Short-term rental permit rules in Oakland County, MI — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Oakland County does not issue a county-wide short-term rental (STR) permit. STR licensing is handled by the city or township under Michigan's Home Rule City Act (MCL 117.1 et seq.) and Township Zoning Act. Each Oakland County municipality sets its own STR permit framework — examples include Ferndale (annual STR license under Code §7-155), Hazel Park (HPMC Ch. 5.44 license, capped at 30 citywide), Clawson (Ord. 766 / Code §34.353 registration + license), and Bloomfield Township (Zoning Ord. 653).
Because Michigan has no statewide STR preemption law (HB 4722/SB 446 have failed in successive sessions), each of Oakland County's 62 cities, villages, and townships has authority to require a permit for Airbnb/VRBO operations. Most Oakland County jurisdictions that regulate STRs require: (1) an annual license issued by the city clerk or building department, (2) a residential rental property inspection, (3) proof of liability insurance, (4) designation of a 24/7 local responsible agent, and (5) compliance with the municipality's zoning code. Owners must verify which jurisdiction governs their property — addresses in Royal Oak, Troy, Farmington Hills, Pontiac, Auburn Hills, Birmingham, Southfield, Bloomfield Hills, Novi, Rochester Hills, and Waterford each operate under separate codes. The Oakland County Treasurer does not collect STR permit fees; permit fees are remitted to the local municipality.
Operating an unlicensed STR in jurisdictions that require a license is typically a municipal civil infraction with fines of $100–$500 per day in Ferndale and similar tiers in Hazel Park and Clawson. Repeated violations can lead to license revocation, denial of future applications, and injunctive relief in 6th Circuit Court (Oakland County).
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