Local Airbnb rules2026 21 sources cited
Is Airbnb Legal in South Haven? 2026 Rules, Permits & Taxes
South Haven requires an owner-held city license for rentals of 28 days or less: Class I ($750 for two years) or Class II ($250, capped at six rentals or 28 days a year). New rentals need overlay-district approval; fines run $1,000 to $5,000.1,10,11,12,14,16
From 17 official sources, 3 Airbnb help pages and 1 news report. Not legal advice.
The short answer
South Haven Airbnb Rules in Brief
- Every rental of 28 days or less needs a city license, issued only to the owner and valid for two years.
- Class I: unlimited rentals, no more than two stays in any seven days, $1,000,000 liability insurance. Class II: six rental terms or 28 days a year.
- Never-registered homes can be licensed only in the short-term rental overlay district, after a Planning Commission special land use approval ($500 plus a $1,500 escrow).
- Renting without a license is fined $1,000 to $5,000 a violation; Airbnb collects the 6% Michigan use tax.
Browse the live South Haven Airbnb market See Every South Haven ListingRevenue, occupancy and nightly rates are in the South Haven Airbnb market report .
At a glance
South Haven Airbnb Rules at a Glance
- License required
- Yes
- Taxes on a stay
- 6%
- Yearly night cap
- 28 nights
- Fine for hosting without a permit
- $5,000
- Active Airbnb listings
- 559
- Latest rule change
- May 1, 2026
The rules in brief
The rules a South Haven host meets first, each linked to the ordinance, statute or official page it comes from. Details and exceptions follow below.
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Permit | A city license is required1,10 |
| Who can host | Only an owner can hold the license1 |
| Where | New rentals only in the overlay district2,12,16 |
| Night cap | Class I: no yearly cap, two stays a week10,12 |
| Minimum stay | Two-night minimum12 |
| Guests | Two guests a bedroom, 12 at most1,12 |
| Listing display | Advertise only the licensed occupancy and sleeping areas1,12 |
| Safety | Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors13 |
| Insurance | $1,000,000 liability insurance for Class I1,10 |
| Neighbors | Operator answers complaints within 45 minutes10,12 |
Your home
Can You Host an Airbnb in South Haven? It Depends on the Home
Whether you can host in South Haven turns on whose home it is and whether you live there.
A home already registered as a short-term rental
Allowed with conditionsThe owner needs a zoning compliance determination, the inspection and a Class I ($750) or Class II ($250) two-year license; the city reports about four months for zoning review and has issued conditional licenses for the 2026 season to bridge the backlog.1,10,11,12
A home that has never been a short-term rental
Allowed with conditionsAllowed only inside the short-term rental overlay district, after the Planning Commission approves a special land use ($500 plus a $1,500 escrow) and the home passes zoning review and inspection. The city's FAQ names the overlay district as the route for a home that has never been a rental.2,12,14,16
A home you rent as a tenant
Not allowedThe city issues a license only to an owner of the dwelling unit, so a tenant cannot license or operate a short-term rental.1
Permit
Do You Need a Permit for Airbnb in South Haven?
Yes. Short-term rental hosts in South Haven need the short-term rental license from the City of South Haven Building Services (the rental inspector), after a zoning compliance determination from the Zoning Administrator. It costs $1,650 in the first year (An existing rental pays $1,650 for a two-year Class I license ($450 zoning review, $450 application and inspection, $750 license) or $950 for Class II ($450, $250 and $250). A never-registered home in the overlay district adds the $500 special land use fee and a $1,500 escrow, and skips the $450 zoning review fee.).1,10,11,12,14,16
- Who needs it
- The owner of any dwelling unit rented, leased or advertised for a term of 28 days or less; bed and breakfasts, hotels, motels and resorts are not covered.1,10,11,12,14,16
- Issued by
- City of South Haven Building Services (the rental inspector), after a zoning compliance determination from the Zoning Administrator
- Valid for
- A license is valid for two years from the date of issue, requires an inspection every two years, and cannot be transferred to a new owner.
- Processing
- Zoning compliance review of a completed application takes about four months.
