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.
Ann Arbor's Chapter 97 recognizes host presence through its STR types. In a Principal Residence Homestay STR, the owner (or a 30-plus-day tenant), who must be a permanent resident, also lives onsite throughout the visitors' stay — a bed-and-breakfast or single-room rental is the classic example. In a Principal Residence Whole House STR, the resident owner does not occupy the dwelling while it is rented. A Non-Principal-Residence commercial STR requires no host at all but is generally barred from residential districts. So Ann Arbor does not mandate onsite presence for every STR, but ties whole-home rentals to a permanent-resident owner. Other Washtenaw jurisdictions vary.
Misrepresenting host residency or principal-residence status on an STR application is grounds for denial or revocation and a zoning enforcement action.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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