Short-Term Rentals in Royal Oak, MI (2026)
6 verified short-term rentals rules for Royal Oak, Michigan, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Short-Term Rental Permits
In the City of Royal Oak, a short-term rental is defined at Property Maintenance Code § 104.8 as a rental of 30 consecutive days or less. Before renting short-term, an owner must register the property and provide a $1,000,000 liability insurance certificate, a Good Neighbor Policy for guests, and, if the State requires one, a current Michigan short-term rental certificate.
Royal Oak Short-Term Rental Registration Rules
Significant RestrictionsRoyal Oak City Code § 556-4 (IPMC § 104.8)
104.8 Rental Property Registration: ... (g) "Short-term rental" means the rental of a single-family residence, a dwelling unit in a 1-to-4-family house, or any unit or group of units in a condominium unit for terms of not more than 30 consecutive days. Short-term rental does not include the rental of a hotel, motel, hotel condominium, home, or condominium unit that is located within a resort th...
Taxes & Fees
The City of Royal Oak does not tax short-term rentals directly, but it charges a rental registration fee set by City Commission resolution and a $1 per day, per unit, late charge on any registration or inspection fee paid after the 30-day grace period following expiration.
Royal Oak Rental Registration Fee and Late Charge
Light RestrictionsRoyal Oak City Code § 556-4.A(5), (9) (IPMC § 104.8(5), (9))
A late charge of $1 per day, per dwelling unit, shall be charged on all payments received after the due date, which is 30 days after the expiration of an existing registration or 30 days after meeting the conditions that an initial registration is required. ... Fees for each property for rental registration shall be set by resolution of the City Commission. Such fees shall reflect the cost of p...
Short-Term Rental Parking Rules
In the City of Royal Oak, every rental property, short-term included, must register with the City before a nonowner occupies it, and the registration application must list the number of off-street parking spaces provided. That number has to match what the owner advertises and puts in the rental agreement, so listings cannot overstate parking that does not exist on site.
Royal Oak STR Parking Space Disclosure Rule
Some RestrictionsRoyal Oak City Code § 556-4.A(3)(c) (IPMC § 104.8(3)(c))
To register a rental property with the City, the owner shall provide a completed application that shall contain all of the following: ... (c) The number of off-street parking spaces provided for the dwelling unit, which shall be the same as the number advertised and listed in the rental agreement.
Occupancy Limits
In the City of Royal Oak, no rental unit, short-term or long-term, may house more people than two occupants per bedroom plus two more per finished story that meets egress rules under the Michigan Residential Code. The cap stated on the registration application must match what the owner actually advertises and lists in the rental agreement.
Royal Oak Rental Occupancy Cap Rule
Some RestrictionsRoyal Oak City Code § 556-4.A(3)(d), (4)(c) (IPMC § 104.8(3)(d), (4)(c))
(d) The maximum number of occupants to which the applicant intends to rent the dwelling unit in any given rental period, which will be the same as the maximum number advertised and maximum number listed in the rental agreement, not to exceed two occupants per bedroom plus two additional occupants per finished story meeting the applicable egress requirements for occupancy as established by the M...
Insurance Requirements
The City of Royal Oak requires anyone registering a short-term rental, a stay of 30 days or fewer, to submit a certificate of insurance showing at least $1,000,000 in liability coverage on the property before the City will approve the registration.
Royal Oak STR $1 Million Insurance Rule
Some RestrictionsRoyal Oak City Code § 556-4.A(1)(g), (3)(e) (IPMC § 104.8(1)(g), (3)(e))
"Short-term rental" means the rental of a single-family residence, a dwelling unit in a 1-to-4-family house, or any unit or group of units in a condominium unit for terms of not more than 30 consecutive days. Short-term rental does not include the rental of a hotel, motel, hotel condominium, home, or condominium unit that is located within a resort that offers amenities such as golf, a skiing r...
Repeat Violator Strikes
In the City of Royal Oak, three or more issued violations tied to a registered rental within one registration period count as a nuisance, giving the City cause to suspend or revoke that property's rental registration under the Property Maintenance Code.
Royal Oak STR Three-Strikes Nuisance Rule
Significant RestrictionsRoyal Oak City Code § 556-4.A(6), (7)(d) (IPMC § 104.8(6), (7)(d))
Any rental registration issued by the City under this chapter may be suspended by the Code Official for cause. ... (d) A nuisance on the registered property. Three or more issued violations of the State Law, City of Royal Oak Code of Ordinances or Zoning Ordinance occurring from the use or occupancy of a registered property within a registration period shall constitute a nuisance for purposes o...
Looking for Oakland County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Royal Oak city rules.
Short-Term Rentals in Oakland County →