- On listings
- No number needed on listings
- Platform checks
- The ordinance does not require the license number in listings or any platform check; advertisements may not show more guests than the licensed maximum occupancy or sleeping areas the license does not allow.
Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial zoning compliance determinationCharged on first review of an existing rental; not charged to a home that receives special land use approval. A later determination for the same property costs $50. | $450 |
| Application and inspection, Class INon-refundable; a reinspection or a missed inspection costs $150. | $450 |
| Application and inspection, Class IINon-refundable; a reinspection or a missed inspection costs $150. | $250 |
| License fee, Class IPaid after the inspection passes, for a two-year license. | $750 |
| License fee, Class IIPaid after the inspection passes, for a two-year license. | $250 |
| Special land use application (new rentals in the overlay district)Plus a $1,500 escrow deposit; the Planning Commission hears the application at a public hearing. | $500 |
Who qualifies
- Only the owner of the dwelling unit can hold the license, and it is not transferable to a new owner
- Zoning compliance determination: the home is either lawfully nonconforming (already registered as a rental) or has Planning Commission special land use approval
- Homes never registered as a short-term rental must lie in the short-term rental overlay district
- Class I is for homes that may lawfully be rented more than 28 days a year; Class II is for homes limited to 28 days a year
- A passing inspection by the city's rental inspector before the license is issued
- An operator on file: the owner or a licensed real estate broker, reachable within 45 minutes
How to apply
- Check the city's short-term rental overlay map. A home that has never been registered can apply only inside the overlay district, starting with a special land use application to the Planning Commission.
- Existing rentals file the zoning compliance review application with a site plan and floor plan and pay the $450 fee; the city reports a review time of about four months.
- Submit the short-term rental license application and fee, with proof of $1,000,000 liability insurance for Class I and an operator designation signed by a licensed broker if a broker will operate the rental.
- Schedule and pass the city inspection (smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguisher, egress and compliant sleeping areas); a passing inspection is good for 45 days.
- Collect the letter of compliance (good for 30 days), pay the license fee, and sign the license at Building Services.
Applications go through the official application page .
Permit rules
- Rentals of 28 days or less are short-term rentals
- The city treats a dwelling unit rented for commercial purposes for 28 days or less as a short-term rental; adult foster homes, bed and breakfasts, hotels, motels, inns and resorts are not short-term rentals.1,12 In force since March 27, 2025
- A city license is required
- Every short-term rental dwelling unit must hold a license under Article V of Chapter 14; Ordinance 1097 took effect on March 27, 2025 and replaced the earlier annual registration.1,10 In force since March 27, 2025
- Two license classes
- Class I (formerly Business) allows unlimited rentals; Class II (formerly Personal) allows six rental terms or 28 days of rental a calendar year. The class follows the home's zoning determination.1,10 In force since March 27, 2025
- Zoning compliance review comes first
- Before a license is issued, the Zoning Administrator must confirm the home is lawfully nonconforming or approved by special land use; the city reports about four months for a completed application.10,12,16 In force since August 1, 2025
- Conditional licenses for the 2026 season
- To clear a backlog of zoning reviews, council approved an amendment letting staff issue conditional licenses for the 2026 season from March 27, 2026 to owners who submit a complete zoning compliance and licensing application and fees.10 Applies to: rentals registered before the new ordinance · In force since March 27, 2026
- Two-year license, inspection every two years
- A license is valid for two years from the date of issue, and the city inspects the home every two years rather than annually.1,12 In force since March 27, 2025
- Advertise only the licensed occupancy and sleeping areas
- A listing may not show more guests than the licensed maximum occupancy or a room as a sleeping area unless the license allows it; the license number does not have to be shown and the license no longer has to be posted in a window.1,12 In force since March 27, 2025
Who can host
Who Can Host an Airbnb in South Haven, and Where
Michigan state law applies on top of South Haven's own rules: the Michigan short-term rental regulations page covers the state license and what cities and counties can and can't regulate.
