Vacation Home Rental License Application

APPLY or RENEW a Vacation Home Rental License. 

Contact

City Clerk's Office
(231) 922-4480
tcclerk@traversecitymi.gov

Vacation Home Rental Ordinance

Ordinance Chapter 870

 

Applying for a New Vacation Home Rental License

All property owners who wish to operate a Vacation Home Rental in the City of Traverse City must first obtain a License. This step-by-step guide will help you quickly submit an application online.

The application fee is $200.

Review the Following Steps to Apply

  1. Is Your Property Eligible for a License?

    At this time, Vacation Home Rentals may only be operated in the following districts by license;

    C-1: Office-Service (with restrictions)
    C-2: Neighborhood Center (with restrictions)
    C-3: Community Center
    C-4: Regional Center
    D-1: Development District
    D-2: Development District (with restrictions)
    D-3: Development District
    GTC: Grand Traverse Commons
    HR: Hotel Resort
    I: Industrial District (with restrictions)
    T: Transportation District

    Search your property zoning designation by utilizing the Interactive Zoning Map

    For more information on zoning, call (231) 922-4464

  2. Review Documents

    When submitting your application, the following items will be required. 

    Parcel ID Number: Found on the Tax Parcel Viewer Map

    Proof of Liability Insurance: In the amount of $1 million per occurence

    Fire Escape Plan: A sketch of the dwelling unit, including bedrooms, and location of windows/doors

    Site Plan: Showing conformance to provisions identified in the respective zoning code

  3. Submit Your Application

    Once all documentation is in place submit your application at the link below

  4. Contact the Fire Marshall

    Once the application has been submitted, contact the Fire Marshall, Jacob Steichen at (231) 631-7423 to set up the inspection

Apply for a Vacation Home Rental License

Renewing a Vacation Home Rental License

Each Vacation Home Rental Licenses expire on December 31st.  License renewals can only be processed between 90 - 30 days prior to the license expiration date. This step-by-step guide will help you quickly submit an application online for renewal.

An applications for a renewal license is $200.

Review the Following Steps to Renew

  1. Review Documents

    When submitting your application, the following items will be required. 

    License Number: The License Number may be found on your renewal reminder email.

    If you cannot location the License Number, you may use your Tax Parcel ID, found on the Tax Parcel Viewer Map. 

    Still having trouble? Contact the City Clerk's Office.

    Proof of Liability Insurance: In the amount of $1 million per occurence

    Self Inspection Form: Complete the Self Inspection Form

    Fire Escape Plan: A sketch of the dwelling unit, including bedrooms, and location of windows/doors.

    Site Plan (only if a change has been made to the property): Showing conformance to provisions identified in the respective Zoning Code.

  2. Submit your Renewal Application

    Once all documentation is in place submit your application at the link below

  3. Contact the Fire Marshall

    Every third year, an onsite inspection is required.

    If your property requires an onsite inspection, once the application is submitted, contact the Fire Marshall, Keith Fritz, at (231) 922-4930 x 6 to set up the inspection

Renew an Existing Vacation Home Rental License