What is the TOT tax rate in St. Joseph, MI?

**6% Michigan Use Tax** and the 5% Berrien County lodging assessment apply to all rentals. You need to collect these taxes from your guests and remit them to the appropriate state and county authorities. Check with the Michigan Department of Treasury and Berrien County for specific filing requirements.

Do I need to live in my property to rent it on Airbnb in St. Joseph?

**Potentially**, because the City of St. Joseph does not currently have a dedicated ordinance governing short-term rentals, there is no primary residence requirement. However, hosts should verify with the Planning Department that their specific usage is not classified as a prohibited commercial enterprise in a residential zone.

St. Joseph

Permissive

STRs Allowed

MichiganLast updated: February 10, 2026

Baseline Verification

50%

Basic verification complete

Verified: Jan 30, 2026

2 Official Sources

Summary

The City of St. Joseph does not currently have a dedicated ordinance governing short-term rentals. While unregulated by specific STR laws, hosts must comply with the 6% Michigan Use Tax and the 5% Berrien County lodging assessment. Because the zoning code uses permissive zoning, hosts should verify with the Planning Department that their specific usage is not classified as a prohibited commercial enterprise in a residential zone.

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 the City of St. Joseph, you don't need a specific 'Short-Term Rental Permit' because the city hasn't passed a law requiring one yet. However, you must still pay the 6% Michigan state tax and the 5% county lodging tax. It is very important to check with the city's Planning Department before you start, as some residential neighborhoods may technically prohibit commercial rentals under general zoning rules. Always make sure to follow the local noise ordinance, especially between 10 PM and 7 AM.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

Varies

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.No dedicated STR ordinance exists; this means the city could potentially enforce prohibitions via zoning at any time.
2.Do not confuse the 'City of St. Joseph' with 'St. Joseph County'—the county is on the other side of the state.
3.Berrien County collects a 5% lodging assessment that applies to all stays under 30 days.
4.Bed and Breakfasts have specific rules under Section 92.20; if you provide food, you must follow those stricter regulations.
5.ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) may have different restrictions; check Section 11 of the zoning code.
6.Noise complaints are strictly enforced via the city's general nuisance code.
7.Michigan state law regarding local STR preemption is currently a topic of legislative debate; rules may change quickly.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(7)

•St. Joseph allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family, Multi-family, Condominium, Apartment.
•St. Joseph: In the Downtown (D) district, short-term rentals are not allowed on the street/ground floor of the building.
•St. Joseph: STRs are PROHIBITED in R1 and R2 single-family residential zones; don't assume your neighborhood allows it.

Requirements(18)

•St. Joseph STR warning: Stairways, egress doors, and railings are strictly checked during the biennial safety inspection.
•St. Joseph requires STR registration. The permit is called "Short-Term Rental Certificate". Apply through Building Inspection Department. Processing time: Varies; requires inspection. Renewal is required.

Application Process(7)

•St. Joseph extended permit requirement: Initial/biennial inspection fee: $85 for 1st unit; $70 per additional unit

Fees & Costs(1)

•St. Joseph charges a registration fee of $100 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $85 (Initial/biennial inspection fee: $85 for 1st unit; $70 per additional unit).

Taxes(1)

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

Limits & Restrictions(5)

•St. Joseph enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
•St. Joseph: Maximum occupancy is strictly capped at 14 people regardless of building size.
•St. Joseph occupancy calculation: Lesser of 14 occupants or 2 occupants per bedroom plus 2 additional per finished story. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•St. Joseph limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.

Safety Requirements(2)

•St. Joseph requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Working telephone in unit, Egress doors/stairways in safe condition, Railings in safe condition, Address clearly visible from street.

Penalties(3)

•St. Joseph: A $1,000 fine applies to your first offense for advertising or operating without a valid permit.
•St. Joseph enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $1,000. Second offense: $2,500. Third offense: $2,500. Maximum fine: $2,500. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions(2)

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

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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.

St. Joseph

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(7)

Requirements(18)

Application Process(7)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(1)

Limits & Restrictions(5)

Safety Requirements(2)

Penalties(3)

Exemptions(2)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

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St. Joseph

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in St. Joseph?

2What is the TOT tax rate in St. Joseph, MI?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in St. Joseph, MI?

4Do I need to live in my property to rent it on Airbnb in St. Joseph?

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