- Only an owner can hold the license
- The city issues a license only to an owner of the dwelling unit, so a tenant cannot license a rental, and the license is tied to that owner and that home.1 In force since March 27, 2025
- New rentals only in the overlay district
- A dwelling that has never been registered as a short-term rental can be licensed only if it lies in the short-term rental overlay district and the Planning Commission grants a special land use permit.2,12,16 Applies to: homes not currently registered as rentals · In force since May 22, 2025
- Overlay rentals are a special land use
- The zoning ordinance permits short-term rentals in the overlay district as a special land use approved by the Planning Commission, which must also find the rental compatible with its neighborhood and free of nuisance noise, smoke, odor or traffic.2,14 Applies to: overlay district · In force since May 22, 2025
- Existing rentals continue as nonconforming uses
- The zoning use of a home with a lawful nonconforming rental continues unless the registration or license lapses for a year or more or is revoked, and the right to rent stays with the property rather than the owner.2,12 Applies to: homes registered before the overlay district · In force since May 22, 2025
- Parking for new rentals
- A new rental seeking special land use approval needs two off-street spaces plus one per bedroom over three in a detached home, or one plus one per bedroom over two in a multiple-family or attached home; rentals registered earlier keep their original parking standard.2,12 Applies to: new rentals · In force since May 22, 2025
Operating rules
Operating Rules for South Haven Short-Term Rentals
- Class I: no yearly cap, two stays a week
- A Class I license has no cap on rental nights a year, but the home cannot be rented for more than two rental terms in any seven consecutive days.10,12 Applies to: Class I licenses · In force since March 27, 2025
- Class II: six rentals or 28 days a year
- A Class II license allows six rental terms or 28 days of rental a calendar year, whichever comes first, and the host must give the dates to the city's STR Program Coordinator before guests arrive.10,12 Applies to: Class II licenses · In force since March 27, 2025
- Two-night minimum
- No South Haven short-term rental may be rented for less than two nights.12 In force since March 27, 2025
- Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- The inspection requires an operating smoke detector in each bedroom and each floor's common area, and an operating carbon monoxide detector on each floor.13 In force since July 2025
- Fire extinguisher in every kitchen
- Each kitchen needs at least one working, easily accessible fire extinguisher, and a safe path from every habitable space to a public way or yard without passing through a garage.1,13 In force since March 27, 2025
- Two guests a bedroom, 12 at most
- Maximum occupancy is two occupants per bedroom plus two per finished story, limited to compliant sleeping areas and capped at 12 unless the home was registered earlier for more; children under 2 do not count.1,12 In force since March 27, 2025
- $1,000,000 liability insurance for Class I
- A Class I licensee must carry at least $1,000,000 of liability insurance, covering the licensee and guests for bodily injury and property damage, while the home is offered for rent, and show proof when applying.1,10 Applies to: Class I licenses · In force since March 27, 2025
- Operator answers complaints within 45 minutes
- Every rental needs an operator on file, who must be the owner or a licensed real estate broker, and the operator must acknowledge a city complaint notification within 45 minutes; the 24-hour complaint hotline is run by Host Compliance.10,12 In force since March 27, 2025
- No event or noise waivers; no fireworks
- The city cannot issue waivers for large gatherings or for noise at a rented short-term rental, and the use of fireworks at one is prohibited; guests must be given the city's Good Neighbor Guide at booking or check-in.1,12 In force since March 27, 2025
- A new owner must apply again
- Licenses cannot be transferred; the right to rent stays with the property, but a buyer must obtain a new zoning compliance determination, license and inspection before renting.1,12 In force since March 27, 2025
- Revocation and a one-year bar
- The rental inspector can revoke a license after an uncorrected violation, after two or more civil infractions for operating violations in one licensing term, or after two or more violations of the city's noise, controlled-substance or public-peace ordinances at the home; the home then cannot be licensed again for 365 days.1 In force since March 27, 2025
Taxes
How Much Are Airbnb Taxes in South Haven?
6% Michigan use tax on the listing price and cleaning fee for stays of 30 nights or fewer; Airbnb lists no South Haven, Van Buren County or Allegan County lodging tax.
- Median nightly rate, booked nights
- $470
- Taxes on that night (6%)
- $28
- Guest pays, before Airbnb and cleaning fees
- $498
| Tax | Rate | Collected by |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan use tax on lodging 6% of the listing price including any cleaning fee, for stays of 30 nights or fewer | 6%8,9,18 | Airbnb |
At South Haven's median booked rate of $470 a night, the taxes collected on a booking come to about $28 a night.
