🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Leoni Township, MI
"No New Rules, Just Reinforcement” – Leoni Township Drops STR Ordinance Plan
A Deep Dive into Your Area’s STR Updates — Helping You Navigate the Ever-Changing Rental Landscape.
"No New Rules, Just Reinforcement” – Leoni Township Drops STR Ordinance Plan
In a unanimous 6-0 decision on May 13, the Leoni Township Board of Trustees voted against a proposed ordinance that would have introduced stricter regulations for short-term rentals (STRs) such as those listed on Airbnb and VRBO. The decision aligns with a prior recommendation from the township’s planning commission which suggested that current laws are sufficient to handle issues raised by residents.
The now-rejected ordinance would have required STR property owners to obtain a permit and limit rental periods to a maximum of 30 consecutive days. These proposed changes came after several residents, particularly those living around the township’s lakes, complained about noise disturbances, trespassing, and overcrowding associated with nearby short-term rentals.
Chapter 42 - ZONING ORDINANCE
Trustee Ron Kinch, who voted with the majority, explained the board’s rationale:
“We decided just to not do the ordinance and to simply start enforcing when we get complaints.”
Instead of introducing new regulations, the township will lean on existing laws and rely on complaint-driven enforcement, asking the police department to investigate and respond as needed.
Still, Kinch acknowledged some frustration with the outcome, particularly with the difficulty in holding STR property owners directly accountable. He had hoped the ordinance could have offered a tool for addressing ongoing nuisance concerns tied to specific rental properties.
During the board meeting, Trustee Russ Jennings added that declaring problematic STRs as public nuisances—possibly through legal action by the township attorney—could be another option moving forward.
While the ordinance may be off the table for now, the message to STR operators is clear: the township expects them to ensure their guests respect local laws and community peace. Residents dealing with short-term rental issues are still encouraged to call 911 in cases of noise or trespassing as advised by Township Administrator Mike Jester.
So for now, Leoni Township is choosing enforcement over new legislation—but eyes are still on the behavior of both renters and their hosts.
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