attend scheduled inspection: $25
  • Cabins, hotels, motels: $70
  • Unpaid fees are doubled after the due date on the invoice
• Neighbor notification:
  • After certification, owners within 300 feet are notified that your property is certified as a short-term rental

Mecosta County

• No county-specific STR regulations were identified in the provided materials. County-level rules may exist separately; confirm directly with Mecosta County if you plan to operate outside city limits.

State of Michigan

• Use Tax: 6% tax on rentals of fewer than 30 days. Many platforms remit automatically; if not, register with the Michigan Department of Treasury and file/use tax returns as required.
• No dedicated statewide STR license; municipalities set local permitting, zoning, and safety requirements. Hosts must also comply with any applicable local lodging or tourism taxes.

Contact Information

City of Big Rapids

• Community Development Department (Rental Inspections & Certification)
  • Phone: 231-592-4057
  • Email: Craig Pepper (Rental Inspector), cpepper@cityofbr.org
  • City Hall: 226 North Michigan Avenue, Big Rapids, MI 49307
  • Phone (main): 231-592-4020
  • Website: cityofbr.org
  • Rental inspection payment portal: bsaonline.com/?uid=131

Michigan Department of Treasury (Taxation)

• Website: michigan.gov/taxes
• Note: Confirm whether your platform collects/remits the 6% use tax. If not, register and file returns as a lodging provider.

Links to Source Pages

• Big Rapids adopts ordinance regulating short-term rentals: bigrapidsnews.com/news/article/big-rapids-adopts-ordinance-regulating-airbnb-18712065.php
• City of Big Rapids – Rental Inspections Program: cityofbr.org/department/community_development/rental_inspections/index.php
• Housing Maintenance Certification, Short-Term Housing Application (PDF): cms6.revize.com/revize/bigrapidsmi/document_center/Neighborhood%20Services/Housing%20Maintenance%20Certification,%20Short-Term%20Housing%20Application%20-%20Fillable.pdf
• Big Rapids considers STR ordinance (context): michigansthumb.com/news/article/big-rapids-michigan-consider-short-term-rental-18552234.php
• Michigan STR laws overview (state-level context): redawning.com/pm/post/michigan-short-term-rental-laws

Investor Notes

• Early engagement with the city’s inspection cycle helps avoid downtime. Coordinate multiple properties on a single inspection day if possible.
• Maintain meticulous records for taxes and inspections. If you change usage (e.g., from long-term to short-term), notify the city and re-certify as required.
• If you are not locally based, your local contact is integral to compliance and guest safety. Ensure they are empowered to resolve issues within 24 hours.
• Check HOA, condo, or neighborhood rules in addition to city ordinances; private covenants may impose additional restrictions.