Note on scope and location: All sources provided pertain to Boyne City, not the Village of Boyne Falls. No Boyne‑Falls–specific short‑term rental regulations were found in the provided materials. What follows is a state‑level compliance roadmap for Michigan that applies to Boyne Falls, with Boyne City’s ordinance provided as an illustrative municipal example. Confirm any local rules with the Village of Boyne Falls and Charlevoix County before operating.

Overview: Are Short‑Term Rentals Allowed in Boyne Falls, MI?

Michigan does not prohibit short‑term rentals (STRs) at the state level. STRs are permitted as a lawful residential use unless local zoning, covenants, or HOA rules say otherwise. In practice, your ability to operate depends on:

• Zoning at the specific parcel (including any overlay districts).
• Deed covenants, HOA bylaws, or condominium rules.
• Compliance with general business, tax, safety, and nuisance rules.
• Any future municipal licensing or caps that may be enacted.

Boyne City (a neighboring municipality) adopted a dedicated STR ordinance in 2022 and later set a cap of 130 STR units in its traditional residential district, with a $300 initial license fee and escalating fines for violations. Those rules do not apply to Boyne Falls but demonstrate the direction of local regulation in the region.

How to Start a Short‑Term Rental Business in Boyne Falls

1. Verify Zoning and Land‑Use Eligibility

• Confirm that your property is in a zoning district that allows short‑term rental occupancy. Check deed restrictions and HOA/condominium documents for bans or limits on STRs.

2. Choose a Business Structure and Register

• Form your entity (LLC, corporation, etc.), obtain an EIN from the IRS, and register with the Michigan Department of Treasury if you will collect and remit taxes.

3. Comply with Tax Collection and Remittance

• Michigan Sales Tax (6%) generally applies to lodging charges; if you collect lodging taxes, you must remit them to the State of Michigan. The City of Boyne City materials note it “does not levy additional taxes” on STRs; for Boyne Falls, confirm with the Village and County Treasurers whether any local lodging taxes apply and how they are collected.

4. Secure Insurance and Safety Compliance

• Obtain landlord/property‑owner liability coverage appropriate to the size and risk profile of your operation. Follow all applicable building, life‑safety, and fire‑prevention requirements. Where smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are not explicitly mandated by local code, adopting them as best practice is strongly recommended.

5. Implement Operations and Guest Screening

• Establish house rules, quiet hours, occupancy limits, and a process for screening guests and managing bookings. Consider using a local property manager to ensure responsiveness and compliance.

6. Monitor Municipal Updates

• Boyne Falls may consider or adopt its own STR licensing program, zoning standards, or caps. Maintain contact with the Village to monitor any regulatory changes.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Michigan State‑Level Requirements (General Applicability)

• Business registration/tax enrollment with the Michigan Department of Treasury for sales and lodging tax collection and remittance.
• Proper insurance for property and liability coverage.
• Compliance with the Michigan Sales Tax Act and any applicable lodging tax statutes.
• Compliance with the Michigan Fire Prevention Code and local building/safety codes as applicable.
• Zoning compliance letter or confirmation (from the Village or County) that STR use is allowed at the subject property.

Boyne City (Example Municipal Framework — Not Applicable to Boyne Falls)

• Licensed model with fee and enforcement: $300 initial license fee; fines of $100 (first), $150 (second), $250 (third).
• Cap in the traditional residential district: 130 units (adopted 2023), with an earlier discussion of possible caps of 90–105 units.
• Enforcement tools include citation and ordinance enforcement processes; nuisance and public safety concerns were identified as primary impacts.
• Adoption followed public meetings and a data review process (Granicus data on STR growth).
• Full ordinance available via Boyne City’s Municipal Code and documents center.

Best‑Practice Checklist

• Zoning verification (Village of Boyne Falls/Charlevoix County).
• HOA/condo approval if applicable.
• Business registration and tax enrollments (Michigan Treasury).
• Insurance in place (liability, property).
• Life‑safety measures (smoke/CO detectors, posted emergency info).
• House rules, cancellation policy, guest screening process.
• Recordkeeping for taxes, guest communications, and complaints.

