Short-term rentals (STRs) are explicitly allowed in Wyandotte, Michigan, but they are tightly regulated under the city’s new ordinance adopted October 14, 2024 (effective October 29, 2024). The city requires annual licensing, compliance with rental dwelling registration and inspections, and adherence to specific density, occupancy, parking, and behavior standards. In practice, a successful Wyandotte STR requires two overlapping processes:

• Rental Dwelling Registration and a Certificate of Compliance (for any rental dwelling in the city).
• Short-Term Rental License issued under Chapter 181, with safety and compliance prerequisites.

This guide lays out what investors need to know, what documents are required, and how to obtain and maintain licenses, including relevant Michigan state-level obligations.

1) Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed?

Yes. Wyandotte has adopted a dedicated short-term rental ordinance that permits STRs citywide in most zoning districts subject to licensing and ongoing compliance. The ordinance defines a “short-term rental” as a dwelling unit offered for compensation for 28 days or more total in a calendar year, in stays of no more than 29 consecutive nights. Licenses are first-come, first-served and may be capped by location and number through council resolution, but existing licensed STRs are protected from detrimental changes.

Key highlights:

• STRs are permitted in all zoning districts except I-1, I-2, I-3, and IRO.
• Density caps:
  • In one-, two-, or three-family dwellings: one STR per 500-foot radius.
  • In multifamily complexes: STRs limited to 10% of units.
• Occupancy capped at 10 total occupants.
• Two off-street parking spaces accessed from a public street are required.
• All STR units must have a designated responsible local agent and meet rigorous safety and compliance prerequisites before licensing.

Source: City of Wyandotte Ordinance Amendment #1546 (short-term rentals added to Chapter 181) and local news coverage.

2) How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Wyandotte

Step-by-step pathway:

1. Confirm zoning eligibility.

   • Confirm the subject property is not in I-1, I-2, I-3, or IRO. The STR ordinance permits STRs in most other districts.

2. Secure a current Certificate of Approval or Certificate of Compliance.

   • Wyandotte requires rental dwellings to be registered and inspected. A Certificate of Approval or Compliance must be current for the property to be eligible for an STR license.

3. Complete Rental Dwelling Registration (if not already done).

   • All rental dwellings and rental units in Wyandotte must be registered with the Office of the City Clerk under Chapter 181 (Rental Dwellings and Units).
   • Application requires owner and local agent information; addresses cannot be P.O. boxes.
   • Fee: $35 per rental dwelling (new registration), plus a $15 transfer fee if ownership changes.
   • Upon registration, the Clerk forwards the application to the City Engineer; the owner is informed of compliance requirements.

4. Apply for the Short-Term Rental License (STR).

   • Submit to the Department of Engineering and Building (application available at the department and online). The City Engineer reviews the application and issues or denies the license.
   • Prerequisites include: current Certificate of Approval/Compliance; no outstanding code or property maintenance violations; a police report for the prior 365 days showing three or fewer violations; and all taxes, utilities, and fees paid in full.

5. Post-license operational requirements.

   • Post the license at the STR unit and keep the application and license available for inspection.
   • Ensure all advertising reflects the maximum occupancy.
   • Keep a local agent on file; the agent must respond to complaints within specified times.
   • Mail notice to all properties within 500 feet of the STR once approved and file proof with the City Engineer.
   • Ensure compliance with the “Applicable Codes” listed in the lease (noise, parking, trash, animals, fireworks, fire pits, nuisance, occupancy, and related chapters).

6. Maintain compliance and renew.

   • Licenses become void if the Certificate of Approval/Compliance expires, upon property transfer, or upon revocation.
   • Violations trigger escalating penalties (warning, fine, revocation for the remainder of the calendar year), with an appeal process.

Contact the Department of Engineering and Building for application forms and initial review, and the City Clerk’s office for rental dwelling registration.

3) Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Rental Dwelling Registration (City Clerk)

• Application: Rental Dwelling Registration Application (PDF).
• Required information:
  • Owner name and legal address (no P.O. boxes).
  • Responsible local agent’s name, local address, and phone number.
  • Number of rental units and address of the rental dwelling.
  • Authorization appointing the responsible local agent signed by both owner and agent.
• Fee: $35 per rental dwelling (new registration); $15 for transfer of ownership.
• Term: Valid as long as the owner remains unchanged; re-register within 10 days of transfer.
• Submission: City Hall Customer Assistance & Payment Center windows, first floor.
• Certificate of Compliance: Required prior to STR licensing; not issued if registration provisions are unmet.

Short-Term Rental License (Department of Engineering and Building)

• Application: Short-Term Rental Application (available at the Department of Engineering and Building and on the city website).
• Required submissions and prerequisites:
  • Owner and responsible local agent contact details (name, permanent address, email, telephone for owner; name, email, telephone for agent).
  • Property address and unit identification (if multiple units share an address).
  • Number of bedrooms; number of on-site parking spaces.
  • Safety device certification: fire extinguisher in unit; working smoke alarm in each bedroom; working carbon monoxide detector on each floor; local agent must confirm placement and operation prior to each new lease.
  • Current Certificate of Approval or Certificate of Compliance; all inspections completed and violations corrected.
  • No outstanding property maintenance violations.
  • Wyandotte Police Department report for the prior 365 days; three or more violations in that period disqualifies the application.
  • All city taxes, utilities, and fees must be paid in full.
• Application completeness:
  • Incomplete applications are rejected; the City Engineer notifies applicants within 10 business days if the application is incomplete.
• License issuance:
  • Processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • The City Engineer approves the license if all standards are met and a license is available.
  • Council may cap licenses by location/number through resolution; existing licensed STRs are protected.

