| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Restricted — rules apply |
| Permit / License Required | Yes |
| Tax Rate | Michigan 6% Use/Sales Tax applies to stays under 30 days. Hosts must register with Michigan Department of Treasury. Van Buren County local assessments |
| Night / Day Cap | Minimum 2 nights, maximum 29 nights per rental term (Article V). Class II license capped at 6 rental terms OR 28 rental days per calendar year. Class |
| Minimum Stay | 2 nights minimum |
| Permit Fee | Class I (Business/unlimited rentals): $600/year; Class II (Personal/limited use): fee lower, limited to 6 rental terms or 28 days per calendar year. Z |
| Penalties | Enforcement action for failure to complete registration process. Complaints not resolved within 45 minutes by local agent trigger escalated enforcemen |
| Occupancy Limit | Per Michigan Construction Code/Fire Code standards; Township ordinance caps at lesser of 12 total occupants OR 2 per bedroom plus 2 per finished story |
Short-term rentals in South Haven, Michigan are allowed but subject to significant restrictions under local regulations as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes. The associated permit fees are Class I (Business/unlimited rentals): $600/year; Class II (Personal/limited use): fee lower, limited.
Short-term rental operators in South Haven should be aware of these tax obligations: Michigan 6% Use/Sales Tax applies to stays under 30 days. Hosts must register with Michigan Department of Treasury. Van Buren County local assessments may also apply..
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in South Haven include: Rental day cap: Minimum 2 nights, maximum 29 nights per rental term (Article V). Class II license capped at 6 rental terms OR 28 rental . Occupancy limit: Per Michigan Construction Code/Fire Code standards; Township ordinance caps at lesser of 12 total occupants OR 2 per bed. Minimum stay: 2 nights minimum.
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in South Haven: City-wide 1:4 density cap (max 20% of total housing stock may be STRs). STR overlay map governs eligible parcels. New STR registrations subject to zoning compliance review before license issuance. Con. Density rules: 1:4 ratio cap — 1 STR permitted for every 4 housing units in the city's housing stock (20% cap). City Council approved conditional STR licenses for 20. Insurance: Yes.
Hosts who fail to comply with South Haven's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Enforcement action for failure to complete registration process. Complaints not resolved within 45 minutes by local agent trigger escalated enforcement. Operating without a valid license subject to co.
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in South Haven: STR license number must be posted at the property (in window). 24/7 complaint hotline managed by Host Compliance; local agent must acknowledge complaints within 45 minutes..
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in South Haven but subject to restrictions. Hosts must comply with local permit requirements and zoning rules. All STR dwelling units must be registered under Article V, Chapter 14 (the 'New Ordinance'). Units registered under Article X ('Old Ordinance') expired on or before 5/1/2026. Bi-annual inspections req
Yes. South Haven requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes.
Short-term rental hosts in South Haven are subject to the following tax obligations: Michigan 6% Use/Sales Tax applies to stays under 30 days. Hosts must register with Michigan Department of Treasury. Van Buren County local assessments may also apply..
Hosts who operate without proper permits in South Haven may face enforcement. Enforcement action for failure to complete registration process. Complaints not resolved within 45 minutes by local agent trigger escalated enforcement. Operating without a valid license subject to code enforcement action and potential permit revocat.
South Haven has one of Michigan's most mature STR regulatory programs. Two-class licensing: Class I (formerly 'Business') allows unlimited rental seasons, max 2 stays per 7-day period; Class II (formerly 'Personal') caps at 6 terms or 28 days/year. $1,000,000 liability insurance required for Class I and Township rentals. Local agent must live within 45 miles of the property. 24/7 STR complaint hot
LawfulStay tracks STR regulations across 1,026+ cities & countries on 6 continents, updated daily.
View in Full Database →