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.
1-2 daysFree
Documents needed
- Property address
Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.
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.
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.
Step-by-step guide for Grand Rapids
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.
Verify you do not owe court fees, property taxes, or parking tickets by calling the Treasurer's Office at 616-456-3020.
Apply for the Home Occupation Class B One-Room Rental License with the City Clerk's office. This must be done as early as possible due to the 200-license citywide cap.
The Fire Department will contact the applicant to schedule a safety inspection once the application is reviewed.
Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes 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 Details may be outdated or incomplete.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.
Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM