Holland, Michigan Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

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

Yes, short-term rentals are allowed in the City of Holland, Michigan, but with significant restrictions and regulations. However, it is critical to understand that there are two separate jurisdictions: the City of Holland and Holland Charter Township. The City of Holland permits STRs under specific conditions, while Holland Charter Township explicitly prohibits short-term rentals such as VRBO, Airbnb, and Homestay.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Holland?

Holland hosts earn a median $43,127/year with $353 ADR and 61% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $67,008+ per year.

See the full Holland market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in This Market

City of Holland (STRs Allowed)

Starting an STR business in the City of Holland requires navigating a two-tier system based on ownership structure:

Owner-Occupied STRs (Primary Residence)

Properties where the owner lives as their primary residence
Can rent one room while living there, or the entire home when away
Allowed in any zone district
Simpler approval process with fewer restrictions

Investor-Owned STRs (Non-Owner Occupied)

Properties where the owner does not live
Currently subject to a cap of 25 properties citywide
Must meet zoning requirements and separation distances
More complex approval process with stricter requirements

Critical Limitation: The City of Holland has reached its maximum of 25 investor-owned STR properties. According to the city, openings in this program are rare, and this webpage will only be updated when openings become available.

Holland Charter Township (STRs Prohibited)

Short-term rentals are explicitly prohibited in Holland Charter Township. Properties offering stays of 14 consecutive days or less may only operate as Bed & Breakfast establishments with an approved Special Land Use Permit, and the owner/operator must live on the premises.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

City of Holland STR Requirements

For All STRs:

Short Term Rental Certificate of Compliance (required)
Rental inspection (required before operation)
Property registration
Liability insurance covering STR use
Crime Free Lease addendum
Neighbor notification requirements

Owner-Occupied STRs:

Owner Occupied Short Term Rental Worksheet
Primary residence verification

Investor-Owned STRs:

Investor Owned Short Term Rental Worksheet
Proof of liability insurance meeting city requirements
Local agent designation (within 35 miles, available 24/7)
Zoning compliance verification

Special Provisions:

Tulip Time STRs: No inspection or certificate required for properties offered for not more than 10 days during the designated festival in May

Holland Charter Township Requirements

For Extended Stays (15+ consecutive days):

Rental Registration (no fee)
Annual Rental Registration (due by February 15th)
Rental inspection and Certificate of Compliance
Heat system inspection by licensed contractor

For Bed & Breakfast (14 days or less):

Special Land Use Permit (owner must live on premises)
Public Lodging License
Annual inspection

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City of Holland STR Regulations

Zoning Requirements:

Owner-Occupied: Allowed in all zone districts
Investor-Owned: Permitted in:
- Commercial zones: NMU, CMU, RMU, GMU
- Industrial zones: I
- Planned Unit Development: PUD
- Farming: F (where residential uses permitted)
- Residential zones: LDR, CNR, MDR, TNR (subject to 25-property cap and 500-foot separation)

Operational Requirements:

Maximum occupancy as stated on rental certificate
Rent entire dwelling unit to one family at a time
Ownership limit: One STR dwelling unit per owner
24/7 local agent availability (within 35 miles)
Include STR certificate number in all advertisements
Maintain compliance with City Ordinance Code

Violation Consequences:

Certificate revocation for:
- Multiple police calls or code violations
- Failure to obtain inspections or pay fees
- Failure to maintain liability insurance
- Failure to maintain property compliance

Holland Charter Township STR Regulations

Prohibited Activities:

Short-term rentals (14 days or less) except Bed & Breakfast
Individual room rentals within a dwelling
VRBO, Airbnb, Homestay operations

Permitted Accommodations:

Bed & Breakfast with Special Land Use Permit (owner-occupied)
Traditional rentals (15+ consecutive days)
Care facilities (exempt)

