🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Norton Shores, MI

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Norton Shores Joins the STR Conversation: New Rules on the Horizon

As short-term rentals surge in popularity along Michigan’s lakeshore, Norton Shores is officially entering the regulation game. The city council just reviewed a draft ordinance that lays out a comprehensive framework for controlling the growth and impact of these rentals, especially in high-traffic vacation zones.

Under the proposed rules, STRs—defined as stays between 2 and 28 days—will be required to obtain both a special use permit and city registration, renewable each year. Fees are still undetermined, but compliance won’t be optional.

A few highlights:
🏠 No more than 3 STR licenses per household
📍 STRs must be spaced 1,000 feet apart
📄 Permit applications must include a parking plan, proof of liability insurance, and tenant house rules
🚫 STRs can’t use tents or campers
🧾 Licenses won’t transfer with property sales

The city plans to split STR licenses into four zones, with 20 licenses per zone to help spread out density. That’s 80 total licenses citywide—compared to an estimated 26 active rentals today.

Enforcement will be strict. Property owners could lose their permit after:

• Three municipal violations
• Two misdemeanors
• Or one felony—all within a 12-month window

City planner Woodcock said many of the calls he gets are from realtors asking about buying properties specifically to rent short-term. Others are complaints, often from the same problematic addresses. The council wants to encourage responsible hosting without letting STRs overwhelm neighborhoods.

The ordinance heads back to council for revision and another look at the May 27 work session, though no public comment will be taken at that time

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