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

**Yes**, Saugatuck requires a Short-Term Rental Certificate for all rentals. You need to obtain an annual certificate from the city, which also necessitates undergoing a safety inspection to ensure compliance with local building and safety codes. The certificate ensures the property meets safety standards. *(51 words)*

What is the TOT tax rate in Saugatuck?

**2%** is the current Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) rate for short-term rentals in Saugatuck. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from their guests and remitting it to the city. Make sure to register your rental with the city to properly manage tax payments. *(48 words)*

How much does an STR permit cost in Saugatuck?

**$300** is the annual fee for the Short-Term Rental Certificate in Saugatuck. This certificate is required for all short-term rentals operating within the city limits. The fee covers the cost of administration and the required safety inspection to ensure the property meets local regulations and safety standards. *(51 words)*

Can renters host on Airbnb in Saugatuck?

**No**, tenants are not permitted to host short-term rentals in Saugatuck. The city's regulations require that the property owner or authorized representative apply for and obtain the Short-Term Rental Certificate. This regulation ensures accountability and compliance with local ordinances, as the property owner is responsible for the rental. *(52 words)*

Saugatuck

Q: Are short-term rentals allowed in Saugatuck?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Saugatuck, provided you obtain a Short-Term Rental Certificate. The city requires all rentals to undergo a safety inspection. While there is no cap on the number of nights a property can be rented, occupancy is strictly limited by bedroom count and a maximum guest limit of 12. *(58 words)*

Moderate

MichiganUpdated Mar 9, 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

The City of Saugatuck requires all short-term rentals to obtain an annual certificate and undergo a safety inspection. While there is no cap on the number of nights, occupancy is strictly limited based on bedroom count and a maximum guest cap of 12.

Restriction level

Severity 23

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Moderate permit fee: $300
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 Saugatuck, you must apply for a city-issued Short-Term Rental Certificate and pay an annual $300 fee. You'll need to pass an inspection ensuring you have working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. You must also designate a local person who can respond to issues at the property within 45 minutes. Keep in mind that you'll need to collect and pay both the Michigan 6% Use Tax and the Allegan County 2% Accommodations Tax.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$300

Processing time2-4 weeks

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Maximum occupancy is 2 people per bedroom plus 2, but never more than 12 people total.
2A local contact person must be available 24/7 and respond to any complaints within 45 minutes.
3STR certificates must be renewed annually by December 31st.
4The 2% Allegan County Accommodations tax is separate from state taxes and must be filed directly with the County.
5Rental units are limited to 1 booking per 24-hour period.
6Trash containers must be stored out of public view except during pickup times.
7Failure to renew or maintain a valid local contact can lead to immediate certificate suspension.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility8 rules

Saugatuck does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Saugatuck, MI: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Saugatuck: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Saugatuck: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements20 rules

Saugatuck STR warning: Failure to renew or maintain a valid local contact can lead to immediate certificate suspension.
Saugatuck: You must display your permit/registration number on your listing. Platforms may remove non-compliant listings.
Saugatuck STR warning: A local contact person must be available 24/7 and respond to any complaints within 45 minutes.

Application process11 rules

How to set up an STR in Saugatuck: To host an Airbnb in the City of Saugatuck, you must apply for a city-issued Short-Term Rental Certificate and pay an annual $300 fee. You'll need to pass an inspection ensuring you have working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. You must also designate a local person who can respond to issues at the property within 45 minutes. Keep in mind that you'll need to collect and pay both the Michigan 6% Use Tax and the Allegan County 2% Accommodations Tax.

Fees & costs1 rule

Saugatuck charges a registration fee of $300 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $100 (Inspection fee per unit if required).

Taxes3 rules

Saugatuck: The 2% Allegan County Accommodations tax is separate from state taxes and must be filed directly with the County.
Saugatuck charges a Allegan County Accommodations Tax of 2%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting this tax. Note: Hosts must typically file the county accommodation tax manually.

Limits & restrictions8 rules

Saugatuck limits STRs to a maximum of 12 guests. Formula: 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, up to a maximum of 12.
Saugatuck requires a minimum stay of 2 nights.
Saugatuck limits stays to a maximum of 27 nights.
Saugatuck: Maximum occupancy is 2 people per bedroom plus 2, but never more than 12 people total.
Saugatuck enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM.

Safety requirements1 rule

Saugatuck requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Floor plan indicating emergency exits, Functional egress windows in all sleeping rooms.

Penalties3 rules

Saugatuck, MI: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Saugatuck enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500. Second offense: $1,000. Third offense: Revocation of certificate. Daily fine: $500. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions3 rules

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

Saugatuck

Moderate

MichiganUpdated Mar 9, 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 23

Classification

Moderate

Severity

Why this classification

Moderate permit fee: $300
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$300

Processing time2-4 weeks

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Maximum occupancy is 2 people per bedroom plus 2, but never more than 12 people total.
2A local contact person must be available 24/7 and respond to any complaints within 45 minutes.
3STR certificates must be renewed annually by December 31st.
4The 2% Allegan County Accommodations tax is separate from state taxes and must be filed directly with the County.
5Rental units are limited to 1 booking per 24-hour period.
6Trash containers must be stored out of public view except during pickup times.
7Failure to renew or maintain a valid local contact can lead to immediate certificate suspension.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility8 rules

Saugatuck does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Saugatuck, MI: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Saugatuck: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Saugatuck: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements20 rules

Saugatuck STR warning: Failure to renew or maintain a valid local contact can lead to immediate certificate suspension.
Saugatuck: You must display your permit/registration number on your listing. Platforms may remove non-compliant listings.
Saugatuck STR warning: A local contact person must be available 24/7 and respond to any complaints within 45 minutes.

Application process11 rules

How to set up an STR in Saugatuck: To host an Airbnb in the City of Saugatuck, you must apply for a city-issued Short-Term Rental Certificate and pay an annual $300 fee. You'll need to pass an inspection ensuring you have working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. You must also designate a local person who can respond to issues at the property within 45 minutes. Keep in mind that you'll need to collect and pay both the Michigan 6% Use Tax and the Allegan County 2% Accommodations Tax.

Fees & costs1 rule

Saugatuck charges a registration fee of $300 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $100 (Inspection fee per unit if required).

Taxes3 rules

Saugatuck: The 2% Allegan County Accommodations tax is separate from state taxes and must be filed directly with the County.
Saugatuck charges a Allegan County Accommodations Tax of 2%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Hosts are responsible for collecting and remitting this tax. Note: Hosts must typically file the county accommodation tax manually.

Limits & restrictions8 rules

Saugatuck limits STRs to a maximum of 12 guests. Formula: 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, up to a maximum of 12.
Saugatuck requires a minimum stay of 2 nights.
Saugatuck limits stays to a maximum of 27 nights.
Saugatuck: Maximum occupancy is 2 people per bedroom plus 2, but never more than 12 people total.
Saugatuck enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM.

Safety requirements1 rule

Saugatuck requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Floor plan indicating emergency exits, Functional egress windows in all sleeping rooms.

Penalties3 rules

Saugatuck, MI: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Saugatuck enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500. Second offense: $1,000. Third offense: Revocation of certificate. Daily fine: $500. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions3 rules

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

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Saugatuck?

3How much does an STR permit cost in Saugatuck?

4Can renters host on Airbnb in Saugatuck?

5Are short-term rentals allowed in Saugatuck?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Saugatuck?

3How much does an STR permit cost in Saugatuck?

4Can renters host on Airbnb in Saugatuck?

5Are short-term rentals allowed in Saugatuck?

Disclaimer