Specific Regulations (City, County, and State)

State of Michigan

• No statewide ban on STRs; activity is governed primarily by local zoning and business/tax law.
• State sales tax (6%) generally applies to lodging; lodging tax collection and remittance may be required depending on statutory thresholds and local authority.
• Fire/life‑safety and building codes apply as required; municipalities can adopt more specific rules.

Charlevoix County

• County‑level STR restrictions were not identified in the provided materials. County may administer zoning in unincorporated areas; verify any overlay districts or permit requirements with the County Planning/Zoning office.

Village of Boyne Falls

• No STR‑specific ordinance identified in the provided materials. The Village may adopt an STR program, permit requirements, or zoning updates in the future. Confirm with the Village Clerk/Zoning Administrator.

Boyne City (Illustrative Neighbor)

• Adopted STR ordinance (Dec 2022) with licensing and enforcement.
• Set a cap of 130 STR units in the traditional residential district (2023).
• License fee: $300; escalating fines for violations ($100/$150/$250).
• City considered caps during deliberations; initial proposals ranged from 90 to 105 before settling at 130.
• Background data showed a 39% increase in STRs in 2022 and concerns about impacts on workforce housing and neighborhood character.

Regional Context (Other Communities)

• Charlevoix: 80‑unit cap in residential districts; unlimited in other districts; total advertised rentals often exceed 250 in peak season.
• Petoskey: 33 licensed STRs citywide; moratorium in effect until January (policy consideration phase).
• Harbor Springs: Licensing halted at end of 2022; 61 STRs in single‑family neighborhoods (≈7% of ~1,200 homes); existing rentals may continue; no new licenses issued.

Contact Information (Boyne Falls, County, and State)

Village of Boyne Falls

• Physical Address: 2699 M‑32, Boyne Falls, MI 49713
• Phone: (231) 549‑2230
• Email: Not provided in the materials
• Website: Not identified in the provided materials
• Hours: Not provided
• Purpose: Business registration confirmation, zoning verification, and any future STR permitting/updates.

Charlevoix County (General Contacts)

• County Offices: Typically in Charlevoix; phone not provided in the materials.
• Purpose: Zoning confirmation in unincorporated areas, property records, and potential future county‑level programs.

Michigan Department of Treasury (Taxation)

• Website: Michigan Treasury (Online portal for business tax registration and filings)
• Purpose: Sales tax and lodging tax enrollment, returns, and compliance.

Boyne City (Planning & Zoning — For Regional Reference Only)

• Physical Address: 319 N. Lake St., Boyne City, MI 49712
• Phone: (231) 582‑6597
• Hours: Mon–Fri, 7:30 AM–4:30 PM
• Purpose: Review neighboring municipal rules; not the authority for Boyne Falls.

Links to Source Pages

• Boyne City Short‑Term Rentals page, documents, and adopted ordinance: www.boynecity.gov/services/planning_zoning/short_term_rentals.php
• Boyne City STR ordinance (PDF): boynecity.gov/Documents/Services/Planning%20and%20Zoning/Short%20Term%20Rentals/fs76-1671563452-55688.pdf
• Boyne City Code of Ordinances – Short‑Term Rentals (Municode): library.municode.com/mi/boyne_city/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICOOR_CH15SHRMRE
• News article (Dec 2022): Boyne City approves new short‑term rental rules: www.petoskeynews.com/story/news/local/2022/12/24/boyne-city-city-commission-approve-short-term-rental-ordinance/69748586007/
• News article (Nov 2023): Boyne City caps short‑term rental count in residential areas: www.petoskeynews.com/story/news/regional/2023/11/07/boyne-city-caps-short-term-rental-count-in-residential-areas/71424987007/
• Property management overview for Boyne Falls (market context): northernmichiganescapes.com/property-management-boyne-falls-mi/

Action Plan for Boyne Falls STR Operators

• Start with zoning and HOA/condo checks to confirm STR eligibility.
• Register with Michigan Treasury and set up sales/lodging tax remittance.
• Put appropriate insurance and life‑safety measures in place.
• Monitor Village of Boyne Falls communications for any licensing requirements or caps.
• Model your compliance framework on Boyne City’s structure (licensing, fee, and enforcement approach), but do not assume it applies until confirmed by the Village or County.
• Maintain records for taxes, guest stays, communications, and complaints; design house rules and operations to minimize nuisance risk and maximize safety.