Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Leelanau County?

**No**, there is currently no local STR-specific license required in Leelanau County. All short-term rental regulations are managed at the township level. Contact the specific township (e.g., Leland, Glen Arbor, or Suttons Bay) where the property is located to understand local requirements. State regulations may still apply.

What is the TOT tax rate in Leelanau County?

**6% Michigan Use Tax** applies to all short-term rentals in Leelanau County. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the state. Contact the Michigan Department of Treasury for specific instructions on how to register and pay the required taxes. Always consult a tax professional.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Leelanau County?

**Yes, with township regulations**, short-term rentals are allowed in Leelanau County, but there are no county-wide rules. Each township (e.g., Leland, Glen Arbor, or Suttons Bay) has its own specific zoning laws and licensing requirements. You need to check with your local township to determine if STRs are allowed in your zone.

What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Leelanau County?

**Penalties vary by township** for operating an illegal short-term rental in Leelanau County. Since there is no county-wide ordinance, each township sets its own fines and enforcement procedures. Contact the zoning office of the township where your property is located to understand the potential consequences. Ignorance is not bliss.

How many nights per year can I rent my property in Leelanau County?

**Night limits vary by township** in Leelanau County, as there are no county-wide regulations. Some townships may have restrictions on the number of nights a property can be rented out annually. Contact the relevant township's zoning department (e.g., Leland, Glen Arbor, or Suttons Bay) to determine if restrictions exist. State laws may apply.

Leelanau County

Moderate

MichiganUpdated Mar 19, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 2 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 2

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals in Glen Arbor Township are regulated by Ordinance No. 1-2019 and require an annual permit and a $200 fee. There is currently no local room tax in Leelanau County, but hosts must remit Michigan's 6% state sales tax.

Restriction level

Severity 10

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Tenants cannot host
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb in Glen Arbor, you must apply for a township permit every year. You'll need to show you have at least $500k in insurance and provide a septic inspection report if you aren't on a sewer. Occupancy is limited to 2 people per bedroom plus 2 extra, and you must display your permit number in your online listing.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$200

Processing time14-30 days

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Septic systems must be inspected every 3 years to maintain the permit
2Max occupancy is strictly capped at 12 people regardless of house size
3The permit number must be included in your Airbnb/VRBO listing description
4Septic-based properties are limited to the number of bedrooms approved by the health department
5Trash must be kept in enclosed containers and picked up weekly
6Glen Arbor is a Township; ensure you are not following separate rules for neighboring Empire or Leland

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

Leelanau County does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Leelanau County: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Leelanau County allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family dwellings, Condominiums.

Requirements13 rules

Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Leelanau County: 1. The annual fee is $500, which is significantly higher than neighboring jurisdictions. 2. Maximum occupancy is strictly enforced (2 per bedroom + 2, max 10). 3. A fire safety inspection is mandatory before the permit is issued. 4. Leland is a Township; ensure you are not following rules for the City of Traverse City or other nearby areas. 5. Septic systems must be verified to ensure they can handle the occupancy load. 6. State Use Tax (6%) must be paid directly to the Michigan Department of Treasury.

Application process5 rules

Leelanau County STR permit - Step 1: Initial Application. Submit the Leland Township Short-Term Rental Application form along with the initial fee. Required documents: Application form. Time: 1 week. Cost: 500.

Fees & costs2 rules

Leelanau County: The annual fee is $500, which is significantly higher than neighboring jurisdictions.
Leelanau County charges a registration fee of $500 (annual).

Taxes2 rules

Leelanau County: State Use Tax (6%) must be paid directly to the Michigan Department of Treasury.
Michigan has a state sales tax of 6% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions1 rule

Leelanau County: Maximum occupancy is strictly enforced (2 per bedroom + 2, max 10).

Safety requirements2 rules

Leelanau County requires: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection.
Leelanau County: A fire safety inspection is mandatory before the permit is issued.

