What should Grand Rapids hosts know about strict 200-license cap citywide for?

Strict 200-license cap citywide for one-room rentals.

What are the key requirements for Grand Rapids hosts?

Owner must be physically present in the home during the guest's stay.

What zoning rules apply to STRs in Grand Rapids?

Renting an entire home is generally only possible through an expensive and difficult Special Land Use (SLU) process in specific zones.

What should Grand Rapids hosts know about operating an str may void?

Operating an STR may void or reduce your 100% Principal Residence Exemption (PRE) for property taxes.

What should Grand Rapids hosts know about kent county lodging tax will?

Kent County lodging tax will increase from 5% to 8% starting January 1, 2025.

Grand Rapids

Prohibited

STRs Allowed

MichiganLast updated: February 10, 2026

Baseline Verification

50%

Basic verification complete

Verified: Feb 9, 2026

Summary

Grand Rapids limits residential short-term rentals to owner-occupied 'home shares' with a citywide cap of 200 licenses, while whole-home rentals are restricted to specific zones and often require a Special Land Use permit.

Restriction Level

🚫

Prohibited

Score: 100 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Primary residence required
•Owner-occupied required
•Host presence required (hosted-only)
•High permit fee: $587
•Limited to 1 property per owner
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap

In Plain English

To host an STR in most residential areas, you must live in the home and be present during the stay, renting only one room to a maximum of two adults. You must obtain a Home Occupation Class B license, pass a fire inspection, and ensure you have no outstanding debts to the city. Non-owner-occupied (whole home) rentals are generally prohibited in low-density residential zones and require a much more intensive permit process in other areas.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$587

Processing Time

1-2 weeks

5 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Strict 200-license cap citywide for one-room rentals.
2.Owner must be physically present in the home during the guest's stay.
3.Renting an entire home is generally only possible through an expensive and difficult Special Land Use (SLU) process in specific zones.
4.Operating an STR may void or reduce your 100% Principal Residence Exemption (PRE) for property taxes.
5.Kent County lodging tax will increase from 5% to 8% starting January 1, 2025.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(8)

•Grand Rapids limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.
•Grand Rapids requires the host to be present during STR stays (hosted rentals only).
•Grand Rapids: The permit holder must personally manage the listing - third-party property managers may not be allowed.
•Grand Rapids does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.

Requirements(13)

•Grand Rapids STR warning: Renting an entire home is generally only possible through an expensive and difficult Special Land Use (SLU) process in specific zones.
•Grand Rapids STR warning: Owner must be physically present in the home during the guest's stay.

Application Process(8)

•Grand Rapids STR permit - Step 1: Verify Zoning Eligibility. Contact the Planning Department at 616-456-4100 to confirm your property's zone allows STRs and if your intended use requires a Special Land Use (SLU) permit. Required documents: Property address. Time: 1-2 days.

Fees & Costs(1)

•Grand Rapids charges a registration fee of $587 (annual).

Taxes(3)

•Grand Rapids charges a Experience Grand Rapids Marketing Assessment of 0.04%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Assessments may be collected by major platforms or remitted through the marketing bureau.
•Grand Rapids: Kent County lodging tax will increase from 5% to 8% starting January 1, 2025.

Limits & Restrictions(6)

•Grand Rapids limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
•Grand Rapids limits STRs to a maximum of 2 guests. Formula: Maximum 2 adult guests (children under 18 not included in the 2-person adult limit)
•Grand Rapids: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
•Grand Rapids enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Grand Rapids requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Adequate egress routes, No outstanding building code violations.

Penalties(2)

•Grand Rapids enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Civil infraction fine. Second offense: Increased fines. Third offense: Permit revocation. Permit may be revoked for violations.
•Grand Rapids: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(3)

•Grand Rapids: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•Grand Rapids exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Hotels, Bed and Breakfasts (licensed separately).

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Unlock: 4-Step Application Guide

Get step-by-step application guides and access to all 51+ markets.

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Other Michigan Markets

Ann Arbor

Michigan

Moderate

Ann Arbor requires all short-term rentals to be licensed annually and prohibits non-principal residence rentals in residential zoning districts.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Alger County

Michigan

Permissive

Alger County does not have a county-wide short-term rental ordinance or registration requirement for unincorporated areas. Regulation in this jurisdiction is primarily handled at the township level (e.g., Au Train Township or Burt Township), where specific permits and zoning rules may apply.

0.1% total tax

Cheboygan County

Michigan

Permissive

Unincorporated Cheboygan County does not currently have a dedicated short-term rental licensing ordinance, though the county has held discussions regarding future regulations. Currently, STRs are generally treated as 'Tourist Homes' under the zoning code and must comply with standard residential use requirements and health department septic limits.

0.1% total tax

Newberry

Michigan

Permissive

The Village of Newberry has no dedicated short-term rental ordinance or permit system. STRs are currently unregulated at the municipal level, though Michigan state-level taxes still apply.

Grand Rapids

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

5 Things Hosts Often Miss

Create a free account

Regulation Details

Eligibility(8)

Requirements(13)

Application Process(8)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(3)

Limits & Restrictions(6)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(2)

Exemptions(3)

Create a free account

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other Michigan Markets

Ann Arbor

Alger County

Cheboygan County

Newberry

Grand Rapids

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

5 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

1What are the STR fees in Grand Rapids?

Related Content

Other Michigan Markets

Ann Arbor

Alger County

Cheboygan County

Newberry