"Now you have people who recognize its a safe option and typically costs less.". Ann Arbor, Holland, Mackinaw City, Spring Lake and others ban short-term rentals in certain zones. HANCOCK In the early hours of the morning on Oct. 27, the Michigan House of Representatives passed House Bill 4722, a piece of legislation that would alter the regulation of rental properties in residential areas within the state of Michigan. 1 0 obj In 2020 on Airbnb alone, Michigan hosts made an average of $5300. 2023 Mackinac Center for Public Policy, Michigan Supreme Court, Lawmakers Have the Chance to Straighten Out Short-Term Rental Issues. The bipartisan legislation, House Bill 4722 and Senate Bill 446, revisits an ongoing debate about local government control over short-term rentals. About Post Author Andre Ash, Digital Anchor Want to see more local news? City officials from Grand Rapids, Frankenmuth and Marquette joined the press conference to voice their concern over short-term rentals eating away at an already competitive housing market. Still, the passage of HB 4722 has raised the ire of Michigans hospitality industry. MTA believes locally elected township boards are best positioned to balance the unique needs of their community when addressing zoning issues and to protect the health, safety and welfare of residents, vacation visitors and renters. For Councilor Haeussler, the prospect of the state of Michigan imposing a one-size-fits-all regulatory framework on municipalities is discouraging. hazards. 2 0 obj Heres what affected Michiganders, Michigan Democrats want investigation into states ties to US Capitol riot, Michigan House advances bills banning vitamin E acetate in vaping products, Michigan House votes to ban government-backed coronavirus vaccine passports. SB 446: Citizen Review Boards. Email Signup % Last Action See all actions. Some communities are pushing back. endobj As the city's zoning administrator, David Weston, told The Detroit News when a similar bill was being debated a few years ago: We dont allow (some short-term rentals). Our message is very clear that we need to have thoughtful local ordinances to take into consideration all of the unique aspects of a particular community, he said. Brian Westrin, the general counsel with the Michigan Realtors Association, said it feels good to the homeowner, too. Passed Assembly Sep 02, 2021. The bills will preempt your township's local zoning authority to regulate short-term rentals. Basically what these bills are attempting to do is take a one-size-fits all approach to short-term rentals in the state of Michigan, said East Lansing Mayor Aaron Stephens. Take a look at what bills your senators and house representatives are working on today. endobj This bill will pour lighter fluid on an already red-hot housing market should it become law, making it even harder for families to put roofs over their heads. Senate third reading PASSED voting: (18-12--0) 2021-06-24: Senate: Senate miscellaneous motion: Senator Gray moved in accordance with Senate Rule 28B, I move to suspend Senate Rules 2J, 8A and B and notwithstanding Senate Rule 16, for the purpose of placing Senate Bill 1844 on the order of business, Third Reading of Bills. function(d, s, id) { Visit the FOX47News Website. In short, lawmakers claiming the current bills wont take away local control is a false narrative, Rigterink said. Get insightful commentary and the most reliable research on Michigan issues sent straight to your inbox. Stephens, said with the ease of renting these properties, he's worried they'll turn into month-by-month leases, effectively allowing rental properties where the city doesn't currently permit them. These local efforts should not be undermined and replaced with a one-size-fits-all approach from the state. While action on SB 446 wasn't anticipated, the house bill was heavily pushed to be taken up throughout the day for a vote. Saying that were going to let nuisances happen, and then well let people issue a noise violation. This resolution was shared with Governor Whitmer, Rep. Markkanen, State Sen. McBroom, and several other members of the Michigan legislature. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way, Delhi Twp - Holt - Dimondale - Southside Lansing, East Lansing, Haslett, Okemos & Williamston, East Lansing, Haslett, Okemos, Webberville & Williamston, East Lansing - Okemos - Haslett - Williamston - Webberville. These bills do a good job of recognizing that. Citizen Review Boards; Requiring the county commission or other governing body of each county to establish a citizen review board with the authority and ability to independently investigate law enforcement agencies within that county, etc. State lawmakers have advanced legislation, Senate Bill 446 and House Bill 4722, that would overturn local regulations and give blanket approval for homeowners to convert their homes to short-term vacation rentals. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23, stop Michigan communities from outright banning short-term rentals, short-term rentals through services like VRBO, Airbnb and Homestay. An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania National Guard, providing for vaccine exemption. fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); The Michigan Municipal League (MML) opposes the bill backed by GOP lawmakers, Senate Bill 446 and House Bill 4722, which aim to stop governments from banning STRs. Senate Bill 446, which mirrors HB 4722, has not been voted on in the Senate. 160 0 obj <>stream Michigan residents deserve better. There were 50 active short-term rentals in East Lansing during the first quarter of 2021, according to data from the website airdna.co. When you introduce a market of you can always Airbnb your property, you know, youre going to see those prices increase and its going to be a lot more difficult for people to move in and live in the city, said Stephens. 