Short-Term Rentals in Washtenaw County, MI (2026)

10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Washtenaw County, Michigan.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Washtenaw County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply — see the city list below.

Permit Requirements

Washtenaw County doesn't license short-term rentals — under Michigan's Zoning Enabling Act (MCL 125.3101), its cities and townships do. In Ann Arbor every STR needs city authorization; commercial (non-principal-residence) STRs require a Certificate of Compliance and Housing Code inspection before operating.

Ann Arbor requires a short-term rental license

Some Restrictions

Ann Arbor City Code Ch. 97 (Short-Term Rentals), §§ 7:650–7:655

A Non-Principal Residence STR is a "commercial" rental in which the owner or host does not have to reside. They require a Certificate of Compliance, are subject to inspection under the Housing Code, and are generally prohibited in residential districts.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Noise Rules

Washtenaw County sets no STR noise rule — the city or township does. In Ann Arbor, STR noise complaints go to the Ann Arbor Police Department and must be reported while occurring; the city's general noise ordinance (Chapter 119) applies to the property.

STR noise handled by Ann Arbor police and Chapter 119

Some Restrictions

Ann Arbor Guide to STRs; noise ordinance Ch. 119

The Ann Arbor Police Department responds to noise complaints, which must be reported while they are occurring.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Taxes & Fees

Washtenaw County levies a 5% accommodation excise tax on rooms rented to guests staying under 30 days, on top of Michigan's 6% state use tax. Ann Arbor charges a $500 annual STR license fee per unit. Amounts are collected from hosts by the county Administrator.

5% county accommodation tax plus Ann Arbor's $500 fee

Some Restrictions

MCL 141.862(8) (Accommodations Tax Act, Act 263 of 1974)

The county board of commissioners of a county shall not levy an excise tax at a rate of more than 5% of the total charge for accommodations subject to this act unless a majority of the qualified electors of that county voting on the question approve the levy of the excise tax.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Parking Rules

Neither Washtenaw County nor Ann Arbor's STR ordinance sets a specific per-guest parking minimum for short-term rentals. Ann Arbor Community Standards responds to and investigates parking complaints at STRs, and general Zoning Code off-street parking rules apply to the dwelling.

STR parking complaints handled by Ann Arbor Community Standards

Some Restrictions

Ann Arbor Guide to Short-Term Rentals (Ch. 97; UDC Ch. 55)

Community Standards responds to and investigates parking, trash, and vegetation complaints.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Occupancy Limits

Washtenaw County sets no STR occupancy limit — cities and townships do. Ann Arbor's Zoning Code allows a maximum of 4 persons plus offspring in any district, or 6 persons in multiple-family and mixed-use districts, unless a Certificate of Compliance sets a lower number.

Ann Arbor caps STR occupancy at 4 to 6 guests

Some Restrictions

Ann Arbor Unified Development Code Ch. 55 (Zoning); Ch. 97 STR

A maximum of 4 persons, plus their "offspring" (descendants, adopted and foster children) are permitted in all zoning districts... A maximum of 6 persons as a single unit are permitted in multiple-family and mixed-use districts.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Insurance Requirements

Washtenaw County sets no STR insurance rule. Ann Arbor's STR license application requires operators to submit proof of insurance for the unit, along with ownership, residency and floor-plan documents. Other Washtenaw jurisdictions impose their own requirements, if any.

Ann Arbor STR license requires proof of insurance

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Night Caps

Neither Washtenaw County nor Ann Arbor caps the number of nights per year an STR may operate. Instead, an STR is defined by stay length: a dwelling unit in which guests may stay for up to 30 consecutive days. Longer stays fall under regular rental rules.

No annual night cap — STR stays limited to 30 days

Some Restrictions

Ann Arbor City Code Ch. 97 (Short-Term Rentals)

It is a dwelling unit in which guests may stay for up to 30 consecutive days.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Registration Rules

There is no countywide STR registry in Washtenaw County. Ann Arbor regulates STRs under City Code Chapter 97 plus its Zoning and Housing Codes; operators register with the city and, separately, hosts must register with the county to collect its accommodation excise tax.

Register your STR with the city, not the county

Some Restrictions

Ann Arbor City Code Ch. 97, §§ 7:650–7:655

Short-Term Rentals are regulated by City Code Chapter 97 (Short-Term Rentals), Sections 7:650 – 7:655; Chapter 55 (Unified Development/Zoning Code), Sections 5.16.1a, 5.33.6, and Tables 5.15.1 & 2; and Chapter 105 (Housing Code), Sections 8:511, 8:516, and 8:517.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Host Presence Rule

There is no countywide host-presence rule. Ann Arbor distinguishes a Homestay STR — where the permanent-resident owner lives onsite throughout the guest's stay — from a Whole House STR, where the resident owner leaves while renting. Both require the owner be a permanent resident.

Homestay STRs require the host to live onsite

Some Restrictions

Ann Arbor City Code Ch. 97 (Short-Term Rentals)

A Principal Residence Homestay STR in which the owner (or 30+ day tenant), who must be a permanent resident, also lives onsite throughout the visitors' stay.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

Washtenaw County imposes no primary-residence rule — Ann Arbor does. In Ann Arbor's residential (R) districts, an STR must be a principal-residence Homestay or Whole House rental owned by a permanent resident; non-principal-residence commercial STRs are generally prohibited in residential districts.

Residential-zone STRs must be the owner's principal residence

Some Restrictions

Ann Arbor City Code Ch. 97 (Short-Term Rentals)

A Principal Residence Whole House STR is a rental where the owner (or 30+ day tenant), who must be a permanent resident, does not occupy the dwelling unit while it is rented out.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Short-Term Rentals by City in Washtenaw County

1 cities in Washtenaw County have their own short-term rentals rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

Ann ArborPop. 123,851

6 verified rules • Insurance Requirements, Noise Rules

All Washtenaw County ordinances

See every category we cover for Washtenaw County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Washtenaw County Ordinance Hub →