Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Grand Marais, MI?

**No**, there is currently no local STR-specific license required in Grand Marais, though state and county regulations may still apply. Hosts must comply with Michigan State Use Tax requirements and local noise ordinances. Always check with the Burt Township zoning office before operating a short-term rental.

What is the TOT tax rate in Grand Marais, MI?

**6% Michigan Use Tax** applies to all short-term rentals in Grand Marais. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the State of Michigan. Note that Airbnb and VRBO may automatically collect a portion of this tax in certain jurisdictions.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Grand Marais, MI?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are generally allowed in Grand Marais, as there are currently no specific local ordinances prohibiting them. However, hosts must comply with all applicable state laws, local noise ordinances, and general Burt Township regulations. Always confirm with the township before operating.

What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Grand Marais, MI?

**Penalties** for operating an illegal short-term rental in Grand Marais will depend on the specific violation. Since there is no local STR ordinance, violations would likely fall under state or Burt Township regulations, such as noise complaints or failure to pay Michigan Use Tax. Always comply with all applicable laws.

Do I need to live in my property to rent it on Airbnb in Grand Marais, MI?

**No**, there is no primary residence requirement for short-term rentals in Grand Marais, as there is no local STR ordinance. However, hosts must still comply with all state laws, local noise ordinances, and Burt Township regulations. Always check with the township before operating a short-term rental.

Grand Marais

Permissive

STRs Allowed

MichiganLast updated: February 16, 2026

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Forensically verified with 3+ official sources

Verified: Jan 30, 2026

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Summary

Grand Marais (Burt Township) currently has no dedicated short-term rental ordinance or registration requirement. Hosts are primarily subject to state-level Michigan Use Tax (6%) and general township noise and nuisance ordinances.

Restriction Level

✅

Permissive

Score: 0 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•No STR-specific permit required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement
•No STR-specific fee

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in Grand Marais, you do not currently need a special short-term rental permit from the township. You should verify that your property is in a zone that allows for residential use and ensure you are following the general noise ordinance. While there is no local room tax, you must ensure the 6% Michigan Use Tax is being collected, which major platforms like Airbnb usually handle automatically.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Grand Marais is an unincorporated community; rules are set by Burt Township, not a 'City of Grand Marais' government.
2.While no township permit is required, the Michigan Use Tax (6%) still applies to all stays under 30 days.
3.Verify your property boundaries to ensure you are within Burt Township limits and not in neighboring unincorporated Alger County areas with different zoning.
4.Septic system capacity is a major concern in this region; ensure your guest count does not exceed your system's rated capacity.
5.Check for any private deed restrictions or HOA rules, as these are common in Upper Peninsula vacation communities.
6.Burt Township is currently discussing STR regulations (2024); stay updated on township board meeting minutes for potential new rules.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(3)

•Grand Marais allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family homes, Cottages.
•Grand Marais: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
•Grand Marais: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements(1)

•Grand Marais does not require STR registration.

Application Process(1)

•STR regulations overview for Grand Marais: Grand Marais (Burt Township) currently has no dedicated short-term rental ordinance or registration requirement. Hosts are primarily subject to state-level Michigan Use Tax (6%) and general township noise and nuisance ordinances.

Taxes(1)

•MI has a state sales tax of 6% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & Restrictions(1)

•Grand Marais enforces quiet hours: 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM (General noise ordinance).

Safety Requirements(1)

•Grand Marais requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher.

Exemptions(2)

•Grand Marais exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).
•Grand Marais: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

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 Marais

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(3)

Requirements(1)

Application Process(1)

Taxes(1)

Limits & Restrictions(1)

Safety Requirements(1)

Exemptions(2)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other Michigan Markets

Ann Arbor

Alger County

Cheboygan County

Newberry

Grand Marais

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Grand Marais, MI?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Grand Marais, MI?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Grand Marais, MI?

4What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Grand Marais, MI?

5Do I need to live in my property to rent it on Airbnb in Grand Marais, MI?

Related Content

Other Michigan Markets

Ann Arbor

Alger County

Cheboygan County

Newberry