Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Grand Traverse County, MI

Airbnb listings are allowed in Grand Traverse County, MI, but with restrictions. Regulations vary by municipality: Traverse City requires licensing under Chapter 870; East Bay and Acme townships have specific STR ordinances; Garfield and Peninsula townships generally prohibit STRs in residential zones. The County Health Department requires a septic/well review documenting bedroom capacity for townships that mandate it. 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.

Regulations vary by municipality: Traverse City requires licensing under Chapter 870; East Bay and Acme townships have specific STR ordinances; Garfield and Peninsula townships generally prohibit STRs in residential zones. The County Health Department requires a septic/well review documenting bedroom capacity for townships that mandate it.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Grand Traverse County. 1. Identify the municipal jurisdiction (City or Township) and submit their specific STR application and fee (e.g., $200 in Traverse City). 2. If required by the township, apply for a 'Short-term Rental Review' from the Grand Traverse County Health Department for septic/well verification. 3. Complete any required municipal inspections and renew annually (typically by Dec 31).

1. Identify the municipal jurisdiction (City or Township) and submit their specific STR application and fee (e.g., $200 in Traverse City). 2. If required by the township, apply for a 'Short-term Rental Review' from the Grand Traverse County Health Department for septic/well verification. 3. Complete any required municipal inspections and renew annually (typically by Dec 31).

Vrbo is permitted in Grand Traverse 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 Grand Traverse 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 Grand Traverse County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.