Grand Rapids, MI Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)
Key Facts
- Frequency
- Annual registration required
- New owner deadline
- 30 days after purchase
- Update deadline
- 30 days after info changes
- Governing code
- PMC §§ 901.1-901.2
Summary
Every rental dwelling in Grand Rapids, any unit not occupied by its owner, must be registered with the City annually under the Property Maintenance Code.
901.2 Registration of rental dwellings required. The owner of any rental dwelling shall register such dwelling with the City annually. The owner of any rental dwelling that is vacant or abandoned as defined by this Chapter shall register such property annually.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 70).
Full Breakdown
PMC § 901.1 defines a rental dwelling as any dwelling containing a unit not occupied as a residence by its owner, including single-family homes rented out. § 901.2 then requires the owner to register that dwelling with the City every year, and to register vacant or abandoned rental property annually as well. New owners must register within 30 days of taking ownership, and any change to registration details must be updated within 30 days.
Violations & Fines
Providing inaccurate registration information or failing to register is a Property Maintenance Code violation under § 901.7, enforced as a civil infraction under § 8.503.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all rental properties in Grand Rapids need to register?
What happens after I buy a rental property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Grand Rapids
Compare Grand Rapids to another location·View the Michigan rental property rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Rental Registration in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Kent County handle rental registration.