Mears, Michigan Short-Term Rental Market
The West Michigan shoreline STR market posted a $443 ADR, 44.0% occupancy and $5,319 monthly revenue in September 2026.
Quick Answer: Mears, Michigan is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Michigan West Coastal market area is 44%. average monthly revenue in the Michigan West Coastal market area is $5,319. average daily rate in the Michigan West Coastal market area is $443. the top operator in the Michigan West Coastal market area is Jaqua Realtors with 261 listings. market score is 77/100 (grade B).
Market data reflects the Michigan West Coastal regional market, which includes Mears. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Mears.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
Mears sits at the gateway to Silver Lake State Park and the Silver Lake Sand Dunes in Oceana County, Michigan, and has about 332 residents. This profile uses the West Michigan Lake Michigan shoreline STR market, a regional series that also covers Ludington, Muskegon, Spring Lake, Holland, Douglas, Fennville, Coloma, Benton Harbor, and Bridgman. Every performance number below therefore describes that shoreline region rather than Mears alone. Bedroom, channel, and listing-type counts and top operator names are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Mears, so this profile omits them.
In September 2026 the shoreline STR market recorded an average daily rate of $443 and occupancy of 44.0%. Average monthly revenue per listing was $5,319. Compared with September 2025, occupancy rose 9.4%, ADR rose 10.5%, and revenue rose 17.2%, so the gain came from both higher rates and more booked nights. Entire-place rentals earned a $452 ADR and $5,396 in monthly revenue, houses averaged $5,772, and apartments averaged $3,689.
On a calendar basis, 2026 through September shows 50.2% occupancy, a $383 ADR, and $5,299 in average monthly revenue, compared with 46.1% occupancy, a $345 ADR, and $4,450 for full year 2025. Summing the monthly seasonal averages gives annualized revenue of $45,143 per listing. Demand around Mears is driven by roughly one million visitors a year to the dunes and state park. They are mostly leisure travelers, off-road riders, beachgoers, and campers from West Michigan, Grand Rapids, Chicago, and Detroit, and the season centers on Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 30% |
| Feb | 36% |
| Mar | 41% |
| Apr | 40% |
| May | 49% |
| Jun | 63% |
| Jul | 78% |
| Aug | 68% |
| Sep | 42% |
| Oct | 38% |
| Nov | 30% |
| Dec | 35% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Mears are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Michigan West Coastal market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Michigan West Coastal market as a whole, which includes Mears, so these counts are not Mears-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jaqua Realtors | 261 | 5,161 | ★ 4.72 |
| 2 | Evolve | 182 | 8,064 | ★ 4.66 |
| 3 | Vacasa | 175 | 7,412 | ★ 4.57 |
| 4 | Unsalted Vacations | 129 | 2,715 | ★ 4.73 |
| 5 | Bluefish Vacation Rentals | 112 | 2,880 | ★ 4.75 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Mears?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Mears 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 | 28.4% |
| vrbo | 15.4% |
| both | 56.2% |
Home Value Trends (Mears)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Mears 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 Mears — 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 are legal in Mears, but a permit is required, and it is issued by Golden Township under Ordinance #52. The ordinance was adopted in 2019 and last revised on June 8, 2021, with the revision effective June 25, 2021. It defines an STR as a rental of 30 days or less.
The permit is renewed annually, with applications and payments due by February 28, and late submissions carry a late fee. The application includes a 5-page form, proof of rental-coded insurance, a site plan, a photo of the property, posted renter rules, and a Septic Inspection Certification. Each application must also be accompanied by a permit from District Health Department #10, which covers the well and septic system. The township sets the fee and reviews it annually, but the dollar amount is not published online, so confirm it with the township clerk. The township runs an online application and renewal portal.
No owner-occupancy or primary-residence requirement was found, so investor-owned rentals are accommodated. No public cap on permits or rental nights was identified, though specific zoning-district limits should be confirmed with the township.
Michigan charges a 6% state use tax on accommodations rented for less than one month, which Airbnb and VRBO typically collect. No separate Oceana County lodging tax was identified. A statewide proposal to let local governments add up to a 3% voter-approved accommodations tax was pending as of 2025 and 2026. Enforcement is rated moderate, based on the active portal, mandatory renewal, septic inspection, and late-fee penalties.
Market Comparison
The West Michigan shoreline STR market is a high-rate, lower-occupancy market. September 2026 occupancy was 44.0% at a $443 ADR, and the 2026 year-to-date figures are 50.2% occupancy at a $383 ADR.
That combination reflects a destination with a short, intense season. July occupancy of 77.7% and August occupancy of 68.4% are strong, while winter months near 30% pull the annual picture down. Rate strength comes from the dunes, the lake, and the limited supply of rentable lodging near the attractions.
The market is also growing, with revenue up 17.2% year over year in September 2026. Operator names and listing counts are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Mears, so this profile omits them. Buyers comparing Mears with other markets should weigh the higher rates against the seasonal concentration of income and the township permit requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mears, Michigan
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