Grand Rapids, MI Accessory Structures: ADU Rental Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum stay
- 30 consecutive days
- Short-term rental
- Not permitted at all
- Non-owner-occupied ADU
- Must register under Chapter 140
- Governing section
- Zoning Sec. 5.9.03.I
Summary
Grand Rapids bars accessory dwelling units from short-term rental use entirely: no ADU stay may run under 30 days, and a non-owner-occupied ADU must be registered under Chapter 140.
I.Rental. No ADU shall be rented for fewer than thirty (30) days and shall not be used as a short-term rental. If the ADU is not occupied as a residence by the owner, it shall be registered and certified as required in Chapter 140 of the City Code.J.Alterations or New Construction. Any alterations to existing buildings or structures or the construction of a new structure to accommodate an ADU shall be designed to maintain the architectural design, style, appearance and character of the main building, including but not limited to entrances, roof pitch, siding and windows.K.Deed Restriction. A deed restriction enforceable by the City shall be recorded prior to the issuance of a building permit stipulating that the ADU will not be conveyed separately from the primary dwelling unit(s). An alternative form of security may be substituted if it meets the intent of this provision and is approved by the City Attorney. (Ord. No. 2018-69, § 7, 12-18-18; Ord. No. 2019-11, § 4, 3-26-19; Ord. No. 2024-20, § 14, 4-23-24)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 70).
Full Breakdown
Section 5.9.03.I of the Zoning Ordinance flatly prohibits renting a Grand Rapids ADU for fewer than 30 days and bars using it as a short-term rental altogether: there is no license or registration path that permits nightly or weekly stays in an ADU. If the ADU is not occupied as a residence by the property owner, it must instead be registered and certified under Chapter 140 of the City Code, the City's rental registration ordinance for non-owner-occupied units. The rule sits alongside the deed restriction in Section 5.9.03.K, reinforcing that ADUs are meant to add long-term housing stock, not short-term lodging capacity.
Violations & Fines
Advertising or renting a Grand Rapids ADU for a stay under 30 days violates Section 5.9.03.I regardless of platform, and an unregistered non-owner-occupied ADU is a separate Chapter 140 violation subject to enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I list my Grand Rapids ADU on Airbnb?
What if I don't live in the ADU myself?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Grand Rapids
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