Ann Arbor, MI Short-Term Rentals: Extended Home Share (2026)
Key Facts
- Homestay
- resident lives on-site during stay
- Whole house
- owner absent during guest's stay
- Inspection
- none required for either type
- License
- same § 7:652 license and fee
Summary
Ann Arbor's short-term rental code splits home-sharing into two license types: principal residence homestay, where the host stays on-site, and principal residence whole house, where the owner is away during the stay.
Principal residence homestay means an activity whereby the permanent resident(s) host visitors in their homes, for compensation, for periods of 30 consecutive days or less, while at least one of the permanent residents lives on-site in the dwelling unit, throughout the visitors' stay. Principal residence whole house means an activity whereby the permanent resident(s) host visitors in their homes, for compensation, for periods of 30 consecutive days or less, while a residential dwelling unit is not occupied by the owner of record while the guest is present.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 26 Update 4).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 97 defines two resident-tied rental categories distinct from non-principal-residence (investment) rentals. A principal residence homestay has at least one permanent resident living on-site throughout the guest's stay; a principal residence whole house rental lets guests occupy the entire dwelling while the resident-owner is away. Both need the same § 7:652 license, fee, and annual renewal as commercial rentals, but City Code § 7:654(2)(b) exempts both homestay and whole-house units from the pre-license inspection that other short-term rental types face, and occupancy still stays capped under UDC § 5.16.1.A.2.
Violations & Fines
Both homestay and whole-house rentals face the same Chapter 97 penalties, a civil infraction of up to $500 per day, plus license suspension or revocation for false statements or nuisance complaints.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a homestay and a whole-house short-term rental in Ann Arbor?
Does a whole-house home-share need a city inspection in Ann Arbor?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ann Arbor
Compare Ann Arbor to another location·View the Michigan short-term rentals overview
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