Clawson planners recommend upfront interior inspections, propose three-year reinspection cycle for short-term rentals

Clawson’s Planning Commission on Jan. 14 recommended that the city amend its short-term rental ordinance to require an interior inspection before a license is issued and to adopt routine interior inspections thereafter.

"The planning commission recommends that the general ordinance be amended to require an interior inspection of the short term rental unit when an applicant applies for a license, and the license should only be issued if the unit passes inspection," said Unidentified Speaker (Speaker 7) during the commission’s discussion of the ordinance. The proposal would ensure a unit meets building-safety standards before it enters the short-term rental market.

Commissioners discussed how often to repeat interior inspections for active licensees. Staff noted existing short-term rental certificates all expire on Dec. 31 and suggested an implementation approach that would allow the city to inspect multiple licensees on a common cycle. After debate the commission coalesced around recommending an initial inspection plus reinspection every three years as a compromise between annual and less frequent oversight.

Staff said the town currently charges $80 for a one-year short-term rental license and that adopting a three-year inspection cycle would likely place the first interior inspections for several current licensees in 2026, since most were issued within the last year.

Commissioners also asked staff to add a short, explanatory memo tied to the ordinance language describing the safety rationale—specifically that inspections would focus on life-safety systems similar to what is reviewed for a certificate of occupancy—so council and the public understand the scope of the checks. The commission removed a previously proposed fence requirement from its memo after noting council feedback.

The commission debated whether incidental occupancy tied to real-estate transactions (for example, temporary occupancy during a closing) should be treated as short-term rental activity. Staff read the ordinance language referencing principal-residence exemptions under the General Property Tax Act and commissioners discussed adding a brief clause to allow a transfer-related occupancy exception so a property sale would not automatically trigger short-term rental restrictions.

The commission also reviewed the rationale for restricting short-term rentals to particular zoning districts, noting the placement is consistent with commercial uses and other accommodation types such as hotels and motels. Staff said the recommendation and an updated memo will be circulated to commissioners and then forwarded to city council for review; a public hearing will be scheduled again (the commission previously held one in November).