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Mackinac Island

Michigan · United States
Pending
Last updated: 2026-07-29  ·  Last verified: 2026-07-29  ·  Region: US

At a Glance — Mackinac Island Airbnb & STR Rules

RuleDetails
Regulatory StatusProposed / pending
Tax RateMichigan State Use Tax: 6% on stays of 30 nights or less. Mackinac County lodging/accommodation taxes may apply. Confirm with City of Mackinac Island
Night / Day CapUnknown — no specific annual day cap found in publicly available Mackinac Island ordinances.
Minimum StayUnknown — no minimum stay ordinance found in publicly accessible city code.
Permit FeeUnknown — no official STR-specific fee schedule found on cityofmi.org. Michigan Use Tax (6%) and applicable county lodging taxes apply.
PenaltiesUnknown from publicly available sources.
Occupancy LimitUnknown — city zoning ordinance (Ordinance No. 278 and subsequent amendments) governs land use in 11 zoning districts but no STR-specific occupancy li
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Mackinac Island Airbnb & Vacation Rental Regulation Overview

Mackinac Island Short-Term Rental Regulations Overview

Short-term rental regulations in Mackinac Island, Michigan are currently under development or pending approval as of 2026. The associated permit fees are Unknown — no official STR-specific fee schedule found on cityofmi.org. Michigan Use Tax (6%) and app.

Tax Requirements for Airbnb Hosts in Mackinac Island

Short-term rental operators in Mackinac Island should be aware of these tax obligations: Michigan State Use Tax: 6% on stays of 30 nights or less. Mackinac County lodging/accommodation taxes may apply. Confirm with City of Mackinac Island and Mackinac County..

Hosting Rules and Restrictions in Mackinac Island

Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Mackinac Island include: Rental day cap: Unknown — no specific annual day cap found in publicly available Mackinac Island ordinances.. Occupancy limit: Unknown — city zoning ordinance (Ordinance No. 278 and subsequent amendments) governs land use in 11 zoning districts bu. Minimum stay: Unknown — no minimum stay ordinance found in publicly accessible city code..

Zoning and Location Requirements in Mackinac Island

Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Mackinac Island: Mackinac Island is divided into 11 zoning districts under its Zoning Ordinance. The city has historically maintained tight controls on lodging and development to preserve its unique car-free, historic. Density rules: Unknown — no published STR density cap found. The island's small geographic size and historic preservation objectives effectively constrain developmen. Insurance: Unknown from publicly available city STR sources; general Michigan and city insurance/liability requ.

Penalties for Non-Compliance in Mackinac Island

Hosts who fail to comply with Mackinac Island's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Unknown from publicly available sources..

Platform Obligations in Mackinac Island

Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Mackinac Island: Platforms operating in Michigan are required to collect and remit Michigan Use Tax. Hosts should verify any additional local tax obligations directly with the city..

Full Regulatory Details

Regulatory Status
Pending
Tax Registration
Yes
Permit Fee
Unknown — no official STR-specific fee schedule found on cityofmi.org. Michigan Use Tax (6%) and applicable county lodging taxes apply.
Night / Day Cap
Unknown — no specific annual day cap found in publicly available Mackinac Island ordinances.
Occupancy Limit
Unknown — city zoning ordinance (Ordinance No. 278 and subsequent amendments) governs land use in 11 zoning districts but no STR-specific occupancy limit found in publicly available documents.
Tax Rate
Michigan State Use Tax: 6% on stays of 30 nights or less. Mackinac County lodging/accommodation taxes may apply. Confirm with City of Mackinac Island and Mackinac County.
Zoning Restrictions
Mackinac Island is divided into 11 zoning districts under its Zoning Ordinance. The city has historically maintained tight controls on lodging and development to preserve its unique car-free, historic character. A draft zoning ordinance amendment was circulated in late 2025 (mccmeetingspublic.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net) but specific STR provisions are not confirmed in publicly available summaries.
Minimum Stay
Unknown — no minimum stay ordinance found in publicly accessible city code.
Density Rules
Unknown — no published STR density cap found. The island's small geographic size and historic preservation objectives effectively constrain development.
Insurance Required
Unknown from publicly available city STR sources; general Michigan and city insurance/liability requirements apply for commercial lodging.
Platform Obligations
Platforms operating in Michigan are required to collect and remit Michigan Use Tax. Hosts should verify any additional local tax obligations directly with the city.
Compliance Notes
Mackinac Island was among the Michigan tourist destinations (alongside Frankenmuth, Traverse City, Petoskey, and Grand Haven) that opposed Michigan House Bill 4722, which would have barred local STR bans — indicating the city strongly favors local regulatory control. The city maintains a Community Hall Use & Short-Term Rental Agreement document (cityofmi.org/media/1176), which addresses insurance and indemnification for facility use, but is not the primary STR residential ordinance. No dedicated residential STR ordinance page was found on cityofmi.org as of July 2026.
Effective Date
Unknown — no specific STR ordinance effective date confirmed from official sources.
Key Notes
Mackinac Island's STR regulatory status could not be confirmed from a dedicated official STR ordinance page. The city's opposition to statewide STR preemption legislation suggests it maintains or seeks local regulatory control. Researchers and operators MUST contact the City of Mackinac Island directly (cityofmi.org) or review the Mackinac County records to confirm current STR permitting requirements before listing any property.
Penalties
Unknown from publicly available sources.
Additional Context
Mackinac Island is a uniquely constrained jurisdiction: it is car-free, accessible only by air, ferry, and foot/horse during limited seasons, and is a National Historic Landmark district. These factors make it atypical relative to other Michigan STR markets. The 2025 draft zoning amendment at the Mackinac Island City Commission suggests active zoning review is ongoing.
Sources
City of Mackinac Island official website: https://www.cityofmi.org
City of Mackinac Island Community Hall & STR Agreement: https://www.cityofmi.org/media/1176
Mackinac Island Zoning Ordinance Draft Amendment (2025): https://mccmeetingspublic.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/mackinacmi-meet-3ab60a74d1bd413d803d52fca97fec04/ITEM-Attachment-001-ceaad629059c4d4f9756a68eaff563a0.pdf
Michigan DNR archived Zoning Ordinance No. 278: https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/PUBLICATIONS/pdfs/ForestsLandWater/tree_ordinances/Mackinac_Island.pdf
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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Airbnb legal in Mackinac Island?

Short-term rental regulations in Mackinac Island are currently under development. Rules may change as legislation is finalized. Mackinac Island was among the Michigan tourist destinations (alongside Frankenmuth, Traverse City, Petoskey, and Grand Haven) that opposed Michigan House Bill 4722, which would have barred local STR b

What taxes apply to short-term rentals in Mackinac Island?

Short-term rental hosts in Mackinac Island are subject to the following tax obligations: Michigan State Use Tax: 6% on stays of 30 nights or less. Mackinac County lodging/accommodation taxes may apply. Confirm with City of Mackinac Island and Mackinac County..

What are the penalties for illegal Airbnb hosting in Mackinac Island?

Hosts who operate without proper permits in Mackinac Island may face enforcement. Unknown from publicly available sources..

What are the key STR compliance requirements in Mackinac Island?

Mackinac Island's STR regulatory status could not be confirmed from a dedicated official STR ordinance page. The city's opposition to statewide STR preemption legislation suggests it maintains or seeks local regulatory control. Researchers and operators MUST contact the City of Mackinac Island directly (cityofmi.org) or review the Mackinac County records to confirm current STR permitting requireme

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