Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Waterford, MI

Airbnb listings are allowed in Waterford, MI, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals (stays <30 days) are permitted only in specific residential districts (R-1 through R-MH) after receiving Planning Commission Special Approval. All units must be registered, undergo safety inspections, and if the owner is not a Michigan resident, a local agent must be designated. 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 (stays <30 days) are permitted only in specific residential districts (R-1 through R-MH) after receiving Planning Commission Special Approval. All units must be registered, undergo safety inspections, and if the owner is not a Michigan resident, a local agent must be designated.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Waterford. 1) Apply for Special Approval through the Planning & Zoning Department, which includes a pre-application conference and Planning Commission review. 2) Submit the Residential Rental Registration Form with the required fee ($12 per building + $2 per additional unit). 3) Pass a safety inspection to receive the final Rental Certification.

1) Apply for Special Approval through the Planning & Zoning Department, which includes a pre-application conference and Planning Commission review. 2) Submit the Residential Rental Registration Form with the required fee ($12 per building + $2 per additional unit). 3) Pass a safety inspection to receive the final Rental Certification.

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