Royal Oak Township, MI Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)

Article VI of Chapter 6, titled the "Hotel, Motel, Bed-and-Breakfast, Rooming House, Boardinghouse and Tourist Home License and Regulation Ordinance," licenses transient lodging in the Charter Township of Royal Oak. Section 6-102 defines the terms. A transient is a person lodging for compensation for a period of 30 consecutive days or less. A tourist home is any building with fewer than 10 rooms or rental units, other than rooms occupied by the family of the owner or lessee, that provides accommodations to transient persons for compensation for 30 consecutive days or less. A bed-and-breakfast is a use subordinate to the principal use of a dwelling unit as a single-family dwelling in which transient guests are provided a sleeping room and board for payment. Section 6-103 prohibits operating any of these without a license and lets the Township impose reasonable conditions on any license.

The applicant files with the Clerk's office on the Township form and pays a nonrefundable fee set by resolution of the Board of Trustees (§ 6-106). The sworn application covers each applicant's name, residence address and telephone number, operating history, employment for the preceding three years, all criminal convictions in the preceding 10 years other than traffic violations, and the proposed rates. A corporate applicant also names a resident agent in Oakland County, Michigan. The Supervisor investigates suitable character and reports within 30 days (§ 6-107). The Chief Building Inspector and Fire Marshal inspect the premises and return results to the Clerk within 30 days. A written plan of operation must be approved by the Board of Trustees (§ 6-104), and the licensee schedules inspections not less than annually.

A refused applicant has 10 days after the refusal to request a hearing before the Board of Trustees (§ 6-111). The Board can review a license at any time (§ 6-105). Licenses cannot be assigned or transferred (§ 6-117). Before nonrenewal, revocation or suspension, the licensee is mailed notice at least 10 days before a hearing, and the Board issues written findings within 60 days (§ 6-110).