Farmington Hills, MI Short-Term Rentals: Registration Rules (2026)

The Farmington Hills rental registration framework operates under Chapter 9 (Community Development), Article II (Housing Code), of the Code of Ordinances. Following the September 2023 amendments tied to Zoning Text Amendment 3, 2023 (the STR ordinance), the registration regime applies to all lawful STR operations in the city. Lawful STRs after September 2023 are limited to: (a) owner-occupied dwellings where the host uses the property as their permanent primary residence, and (b) pre-September-2023 registered non-owner-occupied STRs operating under the 5-year amortization window (through approximately September 2028). Non-owner-occupied STRs newly initiated after September 2023 in residential districts are unlawful and cannot be registered. The registration process requires the operator to submit to the Farmington Hills Building Division (248-871-2450, code.enforcement@fhgov.com): (1) a completed rental dwelling registration application form; (2) proof of ownership (recorded deed or other documentation); (3) for owner-occupied applicants, proof that the property is the owner's permanent primary residence (Michigan driver's license showing the property address, two or more utility bills in the owner's name at the property address, voter registration, vehicle registration); (4) driver's license or state ID for the owner and for any authorized agent or property manager; (5) designation of a local contact (with name, address, and 24-hour phone number) if the owner will be away from the property during any rental period - this requirement exists in part to ensure a responsible party can respond to emergencies, noise complaints, or code issues within a short response window; (6) payment of the rental registration application fee per the city's current fee resolution (published annually); and (7) consent to a property maintenance inspection. The inspection by the Building Division Code Enforcement officer covers: smoke alarms in each bedroom and on each story (Michigan Residential Code R314), CO detectors near sleeping areas where fuel-burning appliances or attached garages exist (R315, MCL 125.1504c), code-conforming egress from each sleeping room (R310: door to exterior or egress window with 5.7 sq ft minimum opening, 24 in height, 20 in width, 44 in sill), handrails and guards on stairs and elevated surfaces, structural integrity, working electrical/plumbing/mechanical systems, evidence of pest infestation, adequate trash disposal facilities, minimum sleeping-room sizes (R304: 70 sq ft, 7 ft minimum dimension), and general habitability under Chapter 9 Article II. Successful registration produces a Certificate of Compliance valid for up to 3 years; the operator must apply for renewal before expiration and the Building Division will conduct a reinspection. The Certificate must be posted or available on request as the operator's evidence of authority to host paying guests. Operating without a current Certificate, or operating after revocation, is a Chapter 9 Article II civil infraction enforceable by escalating per-occurrence fines and ultimately by Chapter 34 zoning enforcement with cease-and-desist and injunctive relief in 47th District Court.