Short-Term Rental Regulations
in St. Joseph, MI

Airbnb listings are allowed in St. Joseph, MI, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals are restricted to the W (Water Recreation), R-3 (Multiple-family Residence), and D (Downtown) districts, often requiring a Conditional or Special Use Permit. Occupancy is determined by city staff based on sleeping rooms and parking; on-site parking is mandatory, and units must meet safety standards including fire escape plans and smoke/CO detectors. 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.

Short-term rentals are restricted to the W (Water Recreation), R-3 (Multiple-family Residence), and D (Downtown) districts, often requiring a Conditional or Special Use Permit. Occupancy is determined by city staff based on sleeping rooms and parking; on-site parking is mandatory, and units must meet safety standards including fire escape plans and smoke/CO detectors.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in St. Joseph. 1. Contact City Staff to confirm zoning eligibility. 2. Submit the Conditional Use Permit application (if required) and the Short-Term Rental Registration application with the $100 registration fee. 3. Pass a biennial safety inspection to receive the Short-Term Rental Certificate.

1. Contact City Staff to confirm zoning eligibility. 2. Submit the Conditional Use Permit application (if required) and the Short-Term Rental Registration application with the $100 registration fee. 3. Pass a biennial safety inspection to receive the Short-Term Rental Certificate.

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