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Allendale Charter Township approves zoning changes to allow short-term rentals and accessory dwelling units
Summary
The Allendale Charter Township Board of Trustees approved Ordinance 2026-04 on March 23, 2026, amending the township zoning ordinance to add rules for short-term rentals (capped at 50 permits) and to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) with minimum standards, setbacks, and health-department approval.
The Allendale Charter Township Board of Trustees on March 23 approved Ordinance 2026-04, a sweeping set of zoning text amendments that add regulations for short-term rentals and create standards for accessory dwelling units. The motion to adopt the ordinance was made by Mr. Vander Wall and supported by Mr. MacDonald; the motion passed.
The ordinance revises multiple sections of the township zoning ordinance. It adjusts accessory-building setback requirements in Agricultural and Rural districts, corrects section references and typographical errors, and adds a definition for Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU). The ADU provisions allow an accessory dwelling unit as an accessory to a single-family dwelling and set minimum requirements for location, residency of the property owner, configuration, setbacks, code compliance, health-department approval for water and wastewater service, building appearance, and a maximum unit area. The ordinance also clarifies that certain structures and uses are prohibited as ADUs.
A separate new section (23.24) establishes rules for Short Term Rentals (STRs) in Agricultural and Residential zoning districts. The STR section defines terms (occupant, owner, responsible local agent), requires a township permit and renewal process, requires written evidence of health-department approval, and creates performance standards covering parking, a limit of one principal dwelling per lot, maximum occupant counts, trash removal procedures, campfire controls, noise limitations, prohibitions on trespass and nuisance, and enforcement mechanisms including suspension, revocation, and appeal rights. The ordinance places a cap of fifty (50) short-term rental permits in the township and requires a named responsible local agent for each permit.
Board members did not record extended public debate in the minutes; the motion was moved by Mr. Vander Wall with support from Mr. MacDonald and was recorded as passed. The ordinance text, as described in the meeting minutes, emphasizes local permit requirements and health- and nuisance-focused performance standards rather than an outright prohibition of short-term rentals.
Next steps: the board authorized the Clerk and/or Supervisor to sign the ordinance. The minutes do not record a roll-call tally for the ordinance motion (tally not specified).
