🎯 STRisker: Bulletin - Park Township, MI
Park Township Says No to STRs – But At What Cost?
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Park Township Says No to STRs – But At What Cost?
In the scenic corners of West Michigan, Park Township is making waves—and not the kind you want to surf. The township has doubled down on its stance against short-term rentals (STRs) like Airbnb and Vrbo, drawing a line in the sand that all but bans STRs in most of the area. While they’re not alone in this move, it’s a decision that’s raising eyebrows and heating up debates.
Let’s rewind a bit. A few years back, Park Township brought back to life an old ban on STRs, one that had been collecting dust until officials decided to re-enforce it. Since then, things have played out about how you'd expect—housing prices climbed, and some owners found themselves with no choice but to pack it up and sell.
Just ask Laura Opsahl, a former STR host in the township, who told local news,
“We felt it was better to move on. If we could do it all over again, I would think twice about the amount of money we invested in our property.”
The backlash isn’t just local. Supporters of short-term rentals say banning them is like cutting off your nose to spite your face—especially in a state like Michigan, where STRs pump serious cash into the economy. According to data from Airbnb, Michigan hosts welcomed more than two million guests last year, raking in close to half a billion dollars in earnings. Toss in $1.3 billion in visitor spending and $350 million in tax revenue, and it’s clear these rentals aren’t just side hustles—they’re economic engines.
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Opponents of the ban argue there's a better way to handle things. Rather than block STRs entirely, why not apply existing rules and enforce them evenly across all rental types? It’s a call for balance—a “middle path,” as some have called it—that lets communities benefit from tourism while keeping neighborhoods in check.
With New York City still reeling from its own aggressive STR crackdown (and rising hotel prices as a result), the Park Township case could be a cautionary tale. The hope? That more communities will learn from these hard lessons and choose regulation over eradication.
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