Executive Summary and STR Status

Short-term rentals are allowed in Whitehall, Michigan, but the city is currently in the process of establishing a formal regulatory framework. As of September 2025, Whitehall has not yet adopted specific short-term rental ordinances, though comprehensive discussions are actively underway with implementation expected in the near future. The city is moving from preliminary discussions to specific policy development, aiming to balance housing supply protection with income opportunities for property owners.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Whitehall, MI

Given that Whitehall's STR regulations are still being developed, prospective operators should prepare for a multi-step process that will likely include:

Current Requirements (Pre-Ordinance)

• Business Registration: Register your short-term rental business
• Tax Compliance: Pay applicable taxes (5% county accommodations tax through Visit Muskegon, 6% sales/use tax)
• Safety Preparation: Ensure property meets safety standards for temporary lodging

Anticipated Future Requirements (Post-Ordinance Adoption)

Based on current discussions, operators should expect:

• City Registration: Mandatory registration process similar to existing long-term rental requirements
• Annual Inspections: Safety inspections, likely annual rather than every three years (current long-term rental cycle)
• Local Contact: 24/7 local contact requirement for immediate issue resolution
• Neighborhood Notification: Adjacent property notification within 300 feet of STR operation
• Compliance Monitoring: Ongoing compliance with noise, parking, and usage restrictions

Property Preparation

• Owner-Occupied vs. Investment Property: Prepare for potential restrictions favoring owner-occupied units over investor-owned properties
• Zoning Compliance: Ensure property is located in zones permitting STR operations (specific districts to be determined)
• Safety Equipment: Install required smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and ensure adequate egress

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Current Requirements

Business Registration: A $35 one-time registration fee for rental properties. While current forms exclude short-term rentals from long-term rental requirements, future STR-specific forms are anticipated.

Tax Obligations:

• County Accommodations Tax: 5% collected through Visit Muskegon
• Sales/Use Tax: 6% state sales/use tax

Required Information for Registration:

• Property address and type (single-family, multi-unit)
• Owner's full name and contact information
• Manager information (if different from owner)
• Email address and multiple phone numbers for contact

Anticipated Future Requirements (Based on Ongoing Council Discussions)

STR Registration and Permits:

• Annual STR registration/license
• Separate permit required for each dwelling unit used as STR
• Proof of zoning compliance
• Safety inspection certification

Documentation Requirements:

• Floor plans showing all rentable spaces
• Site plan indicating parking facilities and exterior structures
• Safety equipment verification
• Garbage/recycling service arrangements
• Proof of business license and tax registrations
• Information regarding local contact person

Minimum Safety Standards (Anticipated):

• Smoke detectors in each bedroom and common areas
• Carbon monoxide detectors per township and state regulations
• Fire extinguisher in kitchen area
• GFCI outlets compliance
• Clear marking of all egress routes and exits
• Proper ventilation and exhaust systems

Specific Regulations: City, County, and State Level

City of Whitehall (In Development)

Current Status: No active STR-specific ordinances, but comprehensive discussions are underway with the following considerations:

Zoning and Location:

• Specific zoning districts for STR operations (to be determined)
• Potential restrictions on STR density within certain neighborhoods
• Consideration of proximity requirements to residential areas

Operational Limits (Under Discussion):

• Caps on total number of STRs city-wide
• Owner-occupied preferences over investor-owned properties
• Maximum occupancy limits per unit
• Minimum stay requirements

Quiet Hours and Nuisance Prevention (Anticipated):

• Explicit quiet hour enforcement
• Fireworks prohibition during stays
• Parking restrictions and management
• Noise ordinance compliance

Neighbor Relations (Planned):

• 300-foot notification radius to adjacent properties
• Local contact requirements for immediate issue resolution
• Complaint resolution procedures

Muskegon County Level

Accommodations Tax: 5% tax on STR charges, administered through Visit Muskegon for tourism promotion purposes. All STR operators must register and collect this tax.

State of Michigan Requirements

Sales and Use Tax: 6% sales/use tax applies to all short-term rental charges. Operators must register with the Michigan Department of Treasury and remit applicable taxes.

Standard Residential Safety Requirements:

• Compliance with Michigan Residential Code
• Smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector requirements per state law
• Proper egress and fire safety standards
• Electrical code compliance, including GFCI requirements

Contact Information for Local STR Authorities

City of Whitehall (Primary Authority)

Address: City of Whitehall, 405 E. Colby Street, Whitehall, MI 49461 Phone: 231.894.4048 Fax: 231.893.4708

Visit Muskegon (County Accommodations Tax)

Role: Collects 5% county accommodations tax for Muskegon County Note: Contact information not provided in available sources, but serves as the county tax collection entity

Michigan Department of Treasury (State Tax)

Role: State sales/use tax administration and compliance Registration Required: For 6% state sales/use tax collection and remittance

Implementation Timeline and Next Steps

Current Phase (September 2025)

• Council moving from general discussions to specific policy development
• Staff gathering data on existing STR market and enforcement needs
• Comparative analysis of other Michigan municipalities' STR ordinances

Expected Implementation Process

1. Draft Ordinance Development: Using community input and best practices from comparable cities
2. Public Comment Period: Scheduled work sessions with community feedback opportunities
3. Final Ordinance Adoption: City council vote on completed regulatory framework
4. Registration System Launch: Implementation of STR registration and compliance monitoring

Compliance Expectations

• Existing Operators: Anticipated grace period for compliance with new requirements
• New Operators: Full compliance required immediately upon ordinance adoption
• Ongoing Compliance: Annual registration and inspection cycles

Source Documentation and References

Primary Regulatory Sources

• City of Whitehall Rental Registration Form: https://cityofwhitehall.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Rental-Registration-Form-COW.pdf
• City Council Discussion Package (September 9, 2025): https://cityofwhitehall.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Council-Packet-9.9.25.pdf

News Coverage and Community Updates

• CatchMark Community STR Discussion: https://catchmarkcommunity.com/city-of-whitehall-discusses-short-term-rentals/
• MLive Housing and STR Coverage: https://www.mlive.com/news/muskegon/2025/07/whitehall-leaders-discuss-affordable-housing-short-term-rental-solutions.html

Comparative Regulatory Framework

• Whitehall Township, PA STR Ordinance: https://ecode360.com/WH2503/laws/LF1762644.pdf (Note: This is for Whitehall Township, PA, provided as comparative reference only)

Important Disclaimers

Regulatory Status: As of September 2025, Whitehall, MI has not adopted specific short-term rental ordinances. The information provided reflects anticipated requirements based on ongoing city council discussions and should be considered preliminary pending final ordinance adoption.

Compliance Monitoring: The city has expressed commitment to meaningful fines for unregistered or non-compliant listings and coordination with Visit Muskegon to identify active STRs for tax compliance.

Housing Balance: The city's stated goal is to balance protection of long-term housing supply with legitimate income opportunities for property owners through responsible STR operation.