Permit Requirements: Dearborn vs Detroit
How do permit requirements rules compare between Dearborn, MI and Detroit, MI?
Detroit has fewer restrictions than Dearborn.
Dearborn, MI
Wayne County
Dearborn treats short-term rentals under its rental certificate and zoning rules; hosts should verify licensing, inspection, and zoning compliance with the Property Maintenance and Rehabilitation Division before listing.
View full Dearborn rules →Detroit, MI
Wayne County
As of May 2026, Detroit has no separately codified short-term rental ordinance in the Detroit City Code. A draft STR ordinance was released by BSEED on January 3, 2024 and has been discussed by City Council but has not been formally adopted. Until a dedicated STR chapter is enacted, every dwelling unit rented to non-owner occupants - including for any period - is regulated as 'rental property' under Detroit City Code Chapter 8, Article XV (the comprehensively amended Property Maintenance Code Rental Ordinance passed October 29, 2024 and effective January 1, 2025, which renumbered the prior Chapter 9, Article I provisions). Operators must obtain a Certificate of Registration and Certificate of Compliance from the Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department (BSEED), and the property must satisfy Chapter 50 (Zoning) use restrictions for the underlying district.
View full Detroit rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Dearborn | Detroit |
|---|---|---|
| Rental registration | Required for non-owner-occupied | - |
| Inspection | Property Maintenance Code | 15-point property condition inspection by BSEED |
| Zoning check | Needed for transient lodging | - |
| Contact | (313) 943-2150 | - |
| Standalone STR law | Not adopted | - |
| Codified STR Chapter | - | None as of May 2026; January 3, 2024 draft remains pending |
| Governing Chapter | - | Detroit City Code Chapter 8, Article XV (Rental Ordinance, eff. January 1, 2025) |
| Permit Type | - | Certificate of Registration + Certificate of Compliance |
| Annual Fee | - | $150 (combined city rental program fee under 2024 amendments) |
| Certificate Validity | - | 3 years for residential rental property |
| Zoning Authority | - | Detroit City Code Chapter 50 (Zoning); BSEED Zoning and Special Land Use Division |
| State Use Tax | - | 6% on stays under 30 days (MCL 205.93a) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Dearborn FAQ
Can I list my Dearborn home on Airbnb?
You must register as a rental, pass inspection, and confirm your zoning district permits transient lodging.
Does Michigan preempt Dearborn STR rules?
No state preemption has been enacted; Dearborn may enforce zoning and rental licensing against STRs.
Detroit FAQ
Does Detroit have a dedicated short-term rental license?
Not as of May 2026. A draft Short Term Rental Ordinance was released by BSEED on January 3, 2024 and has been the subject of City Council discussion, but it has not been formally adopted. Until a dedicated STR chapter is enacted, every dwelling rented to non-owner occupants is regulated under Detroit City Code Chapter 8, Article XV (the general Rental Ordinance amended October 29, 2024) and must satisfy the Certificate of Registration and Certificate of Compliance requirements through BSEED. Trade-press references to a '$500 annual STR license, 90-day cap, 10-occupant maximum' describe the unadopted draft, not codified law.
What do I need to legally rent my Detroit property to short-term guests today?
Three things: (1) a Certificate of Registration for the property under Chapter 8, Article XV (apply with BSEED and pay the $150 annual rental program fee); (2) a Certificate of Compliance issued after passing the 15-point BSEED inspection (valid three years for residential); and (3) confirmation from BSEED Zoning and Special Land Use that transient rental of the dwelling is a permitted use in the underlying Chapter 50 zoning district. Operators must also register with the Michigan Department of Treasury to collect the 6% state use tax on stays under 30 days under MCL 205.93a.
What happens if I rent without a Certificate of Compliance?
Detroit City Code Sec. 8-15-82 makes it unlawful to occupy a rental property without a Certificate of Compliance. Sec. 8-15-36 classifies rental registry violations as blight violations adjudicated administratively with civil fines, and the 2024 amendments authorize tenants to deposit rent into a city-managed escrow account that may be retained by the tenant if the landlord does not come into compliance. The landlord cannot lawfully collect rent for the period of non-compliance, and the City may file liens or refer the matter for civil action.
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