Township reviews short-term rental tracking software as ordinance work looms

At a Barrett Township workshop staff presented preliminary research into short-term rental (STR) tracking software and recommended continuing evaluation ahead of a forthcoming ordinance.

"With their preliminary scan, they estimated there's 166 unique short-term rentals in Barry Township," the presenter said, noting the vendor treats listings as unique properties rather than platform duplicates.

The board discussed the vendor's quoted costs: a one-time startup fee the presenter recalled as about $12,000 and an annual license near $10,000. The presenter said the software automates online permit applications, payment, reminders and continuous scanning of listing platforms, which would reduce staff time spent searching for unpermitted units. The vendor also offered to report data to the county.

Chris said the township could roll the software cost into permit inspection fees so taxpayers would not subsidize STR regulation: "We're going to roll the price of the tools into the inspections and fees and everything on the STR. So, we're not paying for it." Board members stressed that any fee schedule would need formal adoption and that software should not duplicate or prematurely replace the ordinance's enforcement framework.

Members asked additional operational questions — who would receive automated notifications, which platforms are monitored (the vendor said roughly 80 platforms), and how the system handles listings removed and then reposted. The board agreed to distribute vendor materials and to continue the discussion at a future workshop where an STR ordinance will be tied into software procurement planning.