4985, calling it a compromise. The legislation threatens the ability for local municipalities to manage the number and location of rentals across Michigan, undermining local control and upsetting the delicate balance between property rights and the established, transparent process for local decision-making. Jarrett Skorup and Derk Wilcox | This calamity is entirely avoidable, he said. Over the last few years, the City of Hancock has been working to create a rental registration ordinance to keep track of residential rental properties in the city, ensure that they are safe and up to code, and address noise, trespassing, and other complaints. Bill authors are adamant that the bills will not overstep local zoning ordinances. Cities want the ability to over-regulate how people use their own property. "Property owners have never been in a better position to maximize the value of their property," he said. | Bill up for public hearing Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence. It was supported by Representative Greg Markkanen, R-Hancock. Some local governments already have ordinances addressing short-term rentals. Why is the House of Representatives claiming that if youre renting something, a dwelling, that thats not a commercial use of property? he wondered. Tourism is important to Michigan and short-term rentals provide visitors the opportunity to experience our beautiful state.. Grand Haven and South Haven both issued moratoriums on new short-term rentals. See Assembly Version of this Bill: A39 Current Committee: Senate Children And Families Law Section: Family Court Act Laws Affected: Amd 352.3, 446, 551, 656, 759, 842 & 1056, Fam Ct Act; amd 530.12 & 530.13, CP L; amd 240 & 252, Dom Rel L Versions Introduced in Other Legislative Sessions: 2015-2016: S7394, A10661 2017-2018: S2167, A668 Toilet paper wasnt the only shortage caused by the pandemic. When a bill is introduced, it is placed in a box called the "hopper" in the office of the Clerk of the House or the Secretary of the Senate. Some communities are pushing back. Many times, commercial interests purchase multiple homes in a community for the sole purpose of renting them on a short-term basisdaily, weekly or monthlywith no intent for the owner to ever occupy the residential property. Summary Status Votes Committee. 122 0 obj <> endobj We all deserve better than this and that opportunity still exists in the Senate.. Id*,|=0eL"KqYEbcHCj5!AGXDp3@D KX)"B!6j1k`^V}VfmC{vf1;jVc,L):I>7%ZDtbHpFEjtZqP5"chqgN8ctfE+x#Fl+"%\\cu[wP(M(;=y{POfQW1749>6q'#9]vn}"Yc{ :-&lyM{r>C Pennsylvania Senate Bill 446. House Senate B ill: 88R 873 872 871 87R 86R 851 85R 84R 833 832 831 83R 821 82R 811 81R 80R 793 792 791 79R 784 783 782 781 78R 77R 76R 75R 74R 73R 724 723 722 721 72R 716 715 714 713 712 711 71R Actions History Text | He says Senate Bill 446 and House Bill 4722 would remove the gray area and prevent any municipality from banning short-term residential rentals. In an interview with the Gazette, Councilor Haeussler discussed the bill and its implications for the City of Hancock. Sen. Aric Nesbitt, R-Lawton, who authored S.B. The bipartisan legislation, House Bill 4722 and Senate Bill 446, revisits an ongoing debate about local government control over short-term rentals. The Senate is scheduled to be on break until July 15, and the House is scheduled to be out until July 21. You and your community. Gilmartins statement continued. House Bill 4722 was not on the Oct. 26 agenda, but an amended version passed 55-48 after the GOP-controlled House stayed in session past 2 a.m. Oct. 27. The bill only focuses on zoning, and Lightner said she expects another bill package will address taxation. - Amendments made by the House will be blue, such as: House amended text. Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association President and CEO Justin Winslow said the bill takes power away from local governments and will slow the recovery of the hospitality industry. Thats just my philosophy, he explained. It could also regulate noise, traffic, advertising, or any other conditions that may create a nuisance.. Real Estate Experts say the high cost of lumber and low mortgage rates are big contributors to the housing shortage, short-term rentals are not to blame. 72 percent of voters support legislation that creates a more level regulatory playing field between short term rentals and hotels, while preventing local government from banning short term rentals, but allowing them to continue to control them. "Without a definition that characterizes the short-term rental as a permitted residential use, you are left in that gray area," Westrin said. HB 4722 passed Michigan's House with a vote of 55-48. RESOLUTION OPPOSING HOUSE BILL 4722 AND SENATE BILL 446 . The bills define short-term rentals as residential housing available for a term of no . Im always opposed to the state usurping power from local units of government. Box 568 The bill specifies that short-term rentals would be subject to parameters required for other commercial uses in a residential district. You dont have to get a license with the city.. Stephens said allowing property owners to bypass important steps in the renting process like inspections could be dangerous. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 4 0 obj He says Senate Bill 446 and House Bill 4722 would remove the gray area and prevent any municipality from banning short-term residential rentals. hmO0?8R* &A7&EZD Cities have some homeowners who argue that maintaining what they call the "character of the neighborhood" requires keeping renters out altogether. `>30@`c`4!III$&Wr00330p."p FH The numbering is retained throughout the session. Though local governments could not ban the rentals under the proposed law, they could still regulate them under noise and other ordinances, similar to how they regulate long-term rentals and single-family homes. GENERAL BILL by Bracy. 111 0 obj <> endobj Another city might not necessarily need to do that because they dont have the influx of rental properties.. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. WHEREAS, if enacted into law, House bill 4722 and Senate bill 446 would require that short-term rentals be permitted uses in all residential zones, and would deprive local residents of the right to determine for their own communities and Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines, and Daily Forecasts.