Penalties1 rule

Leelanau County enforces penalties: First offense: $500 fine. Maximum fine: Uncapped based on days.

Exemptions2 rules

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

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Leelanau County

0/3

steps completed

Step 1

Septic Inspection

If the property is on a septic system, obtain a pumping and inspection report dated within the last 3 years.

1 week$300

Documents needed

Septic inspection report

Step 2

Gather Documents

Prepare a floor plan and a site plan showing off-street parking spaces.

1-2 daysFree

Documents needed

Floor plan
Site plan

Step 3

Submit Application

Complete the Glen Arbor Township STR Permit Application and submit with the $200 fee to the Zoning Administrator.

14 days$200

Documents needed

Application form
Insurance proof

Official resource

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

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

Leelanau County

Moderate

MichiganUpdated Mar 19, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 2 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 2

Summary

Plain-english overview

Restriction level

Severity 10

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Tenants cannot host
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$200

Processing time14-30 days

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Septic systems must be inspected every 3 years to maintain the permit
2Max occupancy is strictly capped at 12 people regardless of house size
3The permit number must be included in your Airbnb/VRBO listing description
4Septic-based properties are limited to the number of bedrooms approved by the health department
5Trash must be kept in enclosed containers and picked up weekly
6Glen Arbor is a Township; ensure you are not following separate rules for neighboring Empire or Leland

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

Leelanau County does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Leelanau County: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Leelanau County allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family dwellings, Condominiums.

Requirements13 rules

Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Leelanau County: 1. The annual fee is $500, which is significantly higher than neighboring jurisdictions. 2. Maximum occupancy is strictly enforced (2 per bedroom + 2, max 10). 3. A fire safety inspection is mandatory before the permit is issued. 4. Leland is a Township; ensure you are not following rules for the City of Traverse City or other nearby areas. 5. Septic systems must be verified to ensure they can handle the occupancy load. 6. State Use Tax (6%) must be paid directly to the Michigan Department of Treasury.

Application process5 rules

Leelanau County STR permit - Step 1: Initial Application. Submit the Leland Township Short-Term Rental Application form along with the initial fee. Required documents: Application form. Time: 1 week. Cost: 500.

Fees & costs2 rules

Leelanau County: The annual fee is $500, which is significantly higher than neighboring jurisdictions.
Leelanau County charges a registration fee of $500 (annual).

Taxes2 rules

Leelanau County: State Use Tax (6%) must be paid directly to the Michigan Department of Treasury.
Michigan has a state sales tax of 6% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions1 rule

Leelanau County: Maximum occupancy is strictly enforced (2 per bedroom + 2, max 10).

Safety requirements2 rules

Leelanau County requires: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection.
Leelanau County: A fire safety inspection is mandatory before the permit is issued.

Penalties1 rule

Leelanau County enforces penalties: First offense: $500 fine. Maximum fine: Uncapped based on days.

Exemptions2 rules

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

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Leelanau County

0/3

steps completed

Step 1

Septic Inspection

If the property is on a septic system, obtain a pumping and inspection report dated within the last 3 years.

1 week$300

Documents needed

Septic inspection report

Step 2

Gather Documents

Prepare a floor plan and a site plan showing off-street parking spaces.

1-2 daysFree

Documents needed

Floor plan
Site plan

Step 3

Submit Application

Complete the Glen Arbor Township STR Permit Application and submit with the $200 fee to the Zoning Administrator.

14 days$200

Documents needed

Application form
Insurance proof

Official resource

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

6 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Septic Inspection

Gather Documents

Submit Application

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Leelanau County?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Leelanau County?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Leelanau County?

4What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Leelanau County?

5How many nights per year can I rent my property in Leelanau County?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

6 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Septic Inspection

Gather Documents

Submit Application

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Leelanau County?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Leelanau County?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Leelanau County?

4What happens if I operate an illegal STR in Leelanau County?

5How many nights per year can I rent my property in Leelanau County?

Disclaimer