Contact Information for Local Authorities

City of Holland - Community & Neighborhood Services

Physical Address: 270 S River Avenue, 3rd Floor Holland, MI 49423

Contact Information:

Phone: 616-355-1330
Fax: 616-546-7058
Email: cns@cityofholland.com
Website: www.cityofholland.com

Online Resources:

Holland Charter Township - Community Development

Physical Address: 353 North 120th Avenue Holland, MI 49424

Contact Information:

Phone: 616-396-2345
Email: info@hct.holland.mi.us

Rental Housing Contacts:

Jenny Hamzik, Code Enforcement Officer/Rental Housing: [Contact via township website]
Kate White, Assistant Planner/Zoning Administrator: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Rental Housing Phone: 616-395-0196

Links to Source Pages

City of Holland Sources

Holland Charter Township Sources

Investment Considerations and Market Reality

For City of Holland Investors:

The 25-property cap creates a scarcity market for investor-owned STRs
High barrier to entry due to limited availability
Owner-occupied STRs may provide more accessible entry points
Consider the seasonal nature of Michigan tourism and events like Tulip Time

For Holland Charter Township Investors:

No viable STR investment opportunities due to explicit prohibition
Focus on traditional long-term rentals (15+ days)
Consider Bed & Breakfast conversions with proper permitting

Key Takeaway: The Holland market presents a challenging but potentially rewarding environment for STR investors, primarily constrained by the City of Holland's 25-property cap. Success requires careful navigation of dual jurisdictions and compliance with evolving regulations.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Holland

Holland is a lakeside city in Ottawa County, Michigan, perched on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan just inland from the shoreline, with the city itself wrapping around Lake Macatawa. With a population of roughly 33,000 residents, it has a small-city feel that leans more toward cultural destination than sleepy resort town. Holland is best known for its deep Dutch roots, which show up in its architecture, food, festivals, and a working Dutch windmill. The city sits about 30 miles southwest of Grand Rapids, the nearest major city and home of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, which keeps Holland within easy reach of broader Midwest travel routes.

One of the most recognizable landmarks in Holland is the DeZwaan windmill, a centuries-old Dutch structure that was disassembled and shipped from the Netherlands in 1964 before being reassembled at Windmill Island Gardens. The surrounding gardens host thousands of tulips each spring and offer glimpses of traditional Dutch costumes, wooden shoes, and dancing. The site is located right in the city, only a few minutes from most Holland neighborhoods, and the windmill is widely described as the only authentic operating Dutch windmill in the United States. More information is available on Windmill Island Gardens.

Just a short drive west of downtown, Holland State Park stretches along Lake Michigan's eastern shoreline and includes a long stretch of sandy beach, campgrounds, picnic areas, and views of the iconic red Holland Harbor Lighthouse, often called "Big Red." The lighthouse sits at the end of a north pier jutting into the channel between Lake Macatawa and Lake Michigan and has stood in roughly the same location for more than a century. The park entrance is about a ten-minute drive from Holland's center and ranks among the most popular warm-weather stops along this stretch of the Michigan shoreline.

A few minutes farther south of the state park, Tunnel Park offers a more unusual outdoor experience: visitors can walk through a tunnel carved beneath a large sand dune before emerging on a Lake Michigan overlook. The park, managed by Ottawa County Parks, includes a playground, picnic areas, beach access, and stairways that climb the dune. It is roughly a fifteen-minute drive from downtown Holland and is a favorite of families during the summer months.

About fifteen minutes south of Holland, the neighboring communities of Saugatuck and Douglas have built a reputation as one of Michigan's most visited art destinations, with dozens of galleries, studios, and waterfront restaurants clustered around the Kalamazoo River as it meets Lake Michigan. Combined with Holland's tulip time celebrations, beaches, and Dutch heritage, the wider area offers a layered vacation that mixes outdoor recreation with small-town arts and culture, which helps explain why short-term rentals in and around Holland tend to see steady demand through most of the year.