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

**Yes**, Ludington requires a Short-Term Rental Registration, per Chapter 597 of the City Code. You need to register your property annually and pass a safety inspection to legally operate. Failing to register can result in fines and the inability to rent your property. Make sure you apply. *(54 words)*

What is the TOT tax rate in Ludington?

**2%** is the current Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) rate for short-term rentals in Ludington. As a host, you are responsible for collecting this tax from your guests and remitting it to the city, according to local regulations. It is important to stay compliant with these regulations. *(48 words)*

Are short-term rentals allowed in Ludington?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are permitted in Ludington, but they are subject to specific regulations. These rules include the need for annual registration, safety inspections, and adherence to occupancy limits. Ensure you comply with these requirements to operate legally. The maximum occupancy is 10 people. *(46 words)*

How much does an STR permit cost in Ludington?

**$150** is the annual fee for the Short-Term Rental Registration in Ludington. This fee is required to obtain the necessary permit to legally operate a short-term rental within the city. You must renew this registration each year to maintain compliance with local regulations. This fee is non-refundable. *(50 words)*

Can renters host on Airbnb in Ludington?

**No**, according to Ludington regulations, tenants are not permitted to list properties on Airbnb or other short-term rental platforms. Only property owners are allowed to obtain a Short-Term Rental Registration and operate a rental. Renters must obtain explicit permission from the property owner. *(47 words)*

Ludington

Moderate

MichiganUpdated Mar 31, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals in the City of Ludington require an annual registration and safety inspection under Chapter 597 of the City Code. Properties are limited to a maximum occupancy of 10 people and must have a local contact available 24/7.

Restriction level

Severity 18

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $150
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

To host an Airbnb in the City of Ludington, you must register your home with the City Clerk's office and pay an annual $150 fee. Your property will need to pass a fire and safety inspection before you can start renting. You'll also need a local 'agent' (which can be you if you live nearby) who can respond to the house within 30 miles if there's an issue. Make sure your guest count stays under 10 and you post the house rules and contact info inside the home.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$150

Processing time2-4 weeks

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1You must have a local agent available 24/7 who lives within 30 miles of the city.
2The maximum occupancy is strictly capped at 10, regardless of the house size.
3Late renewals after March 1st incur a significant $100 penalty on top of the $150 fee.
4The 2% local assessment tax is separate from the State Use Tax and must be remitted properly.
5Stays 30 days or longer are exempt from the STR registration requirement.
6Registration is not transferable if you sell the property; the new owner must re-register.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility8 rules

Ludington allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family, Duplex, Condo.
Ludington: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Ludington does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Ludington does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements14 rules

Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Ludington: 1. You must have a local agent available 24/7 who lives within 30 miles of the city. 2. The maximum occupancy is strictly capped at 10, regardless of the house size. 3. Late renewals after March 1st incur a significant $100 penalty on top of the $150 fee. 4. The 2% local assessment tax is separate from the State Use Tax and must be remitted properly. 5. Stays 30 days or longer are exempt from the STR registration requirement. 6. Registration is not transferable if you sell the property; the new owner must re-register.

Application process11 rules

Ludington, MI: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Registration Application Form, Local Agent Authorization Form, Floor Plan with egress, Proof of Insurance, Safety Inspection Compliance.
Ludington, MI extended permit requirement: A late fee of $100 applies to renewals after March 1st.

Fees & costs1 rule

Ludington charges a registration fee of $150 (annual).

Taxes3 rules

Michigan has a state sales tax of 6% that applies to STR rentals.
Ludington: The 2% local assessment tax is separate from the State Use Tax and must be remitted properly.

Limits & restrictions6 rules

Ludington: The maximum occupancy is strictly capped at 10, regardless of the house size.
Ludington occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 10 total.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Ludington, MI occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 10 total.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety requirements1 rule

Ludington requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Working egress windows in bedrooms, Property must have a local agent available 24/7.

Penalties4 rules

Ludington: Late renewals after March 1st incur a significant $100 penalty on top of the $150 fee.
Ludington, MI: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Ludington: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions4 rules

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

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

Ludington

Moderate

MichiganUpdated Mar 31, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Restriction level

Severity 18

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Standard permit fee: $150
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
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$150

Processing time2-4 weeks

6 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1You must have a local agent available 24/7 who lives within 30 miles of the city.
2The maximum occupancy is strictly capped at 10, regardless of the house size.
3Late renewals after March 1st incur a significant $100 penalty on top of the $150 fee.
4The 2% local assessment tax is separate from the State Use Tax and must be remitted properly.
5Stays 30 days or longer are exempt from the STR registration requirement.
6Registration is not transferable if you sell the property; the new owner must re-register.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility8 rules

Ludington allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family, Duplex, Condo.
Ludington: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Ludington does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Ludington does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements14 rules

Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Ludington: 1. You must have a local agent available 24/7 who lives within 30 miles of the city. 2. The maximum occupancy is strictly capped at 10, regardless of the house size. 3. Late renewals after March 1st incur a significant $100 penalty on top of the $150 fee. 4. The 2% local assessment tax is separate from the State Use Tax and must be remitted properly. 5. Stays 30 days or longer are exempt from the STR registration requirement. 6. Registration is not transferable if you sell the property; the new owner must re-register.

Application process11 rules

Ludington, MI: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Registration Application Form, Local Agent Authorization Form, Floor Plan with egress, Proof of Insurance, Safety Inspection Compliance.
Ludington, MI extended permit requirement: A late fee of $100 applies to renewals after March 1st.

Fees & costs1 rule

Ludington charges a registration fee of $150 (annual).

Taxes3 rules

Michigan has a state sales tax of 6% that applies to STR rentals.
Ludington: The 2% local assessment tax is separate from the State Use Tax and must be remitted properly.

Limits & restrictions6 rules

Ludington: The maximum occupancy is strictly capped at 10, regardless of the house size.
Ludington occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 10 total.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Ludington, MI occupancy calculation: 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 10 total.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety requirements1 rule

Ludington requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Working egress windows in bedrooms, Property must have a local agent available 24/7.

Penalties4 rules

Ludington: Late renewals after March 1st incur a significant $100 penalty on top of the $150 fee.
Ludington, MI: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Ludington: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions4 rules

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

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

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Ludington?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Ludington?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Ludington?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Ludington?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

6 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Ludington?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Ludington?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Ludington?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Ludington?

Disclaimer