Wayne County does not cap STR occupancy countywide. Municipalities typically apply a standard of two guests per bedroom plus two additional. Michigan building code limits based on square footage and egress.
Short-term rental occupancy in Wayne County is governed by municipal ordinances and the Michigan Residential Code. Typical local STR caps follow the two-plus-two formula (two guests per bedroom plus two additional), with Detroit, Dearborn, Livonia, and Canton Township adopting variations. The Michigan Residential Code incorporated from the 2015 IRC requires minimum 70 square feet for a one-person sleeping room and 50 square feet per additional occupant. Bedrooms must have a window large enough to serve as emergency egress (minimum 5.7 square feet net clear opening for above-grade, 5.0 square feet for grade-floor). Michigan International Property Maintenance Code standards apply in many Wayne County cities and cap occupancy based on total habitable floor area (typically 150 square feet for the first occupant, 100 additional square feet per additional occupant). Exceeding posted occupancy can trigger zoning citations and may void insurance. STR hosts should display the occupancy limit in the unit and in the booking listing.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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See how Wayne County's occupancy limits rules stack up against other locations.
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