What the host still handles
Fines
How to Avoid Airbnb Fines in South Haven
Fines in South Haven fall on hosting without the short-term rental license, or outside the rules above. With it in hand and the rules followed, none of the fines below apply.
- Renting, leasing or advertising a dwelling unit for 28 days or less without a license is a municipal civil infraction fined $1,000 for a first offense, $2,000 for a second, $4,000 for a third and $5,000 for a fourth.1
- Operating a licensed rental in breach of the operating requirements (occupancy, sleeping areas, insurance, rental terms, advertising) is a municipal civil infraction fined $250, $500, $1,000 and $1,000 for the first through fourth offenses.1
- Using fireworks at a rented short-term rental carries the same $250 to $1,000 fines.1
- After a revocation, the home cannot be licensed or used as a short-term rental for 365 days, and a revocation can be appealed in writing within 10 calendar days for a $500 fee.1,11
Changes
What's Changed in South Haven's Airbnb Rules
No change was scheduled when the rules were checked on October 17, 2026; the most recent are listed first.
- October 2026 Not in forcePlanning Commission backs by-right rentals in the overlay district
In October 2026 the Planning Commission reportedly recommended a text amendment (Resolution 20-26-23) that would replace special land use review with a zoning permit for new rentals in the overlay district; existing special land use approvals would stay valid, and the amendment would then go to the city council.21
- May 20, 2026 Not in forceState bills would add a rental registry and a local lodging tax
Senate Bill 983 would let local governments levy an excise tax on rentals of accommodations (introduced May 20, 2026), and House Bills 6026 and 6027 would create a statewide short-term rental registry and clarify the ban on total prohibition of a land use (introduced June 2, 2026); none has passed.5,6,7
- May 1, 2026
- March 27, 2026Conditional licenses begin
To clear a backlog of zoning compliance reviews, staff began issuing conditional short-term rental licenses for the 2026 season.10
- November 17, 2025Fee schedule cuts the zoning review fee to $450
Resolution 2025-37 replaced the earlier fee schedule, lowering the initial zoning compliance determination from $900 to $450 and refunding $450 to those who had paid $900.11
- August 1, 2025City starts taking Article V applications
Staff began accepting applications under the new Article V ordinance on August 1, 2025.16
- May 22, 2025
- March 27, 2025Ordinance 1097 creates the Article V license
Council adopted Ordinance 1097 on March 17, 2025. It created two-class short-term rental licenses under Article V of Chapter 14, a two-year term, inspections every two years and fines of $1,000 to $5,000 for operating without a license.1
Listing data
What South Haven's Listings Show
AirROI, a short-term-rental data firm, counted 559 active Airbnb listings in South Haven over the 12 months to September 2026. 14% of them displayed a permit, license or registration number.
Minimum stay set on South Haven listings
Share of active listings by the shortest stay they accept
Minimum stay in numbers
| Shortest stay accepted | Share of listings |
|---|---|
| 1 night | 10% |
| 2 nights | 40% |
| 3 nights | 35% |
| 4–6 nights | 12% |
| 7–29 nights | 4% |
| 30+ nights | <1% |
What officials report
- 794
- Registered short-term rental units in the city · as of January 6, 2025The city's annual inventory counted 794 registered short-term rentals on January 6, 2025, up 2.7% from 773 a year earlier; this predates the Article V licenses.15
- 4
- Zoning compliance review time · as of October 2026The city's short-term rental page gives about four months as the current review time for completed zoning compliance applications.10
Earnings
What Could a South Haven Short-Term Rental Earn?
The rules shape the numbers: a license that costs $1,650 in the first year, a cap of 28 nights a year and taxes of 6% that Airbnb adds to guests' bills. For a specific address, the Airbnb profit calculator estimates revenue, occupancy and nightly rate from comparable listings, so you can test the numbers before applying.
FAQ
South Haven Airbnb Rules: Frequently Asked Questions
Is Airbnb legal in South Haven?
Do I need a permit for Airbnb in South Haven?
How much is a South Haven short-term rental license?
Can I rent a home I don't live in?
