Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Houghton County, MI

Airbnb listings are allowed in Houghton County, MI, but with restrictions. STRs are defined as rentals for less than 28 days. Owner-occupied STRs are allowed in R-1 and R-2 zones subject to Chapter 14 rules, while non-owner-occupied STRs are restricted to R-3, R-4, and business districts. All units must adhere to occupancy limits and parking requirements determined by their specific zoning district and annual city inspections. 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.

STRs are defined as rentals for less than 28 days. Owner-occupied STRs are allowed in R-1 and R-2 zones subject to Chapter 14 rules, while non-owner-occupied STRs are restricted to R-3, R-4, and business districts. All units must adhere to occupancy limits and parking requirements determined by their specific zoning district and annual city inspections.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Houghton County. 1) Complete and submit the City of Houghton Rental Housing License & Registration Form to the Building/Planning & Zoning office. 2) Provide required documentation including a floor/site plan and local contact information, and pay the annual license fee. 3) Schedule and pass an inspection by the Code Enforcement Officer to receive the annual license.

1) Complete and submit the City of Houghton Rental Housing License & Registration Form to the Building/Planning & Zoning office. 2) Provide required documentation including a floor/site plan and local contact information, and pay the annual license fee. 3) Schedule and pass an inspection by the Code Enforcement Officer to receive the annual license.

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