4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Washtenaw County, Michigan.
Verified from official government sources
Washtenaw County has NO county-level short-term rental ordinance. Michigan has no enacted statewide STR preemption. STR rules are set by each Washtenaw County city or township. The City of Ann Arbor adopted Chapter 97 of the City Code in September 2020, requiring an annual STR license at $500 per unit, restricting STRs in residential zones to principal-residence properties only, and expressly prohibiting ADU short-term rental. Operators countywide must collect Michigan's 6 percent state use tax on transient lodging under MCL 205.93a.
Michigan imposes a 6% state use tax on lodging under 30 days. Washtenaw County levies a 5% accommodations excise tax under Public Act 263 of 1974, but it applies only to facilities providing rooms to transient guests as a business — its application to owner-rented Airbnb/Vrbo units is enforced primarily on hotels and motels.
Washtenaw County has no countywide STR parking standard. Rules are set at the city/township level. Ann Arbor STR licensing requires one off-street space per bedroom (downtown exceptions). Most townships require 2 off-street spaces per single-family dwelling on a hard surface.
Washtenaw County has no countywide STR occupancy cap. Limits are set by each city or township under the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act and the Single State Construction Code (PA 230 of 1972). Ann Arbor and Pittsfield Township enforce specific STR occupancy formulas tied to bedroom count.
1 cities in Washtenaw County have their own short-term rentals rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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