Advertising and Operational Requirements

• All advertising must include maximum occupancy.
• The lease must attach or reference the “Applicable Codes” list (noise, trash, parking, animals, fireworks, fire pits, nuisance, occupancy, and rental dwelling certificate requirements).
• The owner or agent must prohibit gatherings of non-tenants at the unit.
• No RVs, travel trailers, boats, tents, or temporary shelters may be used or stored by tenants on the premises.

Building and Safety Compliance

• STRs must meet all applicable residential building, health, nuisance, and safety codes.
• Minimum unit composition: at least one bedroom, one full bathroom, a kitchen/dining area, and a living room.
• Occupancy cap: maximum 10 total occupants.
• Parking: minimum two off-street spaces accessed from a public street.

4) Specific Regulations (City, County, State)

City of Wyandotte (Chapter 181, Short-Term Rentals)

• Permitted districts: All except I-1, I-2, I-3, IRO.
• Density caps:
  • Single-family, duplex, triplex: one STR per 500-foot radius.
  • Multifamily complexes: STRs limited to 10% of units.
• Occupancy: Maximum 10 total occupants.
• Parking: Minimum two off-street spaces accessed from a public street.
• Local agent: Mandatory; must respond to complaints per city standards.
• Safety prerequisites: Fire extinguisher, smoke alarms in each bedroom, carbon monoxide detectors on each floor; local agent must verify devices prior to each new lease.
• Eligibility prerequisites: Certificate of Approval/Compliance current; no outstanding violations; clean police report (≤2 violations in prior 365 days); all taxes/fees paid.
• Advertising: Must list maximum occupancy.
• Notice to neighbors: Mail notice to all properties within 500 feet upon approval; submit proof to City Engineer.
• Prohibitions: No gatherings of non-tenants; no RVs/trailers/boats/tents used or stored on the property.
• Violations and penalties:
  • Each day of violation may be a separate offense.
  • Escalating enforcement: warning (first violation), fine (second), license revocation for remainder of calendar year (third).
  • Appeals process with a hearing before the Building Official.
• License validity: Expires when Certificate of Approval/Compliance expires, upon property transfer, or upon revocation.

Wayne County

• No county-specific STR permitting was identified in the provided sources. Wyandotte’s municipal process appears to be the primary regulatory path for STR licensing within the city.

State of Michigan

• Use tax: Michigan imposes a 6% use tax on the total rental price of transient lodging, which includes short-term rentals. The tax applies to the total charge (base rent plus any service fees such as cleaning or security). Hosts should register for and remit use tax as required by the Michigan Department of Treasury.

5) Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs)

Short-Term Rental Licensing (applications and review):

• Department of Engineering and Building
  • City Hall, 3200 Biddle Avenue, Wyandotte, MI 48192
  • Phone: 734-324-4507
  • Page: Engineering and Building – Permits (also contains forms and fee schedules)
  • Short-Term Rental Application is available here and at City Hall

Rental Dwelling Registration and Certificates:

• Office of the City Clerk
  • City Hall, 3200 Biddle Avenue, Wyandotte, MI 48192
  • Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Page: Rental Dwelling Registrations (includes application and requirements)

General City Contacts:

• City Contact Directory: Service Directory (city phone/email directory)
• Police Department (for compliance reports/verification):
  • Wyandotte Police Department
  • Phone: 734-324-4504 (non-emergency)
  • Emergency: 911

6) Source Pages (Links)

• City of Wyandotte Ordinance Amendment #1546 (Short-Term Rentals added to Chapter 181): files.amlegal.com/pdffiles/Wyandotte/1546.pdf
• City of Wyandotte – Rental Dwelling Registrations (City Clerk): wyandotte.net/departments/city_clerk/rental_dwelling_registrations.php
• News coverage of Wyandotte’s new STR ordinance (Oct 17, 2024): www.thenewsherald.com/2024/10/17/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-wyandottes-new-short-term-rentals-ordinance/
• City of Wyandotte – Department of Engineering and Building (Permits, application forms, fee schedules): wyandotte.net/departments/engineering_and_building_department/permits.php
• City of Wyandotte – Contact Service Directory: wyandotte.net/contact_us/service_directory.php
• Vacation rental management overview (general market context, not a regulatory source): www.gosummer.com/vacation-rental-management/wyandotte-michigan

Practical Notes for Investors

• Build lead time into your acquisition and opening plan: confirm certificate status, complete inspections and corrections, and assemble police reports and owner/agent documentation before applying.
• Treat Wyandotte as a compliance-first market: properties with historical code or police violations can be disqualified; consider properties with clean recent histories.
• Operational standards matter: the city codifies behavioral rules (noise, trash, animals, parking) and requires the local agent to enforce them. Document your house rules in the lease and messaging.
• Because STR licenses are first-come, first-served and may be capped, early engagement with the Department of Engineering and Building is advisable to secure the license promptly.
• Track the state’s 6% use tax obligations and remittance; this adds administrative steps beyond local licensing but is essential to maintaining compliant operations.

This structure ensures you begin licensed, stay compliant, and operate with a clear, enforceable standard under Wyandotte law.