Welcome to the City of Saugatuck Short-Term Rental Page.

As a popular tourist destination, short-term rentals play a vital role in our community. This page provides essential information about the rules and guidelines that apply to short-term rentals. By familiarizing yourself with these regulations, you can help maintain the quality of life in our community while providing a positive experience for your guests.
 
A dwelling unit which is rented to a person for less than thirty-one (31) consecutive days, or is advertised to be rented for any period less than thirty-one (31) days is required to obtain a Short-Term Rental (STR) license. 
SHORT-TERM RENTAL LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
Summary of Short-Term Rental License Regulations
  • Annual Licenses:  STRs arerequired to obtain an annual license and inspection.​
  • Occupancy Limits: Each bedroom can have 2 occupants, with the potential for an additional 2 per floor. Maximum occupancy of 12.
  • Visitor Limits: Up to 1.5 times the maximum occupancy, allowed between 7am and 11pm.
  • Advertising: All ads must include the license number.
  • Noise Ordinance: Recently updated to provide clarity for the general public.
    View Ordinance: CLICK HERE ​
  • Good Neighbor Guide: Required to be displayed in each STR. It outlines expectations for noise, trash, parking, etc.
    View Guide    : CLICK HERE
  • Trash Disposal: Must provide at least one outdoor garbage can and one recycling bin. If occupancy is at six or more, at least two garbage cans must be provided.
  • Fireworks: STR owners must prohibit use by occupants and visitors.
  • Rental Insurance: Required for all STRs.​
  • Existing STR Certificates: Valid until the expiration date, and subject to renewal under the new license requirements.
  • Response to Complaints: License holder/agent must address violations within 2 hours.
  • False Reporting: False reports about STRs is a violation.
  • Non-Transferrable: STR certificates and licenses are non-transferable and become void upon an attempted transfer of ownership.
Full Details of Short-Term Rental License 
Short-Term Rental Licensing Ordinance
APPLICATION PROCESS
sTEPS IN THE APPLICATION PROCESS
  1. Fully complete the STR License Application.
  2. Submit a complete application and required attachments with the annual license fee of $525.00.
  3. City staff will review the application for completeness and compliance with the City’s STR Licensing Ordinance.
  4. The Fire Department will be notified and will contact you (or your agent) to schedule an inspection.
  5. The Fire Department will notify the City when the dwelling unit meets the inspection guidelines. If the property fails inspection, the applicant must pay $150.00 to the City of Saugatuck for each reinspection.
  6. Upon approval, the City will issue a Short-Term Rental License which will be valid for 1 year.
APPLICATON
RENEWALS
renewal information
The license holder or local agent must apply for a renewed license by submitting a renewal application no later than 30 days prior to the date that the license is set to expire, along with the license renewal fee established by the City’s fee schedule.
  • For existing STRs in R-1 zoning districts to continue to be eligible for a license, it is important to timely renew the license prior to expiration.
  • If a STR certificate or license expires while a cap is in effect, you will not be able to re-apply until the number of active short-term rental licenses in a zoning district falls below the maximum limit, at which point you will be subject to the City’s selection process for issuing available licenses. 
steps to check expiration date
It is each owner’s responsibility to know and keep track of their expiration date—the City will not provide you with any advance notice prior to your expiration date. To check your expiration date, use the following instructions
  1. Go to the Saugatuck BS&A website: https://bsaonline.com/?uid=126
  2. Enter your address, parcel number, or owner name.
  3. Select the correct property.
  4. Click the building department tab.
  5. Under certificates, click view next to the current STR certificate or license.
  6. The expiration date will be displayed in the second column.
SHORT-TERM RENTAL REGISTRY
Current information
The most up to date information can be found using these steps:
  1. Go to the Saugatuck BS&A website: https://bsaonline.com/?uid=126
  2. Enter address, parcel number, or owner name.
  3. Select the correct property.
  4. Click the building department tab.
  5. Under certificates, click view next to the current STR certificate or license.
  6. The local agent name and phone number will be displayed. 
QUARTERLY LIST
The list of current short-term rentals and agent contacts is updated quarterly. 
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS
​ADU information
Accessory dwelling units (ADU) are permitted on a lot where the principal use is an existing single-family detached dwelling. Accessory dwelling units are not subject to the STR caps, but are still required to obtain a STR license.
 
An accessory dwelling unit can be short-term rented under the following circumstances:

  1. Obtain a short-term rental license and
    • Rent the single-family dwelling and ADU together under the same contract;
OR
  • Owner occupy the home and obtain special land use approval to separately rent the ADU. 
CAPS ON SHORT-TERM RENTALS
ZONING DISTRICT CAP DISTRICT NUMBERS
There is a cap on the number of short-term rentals in the following zoning districts:

  • Community Residential R-1: No more than 67 licenses.
  • Peninsula West R-1: No more than 10 licenses.
  • Maple Street R-1: No more than 7 licenses.
  • Peninsula South R-1: No more than 11 licenses.
  • Peninsula North (Duneside) R-1: No more than 3 licenses.
  • Peninsula North (Riverside) R-1: No more than 2 licenses.
zONING mAP FOR NON CAP DISTRICTS 
​ The City is still accepting STR applications in other zoning districts that permit STRs.
See zoning map for other districts: 
COMPLAINTS
NOISE COMPLAINTS
  • Active noise complaints should be reported to the Sheriff’s Office by dialing 911 or (269) 673-3899.
REPORTING HOTLINE 24/7
  • Call (269) 442-4845
or
CONTACT lOCAL AGENTS
Try reaching the local agent using the phone number on the STR registry list: 
contact director of planning/zoning
Director of Planning, Zoning & Project Management
Luke Thompson
[email protected]
269-857-2603