🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Norton Shores, MI
Norton Shores Council Sends STR Ordinance Back for Revisions
Short‑Term Rentals Still Unchecked in Norton Shores
Short‑term rentals in Norton Shores will remain unregulated for now. On Tuesday, the City Council voted unanimously to deny a proposed ordinance that would have introduced new rules for rentals across the lakeside community.
The draft ordinance, discussed at the Jan. 20 meeting, defined short‑term rentals as stays between two and 28 days. It excluded hotels, campgrounds, group homes, and health‑related housing. Among its provisions were a 500‑foot separation between properties, a cap of 80 rentals citywide, and a $2,000 application fee. Licenses would be limited to three per household and would not transfer when a property was sold.
City planner Ted Woodcock estimates there are already 30 to 40 rentals operating in Norton Shores, concentrated in the Mona Vista neighborhood near Mona Lake Park and along the western side near Lake Michigan and Hoffmaster State Park. The ordinance would have divided the city into four quadrants, allowing 20 rentals in each.
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Mayor Gary Nelund acknowledged hearing complaints from neighbors near rentals, though public comment has been minimal. “There’s a desire to have short‑term rentals, but we understand neighbors and neighborhoods don’t necessarily want them,” he said.
The ordinance would have given the city a way to track rentals, designate contacts, and shut down operators who failed to follow the rules.
The Planning Commission had previously rejected an earlier draft, citing concerns about a 1,000‑foot separation requirement and vague definitions. Staff revised the ordinance to address those issues, but council members still weren’t satisfied. Instead, they directed staff to make further changes and reintroduce the proposal later.
For now, Norton Shores remains without formal rules. But the council intends to revisit the issue soon, aiming to find a framework that works for both hosts and residents.
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