Short-term rental permit rules in Kent County, MI — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Kent County, MI does not issue a county short-term rental permit. The only county-level requirement on STR hosts is the Lodging Excise Tax (Hotel-Motel Tax) under Michigan Public Act 263 of 1974, increased from 5% to 8% effective January 1, 2025. STR operating permits and registration are handled by individual cities and townships within the county.
Kent County, Michigan does not require a county-issued short-term rental permit. The county's official ordinance list at kentcountymi.gov/798/County-Ordinances includes only the Hotel-Motel Tax Ordinance among lodging-related rules — there is no county STR registration, license, or zoning ordinance. The Hotel-Motel Tax Ordinance is enacted under Michigan Public Act 263 of 1974 ("the Accommodations Tax Act"), which authorizes qualifying counties to levy up to an 8% excise on rooms rented to guests staying less than 30 consecutive days. Kent County originally levied 5% beginning in 1975; the Kent County Sports and Entertainment Facilities Proposal on the August 6, 2024 primary ballot increased that rate to 8% effective January 1, 2025, with sunset on December 31, 2042 (per the current county ordinance). The tax is collected by the Kent County Treasurer and used for the DeVos Place Convention Center bond payments, Experience Grand Rapids tourism marketing, and qualifying convention/entertainment facilities. Airbnb has a direct agreement with Kent County to remit the excise tax on behalf of platform hosts, so Airbnb guests do not pay the tax separately. All STR operating permits, zoning, occupancy, and inspection rules are handled at the city or township level within Kent County (e.g. Grand Rapids, Kentwood, Wyoming, Grattan Township).
Operating a short-term rental in Kent County without remitting the lodging excise tax exposes the operator to back-tax assessment, interest, and penalties under the county Hotel-Motel Tax Ordinance enforced by the Kent County Treasurer. There are no county-level STR permit violations because the county does not issue STR permits — zoning, registration, and licensing violations are pursued by the host city or township. Failure to register with the local municipality (where required) is enforced under that municipality's code, not by Kent County.
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