Harbor Springs, Michigan Short-Term Rental Market
Harbor Springs caps STR licenses at 63, and September 2026 regional ADR was $355, occupancy 42.9%, monthly revenue $4,307.
Quick Answer: Harbor Springs, Michigan is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Michigan North Coastal market area is 43%. average monthly revenue in the Michigan North Coastal market area is $4,307. average daily rate in the Michigan North Coastal market area is $355. the top operator in the Michigan North Coastal market area is Northern Michigan Escapes with 198 listings. market score is 70/100 (grade C).
Market data reflects the Michigan North Coastal regional market, which includes Harbor Springs. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Harbor Springs.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
This profile uses data through September 2026. Performance figures describe the Northern Michigan STR market, a shared series that also covers Petoskey, Boyne City, Indian River and Alden, rather than numbers measured uniquely for Harbor Springs. Harbor Springs is a resort town on Little Traverse Bay in Emmet County with about 1,274 year-round residents, and its summer population rises well above that as visitors arrive for boating, beaches, golf and the harbor district.
In September 2026 the Northern Michigan STR market posted an average daily rate of $355, occupancy of 42.9% and average monthly revenue of $4,307 per listing. Compared with September 2025, occupancy rose 13.2%, ADR rose 10.8% and revenue rose 19.2%. Entire homes averaged $359 per night. In the month, houses earned $4,771, entire places earned $4,353 and apartments earned $3,535.
Over a full seasonal cycle, the monthly seasonal figures sum to $38,380 in annual revenue for the regional market. The 2026 year to date picture (nine months) shows occupancy of 46.4%, ADR of $358 and average monthly revenue of $4,485, compared with 44.2%, $322 and $3,790 for 2025 as a whole. Annual ADR rose from $226 in 2017 to $322 in 2025.
Demand has three seasons. Summer boating and beach traffic drives July, fall color along the M-119 Tunnel of Trees draws visitors from late September to late October, and skiing at Nub’s Nob and The Highlands supports the winter months. Bedroom counts, booking channels and listing types are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Harbor Springs, so this profile omits them.
Buyers should also weigh the license cap described in the regulatory section, because the supply of legal STR units inside the city is limited by ordinance.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 35% |
| Feb | 43% |
| Mar | 25% |
| Apr | 28% |
| May | 45% |
| Jun | 59% |
| Jul | 75% |
| Aug | 66% |
| Sep | 41% |
| Oct | 39% |
| Nov | 24% |
| Dec | 46% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Harbor Springs are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Michigan North Coastal market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Michigan North Coastal market as a whole, which includes Harbor Springs, so these counts are not Harbor Springs-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northern Michigan Escapes | 198 | 9,917 | ★ 4.69 |
| 2 | Evolve | 136 | 6,096 | ★ 4.71 |
| 3 | Graham Management | 73 | 1,277 | ★ 4.74 |
| 4 | Pure Vacation Management | 61 | 339 | ★ 4.73 |
| 5 | Vacation Properties of Northern Michigan | 45 | 2,209 | ★ 4.89 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Harbor Springs?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Harbor Springs are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 29.2% |
| vrbo | 17.7% |
| both | 53.1% |
Home Value Trends (Harbor Springs)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Harbor Springs are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for Harbor Springs — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Short-term rentals, meaning residential stays of 30 days or less, are legal in the City of Harbor Springs, but the city limits how many can operate. The cumulative number of STR licenses outstanding in any calendar year may not exceed 63, and a waitlist can form once the cap is reached. Anyone planning to buy for STR use should confirm license availability before purchase.
Each rental unit needs its own Short-Term Rental License, in addition to a general business license, and owners of multiple properties must file a separate application for each unit. The licenses are renewed annually. The program is governed by Ordinance No. 437, adopted in May 2023, and was amended by Ordinance No. 439, adopted May 20, 2024, which includes the cap. STRs are permitted citywide where licensed, and standard residential safety, occupancy and egress requirements apply.
Operators are responsible for Michigan’s 6% state use tax on accommodations. No separate local Harbor Springs lodging or occupancy tax was found. Enforcement severity is rated moderate, and the city is described as attentive to noise and parking. Unlicensed properties may be fined.
License fee amounts, any owner-occupancy or primary residence requirement, and exact renewal terms were not confirmed from primary sources. Verify them with the City Assessor or Zoning Administrator at 231-526-2104 before relying on this summary.
Market Comparison
The Northern Michigan STR market pairs a modest occupancy rate with a high nightly rate. September 2026 occupancy was 42.9% and the ADR was $355.
The pattern is typical of a resort region with a short peak. July reaches 75.4% occupancy, while November falls to 23.9%. High nightly rates compensate for lower occupancy, and September revenue of $4,307 per listing reflects that trade.
Growth is also notable. Year over year, occupancy rose 13.2%, ADR rose 10.8% and revenue rose 19.2%. Luxury listings at $557 and professionally managed listings at $412 sit well above the all-listings ADR of $355.
Operator and listing data are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Harbor Springs, so this profile omits top operator names. The local cap of 63 licenses is the main structural difference from open markets, since it limits new supply inside the city.
Frequently Asked Questions About Harbor Springs, Michigan
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