Occupancy Limits: Detroit vs Livonia
How do occupancy limits rules compare between Detroit, MI and Livonia, MI?
Detroit and Livonia have similar restriction levels.
Detroit, MI
Wayne County
Detroit has not codified a short-term-rental-specific occupancy cap such as a fixed maximum number of guests. Occupancy is governed by the bedroom-area and dwelling-unit-area provisions of the Detroit Property Maintenance Code in Chapter 8, Article XV, which incorporates the standard International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) minimum-area-per-occupant rule: a bedroom must provide at least 70 square feet for one occupant and at least 50 additional square feet for each additional occupant. The January 3, 2024 draft Short Term Rental Ordinance would add a fixed 10-person STR cap, but that draft is not yet adopted.
View full Detroit rules →Livonia, MI
Wayne County
STR occupancy in Livonia is capped by the Michigan Residential Code and local rental housing rules, generally limiting occupants to two per bedroom plus additional based on square footage.
View full Livonia rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Detroit | Livonia |
|---|---|---|
| Codified STR Headcount Cap | None; draft 10-person cap proposed January 2024 not adopted | - |
| Governing Standard | IPMC bedroom and dwelling area tables as adopted by Detroit City Code Chapter 8, Article XV | - |
| Dwelling Unit Minimum | 150 sq ft for first occupant, +100 sq ft per additional occupant | - |
| Bedroom Minimum (1 occupant) | 70 sq ft | - |
| Bedroom Minimum (2+ occupants) | 50 sq ft per occupant | - |
| Verification | BSEED 15-point inspection at Certificate of Compliance issuance/renewal | - |
| Code basis | - | Michigan Residential Code / IPMC |
| Living area minimum | - | 120 sq ft first occupant |
| Sleeping room minimum | - | 70 sq ft per additional |
| Rule of thumb | - | 2 per bedroom plus 2 |
| Smoke alarms required | - | Every sleeping room |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Detroit FAQ
What is the maximum number of guests for a Detroit Airbnb?
Detroit has not codified a flat STR headcount cap. The maximum is whatever the bedroom-area and dwelling-area math under the International Property Maintenance Code yields - 150 square feet of dwelling area for the first occupant plus 100 square feet for each additional occupant, with bedrooms providing 70 square feet for one occupant or 50 square feet per occupant if shared - as adopted by reference in Detroit City Code Chapter 8, Article XV. The January 3, 2024 draft Short Term Rental Ordinance would add a flat 10-person cap, but that draft is not yet law.
Does Detroit count children toward STR occupancy?
The IPMC area tables Detroit adopts under Chapter 8, Article XV count any person occupying the unit, including children, for the purpose of the bedroom-area calculation. Operators should compute permitted occupancy from the per-room square footage at the address and have that figure on file; BSEED inspectors verify during the 15-point Certificate of Compliance inspection.
Could a Detroit STR be classified as a rooming house or bed and breakfast?
Yes, depending on configuration and length of stay. Chapter 50 (Zoning) defines 'rooming house,' 'bed and breakfast,' and similar lodging uses and assigns them to specific districts. If BSEED Zoning determines that the operation falls into one of those use classes rather than 'one-family dwelling,' additional standards (including parking and density) apply and the operation may be limited to specific districts.
Livonia FAQ
Does Livonia enforce a hard guest count?
Not specifically for STRs, but the property maintenance code limits occupants based on square footage and must be respected.
Can I use a basement bedroom for guests?
Only if it has a code-compliant egress window, proper ceiling height, and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
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