Short-Term Rental Regulations
in St. Clair County, MI

Airbnb listings are allowed in St. Clair County, MI, but with restrictions. Regulations vary by municipality within St. Clair County. In Port Huron, non-owner-occupied STRs are prohibited in R zones and require registration of a local agent. Clay Township requires proof of a valid occupancy permit and a Zoning Compliance Permit for all vacation rentals. 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 within St. Clair County. In Port Huron, non-owner-occupied STRs are prohibited in R zones and require registration of a local agent. Clay Township requires proof of a valid occupancy permit and a Zoning Compliance Permit for all vacation rentals.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in St. Clair County. 1. Register the structure with the City and designate a responsible local agent. 2. Submit the Rental Property Registration Form and pay the required fee. 3. Schedule and pass an interior and exterior inspection by the Rental Certification Division to receive a certificate of compliance.

1. Register the structure with the City and designate a responsible local agent. 2. Submit the Rental Property Registration Form and pay the required fee. 3. Schedule and pass an interior and exterior inspection by the Rental Certification Division to receive a certificate of compliance.

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