Yes, if you own it and it is licensed. The city issues licenses only to owners, who do not have to live in the home, but a tenant cannot hold one.1
Can I start a new Airbnb in South Haven?
How many nights can I rent in South Haven?
How many guests can stay in a South Haven short-term rental?
Do I need insurance for a South Haven Airbnb?
Do I need a local manager or operator?
Does Airbnb collect hotel tax in South Haven?
Airbnb collects the 6% Michigan use tax on stays of 30 nights or fewer. Its Michigan page lists no South Haven, Van Buren County or Allegan County lodging tax.18
What is the fine for renting without a license in South Haven?
$1,000 for a first offense, $2,000 for a second, $4,000 for a third and $5,000 for a fourth. Operating breaches such as exceeding occupancy are fined $250 to $1,000.1
How long does it take to get a South Haven short-term rental license?
The city reports about four months for zoning compliance review of a completed application, followed by an inspection. For the 2026 season it issued conditional licenses from March 27, 2026 to bridge the backlog.10
How many South Haven Airbnbs are registered?
In AirROI's listing data, 14% of the 559 South Haven Airbnb listings active in the 12 months to September 2026 displayed a permit, license or registration number. A number on a listing shows the host entered one; it doesn't confirm the permit is valid.
How much does an Airbnb make in South Haven?
The average South Haven listing earned $53,100 in the 12 months to September 2026, according to AirROI, averaged across every active listing including those booked for only part of the year. The South Haven Airbnb market report breaks it down by month, property size and neighborhood.
Method
How These Rules Were Checked
Each rule on this page was checked in October 2026 against the official source cited beside it: the ordinance or statute, the permit office's own pages and the tax authority. Airbnb's help pages are cited on their own only for what Airbnb itself does, such as the taxes it collects and the permit checks it runs, and otherwise only beside an official source; news reports only for when a change was announced. Rules that could not be confirmed on an official page are left out.
Rules change with council votes, court rulings and new state laws, so the page is rechecked every three months and whenever a scheduled change takes effect. It summarizes the rules for information and is not legal advice; the local authority has the final word on any application.
Listing figures come from AirROI's tracking of 559 active South Haven Airbnb listings over the 12 months to September 2026.
Sources
Sources
Each rule above links to the source it comes from. Official ordinances, statutes and government pages come first, then Airbnb's own help pages.
- 1. Ordinance No. 1097 - Short-Term Rental Regulations · City of South Haven
- 2. City of South Haven Zoning Ordinance (as amended through May 4, 2026) · City of South Haven
- 3. South Haven Charter Township Short Term Rental Ordinance (Ordinance 157) · South Haven Charter Township
- 4. 16 CFR Part 464 - Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees · Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
- 5. House Bill 6026 of 2026 · Michigan Legislature
- 6. House Bill 6027 of 2026 · Michigan Legislature
- 7. Senate Bill 983 of 2026 · Michigan Legislature
- 8. Use Tax · Michigan Department of Treasury
- 9. Taxability of Services and Tangible Personal Property · Michigan Department of Treasury
- 10. Short-Term Rental Registration · City of South Haven
- 11. Resolution No. 2025-37: Short-Term Rental Fee Schedule (November 17, 2025) · City of South Haven
- 12. Short-Term Rental Program Frequently Asked Questions (2025-2026 licensing) · City of South Haven
- 13. Short-Term Rental Inspection Checklist (July 2025) · City of South Haven
- 14. Special Land Use Application · City of South Haven
- 15. 2025 Short-Term Rental Snapshot Report (January 15, 2025) · City of South Haven Zoning Administrator
- 16. Article V Short-Term Rentals informational meeting presentation (September 30, 2025) · City of South Haven
- 17. The Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees: Frequently Asked Questions · Federal Trade Commission
- 18. Occupancy tax collection and remittance by Airbnb in Michigan · Airbnb Help Center
- 19. Responsible hosting in the United States · Airbnb Help Center
- 20. Areas where tax collection and remittance by Airbnb is available · Airbnb Help Center
- 21. Commission recommends allowing short-term rentals by right in overlay district amid concerns about setbacks and enforcement (October 9, 2026) · Citizen Portal