Detroit Ord. 2018-08 restricts short-term rentals to the operator's primary residence, blocking investor-owned whole-home Airbnb portfolios. Only one STR registration is allowed per natural person citywide, with proof of homestead exemption required.
Title 21, Sec. 21-8-1 defines an eligible short-term rental as a dwelling unit that is the operator's primary residence, evidenced by Michigan driver's license, voter registration, and the principal residence exemption (PRE) tax filing on file with Wayne County. Corporations, LLCs, and out-of-state owners cannot register. A natural person may hold only one active STR permit citywide. BSEED cross-checks PRE records before issuing the registration, and the Office of the Assessor flags any property where homestead status lapses, automatically suspending the STR certificate within 30 days.
Registering a non-primary residence as STR: revocation plus $1,000 fine. Continued operation after revocation: $2,500 per booking and possible nuisance abatement injunction.
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