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Short-Term Rentals in Grand Rapids, MI (2026)

5 verified short-term rentals rules for Grand Rapids, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Short-Term Rental Permits

After issuing a one-room short-term rental permit, the Grand Rapids City Clerk must notify every owner and resident within 300 feet, listing the address and permit number.

Grand Rapids Short-Term Rental Registration

Some Restrictions

Grand Rapids City Code § 7.646

The City Clerk shall provide a notice within ten (10) days of issuing a one-room short-term rental permit to all owners and residents within three hundred (300) feet of the property. Notice of permit issuance for the short-term rental shall include property address, permit number, and contact information of the Clerk's licensing division which shall be provided to receive complaints regarding t...
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Short-Term Rental Parking Rules

Grand Rapids treats a bed and breakfast as short-term lodging and requires one extra on-site parking space per guest room beyond what the home already needs: street parking cannot be counted.

Grand Rapids B&B/Short-Term Rental Parking

Some Restrictions

Grand Rapids City Code § 5.9.08.G (Chapter 61, Zoning Ordinance, Article 9)

G.Parking. One (1) additional on-site parking space shall be provided for each guest room in addition to the parking required for the principal residence. On-street parking shall not be used to fulfill this requirement.H.Proximity. In order to avoid the concentration of intensive, non-residential land uses in residential neighborhoods, maintain residential character, and compatibility with adja...
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Host Presence Rule

Grand Rapids requires the owner-operator of a licensed bed and breakfast or one-room rental to live on site and be present on the premises for the entire time paying guests are staying.

Grand Rapids Short-Term Rental Host Presence Rule

Significant Restrictions

Grand Rapids City Code § 5.9.08.A, Chapter 61 – Zoning Ordinance (Bed and Breakfast)

A. Principal Residence of Owner. The dwelling unit in which the bed and breakfast operates shall be the principal residence of the owner-operator who shall reside on the premises at all periods when the use is in operation.
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

Grand Rapids limits short-term lodging licenses to owner-occupied homes: a one-room rental or bed and breakfast must be the operator's principal residence, so non-owner-occupied whole-home rentals do not qualify for these use categories.

Grand Rapids Short-Term Rentals Owner-Occupied Only

Significant Restrictions

Grand Rapids City Code § 5.16.02, Chapter 61 – Zoning Ordinance (Definitions – 'Lodging, Short Term')

ONE ROOM RENTAL. An owner-occupied dwelling in which a single room, couch, or other sleeping area is rented to no more than two adult guests overnight. The dwelling shall be the principal residence of the owner-operator and the owner-operator shall be on the premises when the rental activity is occurring. Subject to a Class B Home Occupation License.2.BED AND BREAKFAST. An owner-occupied detach...
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Extended Home Share

Renting a room in your Grand Rapids home by the night or week requires a Class B Home Occupation license from the City Clerk before you advertise or host guests.

Grand Rapids Home-Share Rental License

Some Restrictions

Grand Rapids City Code § 7.643

No person shall operate any Class B or Class C Home Occupation business unless a license therefore has been obtained as provided for in this Chapter. No person shall advertise any portion of a dwelling unit or rental by the night or by the week, unless that person shall have first obtained a Home Occupation license as provided for in this Chapter.
Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Looking for Kent County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Grand Rapids city rules.

Short-Term Rentals in Kent County →