🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Ionia, MI
STR Ordinance on the Table: Compliance and Transparency at Stake
Ionia Tightens the Rules on Short-Term Rentals
Big changes could be on the way for Ionia homeowners who rent their spaces short-term. On October 1, the Ionia City Council will introduce a new ordinance designed to clarify what counts as a short-term rental (STR) and lay out exactly how properties should be registered with the city. While the proposal won’t overhaul the system entirely, it’s a clear signal that Ionia wants hosts and guests alike to play by the rules.
The city has been working on this update since August, when the Planning Commission reviewed draft language and discussed it again on September 11. The revised ordinance spells out that a short-term rental is any property rented for 27 days or less. That definition helps clear up gray areas that have caused confusion in the past, particularly for residents renting rooms in their own homes or experimenting with unconventional setups.
The ordinance doesn’t just define STRs—it also establishes boundaries. For example, residents won’t be able to list tents, campers, sheds, or vehicles as short-term lodging. According to Assistant City Manager Jonathan Bowman, these exclusions are meant to ensure the city’s rules line up with both public safety and common sense. City Attorney Jeff Sluggett has also advised the changes to prevent future disputes over language.
Social Listening 🎧: Podcast
Policy talk doesn’t just happen in the news cycle—it can also live in long-form audio. STRisker’s Podcast Signal turns hours of episodes into actionable insight, indexing transcripts so you can surface key mentions of STRs, ordinances, and local decision-makers in seconds.
For property owners already renting their homes, the impact should be minimal. “There’s not much impact on residents already operating short-term rentals,” Bowman said. The real aim is to remind all rental owners—primary or secondary residence alike—that they must register with the city and stay compliant with ordinances. Otherwise, they could face steep fines.
The approval process will unfold in two steps. First, the ordinance will be introduced at the October 1 City Council meeting. After that, the city will hold a public hearing before putting the final vote to council members on November 5. Residents will have a chance to weigh in at the hearing, giving both hosts and neighbors a platform to voice opinions before the rules become law.
Bowman has a piece of advice for anyone unsure whether they’re operating legally: check with city hall. “We would encourage residents who aren’t sure if they are (following the law) to contact city offices,” he said. That applies whether you rent out your guest house occasionally or run a steady stream of vacationers through your property.
With short-term rentals continuing to rise in popularity, Ionia is taking a proactive approach. By setting clear definitions and expectations now, the city hopes to strike a balance between welcoming visitors and keeping neighborhoods orderly. If passed, these rules could provide more predictability for both renters and residents—a win-win for a city trying to keep things fair.
Stay Updated with STRisker
STRisker offers tools and features to keep you updated with the Short-Term Rental movement across the U.S.
👍 We’d love your feedback.
We're always looking for ways to improve Bulletins.
Was this one useful to you? Other topics you'd like to see get covered?
✉️ Just reply directly to this email. We read and respond to every message!
-Will McClure
🙋 P.S.
Know someone else who should be reading this Bulletin? Feel free to forward this along. We want to make sure operators and stakeholders are aware of regulatory changes in their area.