Frankfort, Michigan

Short-term rentals are permitted in Frankfort, but only with a city permit. Operating any rental under 30 days without one is unlawful, and a separate permit is required for each dwelling unit. Frankfort regulates under Ordinance #D-1 of 2023, adopted January 23, 2023, which the city ties to preserving affordable housing and residential character. The permit is a Short-Term Rental permit issued by the City, valid for up to three years and expiring December 31 of its final year. Permits do not run with the land, terminate on sale, and cannot be transferred, so a buyer must apply fresh. Fees are set by City Council resolution, so no fixed fee is published in the ordinance.

The ordinance applies in all residential districts: East City Residential, West City Residential, North City Residential and Rural. The city reserves the right to limit permits to 120 units per calendar year, and each owner is limited to two STR units. A few owners who operated three before December 31, 2022 were grandfathered until the property changes hands or is occupied more than 30 days. Hotels and units rented fewer than two weeks per year are excluded. There is no owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement, and no annual night cap is stated.

Operating rules include sleeping occupancy of two people per legal bedroom plus four, a 24/7 local contact reachable within 60 minutes, general liability insurance, a fire and safety inspection at least once per permit period, and a posted Good Neighbor Guide. Special events and commercial use are prohibited, and lodging must be inside the dwelling, not in RVs, campers or tents. Michigan’s 6% lodging tax applies. Enforcement is rated moderate, and the registration form was updated in March 2024.