Ford River Township has adopted a zoning change that blocks new short-term rentals from residential areas and limits them to commercial zones.
The township board voted during its June meeting to allow short-term rentals only in commercial districts, according to Daily Press.
The rule affects homes listed on platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo, but it does not shut down every existing rental.
Short-term rentals that already have Special Use Permits from the township will be grandfathered in and allowed to continue operating. Listings without township permits may face a different outcome under the updated zoning rules.
The Rule Limits New Rentals to Commercial Zones
The zoning amendment lists short-term rentals as an acceptable use only in Ford River’s commercial district.
That means homeowners in residential districts cannot simply convert a house into a new Airbnb or Vrbo rental under the updated ordinance. Daily Press reported that several rentals are currently available on Airbnb and Vrbo, and listings operating without municipal permits may be shut down.
Existing Permitted Rentals Can Continue
The board’s decision does not erase every short-term rental already operating in Ford River.
Properties that already have Special Use Permits from the township are allowed to keep operating. That grandfathering provision separates owners who went through the earlier approval process from listings that may have been operating without local authorization.
The Vote Followed Years of Local Debate
The short-term rental issue had been building for years as residents, property owners, and township officials debated how vacation rentals fit into residential neighborhoods.
Some owners argued they should be able to use their properties as they choose, while some long-term residents raised concerns about rotating visitors, neighborhood character, late-night parties, and pressure on long-term housing. The June 15 vote passed 3-2, with Steve Nelson, Jayne Church, and Bob Valentine voting yes, and Amanda Wagner and Debbi Brown voting no.
Owners Still Face Registration and Inspection Rules
The zoning vote came after Ford River adopted a separate short-term rental ordinance in May.
That earlier ordinance requires short-term rental owners to apply for a Rental Certificate and be subject to annual inspections, among other requirements. For homeowners in Ford River and other communities with changing rental rules, zoning approval, local permits, inspection requirements, and enforcement deadlines now need to be checked before a property is listed for short stays.