Alpena council holds first reading of 12-month moratorium on new short-term rentals

City Attorney Bill introduced Ordinance 26-517 at the Alpena City Council meeting on March 2, 2026, proposing a temporary moratorium of up to 12 months on the registration and commencement of new short-term rental units in the city of Alpena. Bill said the measure includes background findings on local housing conditions and that any short-term rentals already registered and approved would be allowed to continue operating under the ordinance.

Bill told council the ordinance’s duration could be up to 12 months, could end earlier if the council adopts a replacement ordinance, and could be extended briefly if needed to complete drafting a permanent rule. He described enforcement provisions in section five that would make operating a short-term rental in violation a misdemeanor carrying up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $500, and said the ordinance would take effect 10 days after adoption and publication. Bill also asked staff to correct a typographical error in the draft ordinance.

City staff (Montiel) told council the city currently has 53 short-term rentals on its registration list for Alpena and that the list reflects properties that have identified themselves through the rental registration program. Montiel said the city is not actively scraping listing websites for all possible units and would rely on registration information and public tips; if an applicant attempts to register a new short‑term rental during the moratorium the city would provide a copy of the ordinance and would not accept a new registration while the moratorium is in effect.

Council members pressed staff on enforcement and penalties. City counsel and staff said the moratorium’s violation provisions would operate alongside the city’s existing rental registration ordinance; enforcement practice generally prioritizes compliance and resolution over prosecution, but the ordinance would allow fines for repeat violations and courts retain discretion to impose penalties (staff noted courts often impose less than statutory maximums on first offenses).

No final vote was taken; the ordinance received a first reading and is scheduled to return for a second reading at the council’s next meeting. Council members and staff invited additional questions in advance of that second reading.

Next steps: the ordinance is pending further review and the council will consider a second reading at its next regular meeting. If adopted after the second reading, the ordinance would take effect 10 days after adoption and publication.