🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Grand Haven, MI
Vacation Rentals are Officially in—But Not Without Rules
Short-Term Rentals Get a Foot in the Door in Centertown
Grand Haven’s Centertown neighborhood is stepping into the short-term rental spotlight—carefully. This week, City Council unanimously approved a zoning change that will allow short-term rentals (STRs) in the Centertown Overlay area of the Neighborhood Mixed-Use District, but only through special land use approval.
This change opens the door for 23 additional parcels, mostly tucked between Washington Avenue’s Seventh and Eighth streets, to join the city’s roughly 350 existing STRs. But don’t start booking weekend stays just yet—Grand Haven’s approach is anything but “anything goes.”
Earlier in the year, there was talk about allowing STRs here “by right,” meaning no extra hurdles for property owners. Instead, city leaders opted for a more measured, case-by-case process. If you want to operate an STR in Centertown, you’ll need to apply for special land use approval and comply with every rule already on the books.
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That means meeting parking standards and keeping all first-floor space on Washington and Seventh fully commercial or retail. Translation? Vacation rentals will be limited to upper floors, keeping Centertown’s street-level vibe lively for shoppers, diners, and locals.
The decision comes as part of a bigger vision for Centertown. The city is now inviting planning consultants to help update the Centertown Vision Plan, a project aimed at shaping the future of one of Grand Haven’s most important commercial districts. Assistant City Manager Dana Kollewehr says the goal is to ensure the area grows into a “connected, vibrant, and sustainable part of the community.”
For now, STR advocates see opportunity, while neighbors and business owners can rest assured the new rules aim to balance growth with the area’s character. The real test? How this new policy plays out once the first applications start rolling in.
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