Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Eaton County, MI

Airbnb listings are allowed in Eaton County, MI, but with restrictions. Eaton County defines 'Bed and Breakfast' as having up to 4 guest rooms for stays not exceeding one week, with the proprietor required to live on-site. Rooming and boarding houses with 5 or more guest rooms are restricted to the R-3 district, and all transient lodging must meet specific lot, unit size, and parking standards. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Eaton County defines 'Bed and Breakfast' as having up to 4 guest rooms for stays not exceeding one week, with the proprietor required to live on-site. Rooming and boarding houses with 5 or more guest rooms are restricted to the R-3 district, and all transient lodging must meet specific lot, unit size, and parking standards.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Eaton County. 1) Verify the use category (Bed & Breakfast or Rooming House) and zoning district in the Land Development Code. 2) Ensure all state and local licensing is obtained and provide documentation to the Community Development Department. 3) Apply for necessary permits (site plan, conditional use, or building) via the BS&A Online portal or contact the Department of Construction Codes at (517) 543-3004.

1) Verify the use category (Bed & Breakfast or Rooming House) and zoning district in the Land Development Code. 2) Ensure all state and local licensing is obtained and provide documentation to the Community Development Department. 3) Apply for necessary permits (site plan, conditional use, or building) via the BS&A Online portal or contact the Department of Construction Codes at (517) 543-3004.

Vrbo is permitted in Eaton County, MI under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Eaton County are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Eaton County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.