State legislation has been written that would provide for the regulation of short-term rental properties at a statewide level, stripping zoning power from municipalities. Short-term rentals are made when homeowners rent out their homes with services like Airbnb, VRBO, HomeAway, and others.
House Bill 4722 is sponsored by several lawmakers including State Representative Andrew Beeler of Port Huron. The bill has passed the House. A companion bill has been introduced in the Senate.
There is fear that this could dramatically transform both neighborhoods and housing markets for both buyers and long-term renters. The Michigan Association of Townships says the bill would take zoning authority away from local governments.
Port Huron Mayor Pauline Repp is not a fan of the legislation, saying, “Anyone should be able to rent their home from time-to-time. That’s not what this bill is about. This bill opens up family homes in our community to be commercialized at a rate we never would allow locally. We need to determine for ourselves what’s best for our neighborhoods.”
A link to both bills can be found below.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
