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Sherwood Township board defers short-term rental rulemaking to planning commission as state bills move
Summary
Trustee Courliss described short-term rentals (STRs) as stays of 30 days or less and urged an ordinance; the board agreed to return the issue to the Planning Commission. He noted Michigan House Bills 402-7 and 402-8 could restore township authority over STRs.
Trustee Courliss told the Sherwood Township Board on May 6 that short-term rentals, which he defined as "anything that is 30 days or less," are under review and that the Planning Commission is gathering input from lake residents to draft an ordinance.
During the discussion Courliss cited an MTA conference and said a township without an ordinance could impose a moratorium of up to 120 days while the Planning Commission completes a proposed ordinance. Public commenter Doug Diamond said he agreed with Courliss, adding that many purchasers of lake homes are not local and that some short-term rental properties may sit empty and fall into disrepair, which could depress neighborhood property values; he also noted some rentals distribute pamphlets promoting local businesses.
Supervisor Toren Stanton questioned who would enforce rental rules and said he was reluctant to place a moratorium because short-term rentals also bring commerce to the area. Treasurer Brubaker asked how long an ordinance might take given that the Planning Commission meets only four times a year. The board concluded it would return the matter to the Planning Commission for further work and outreach.
Trustee Courliss said Michigan House Bills 402-7 and 402-8 had passed the state House and were pending in the Senate; he characterized those bills as returning authority over STR regulation to townships and encouraged contacting state senators on the measures.
No ordinance was adopted at the May 6 meeting; the board’s action was to refer the issue back to the Planning Commission for additional review and recommendation.
