Peninsula Township Board Takes Decisive Action Regarding Short-Term Rental Violations

The Peninsula Township Board recently took decisive action regarding short-term rentals on the Old Mission Peninsula. As per the ordinance, the Township prohibits rental of a non-owner-occupied dwelling for less than 30 days — otherwise commonly referred to as a “short-term rental.”

The Board recently adopted, by recommendation from the Planning Commission and via Resolution 2025-03-26 #1, the Schedule of Civil Fines for Unlawful Operation of Short-Term Rentals. As noted in Supervisor Maura Sanders’ weekly update here, she planned to send a letter and copy of the resolution to Aspire North REALTORS, a local association in Traverse City whose mission is to promote advocacy, education, ethics, and professional standards for Realtors.

As Maura noted, the Michigan Supreme Court has reaffirmed the legality of permissive zoning ordinances (Peninsula Township’s Ordinance). Here is the note she sent to Aspire North on March 26, 2025, as well as to real estate brokers who are in direct violation of the resolution. She requested that this material be available to all members and forwarded to all participating brokers/broker companies.

TO: Aspire North REALTORS
FROM: Peninsula Township
DATE: March 26, 2025
RE: Short-Term Rental Violation Fee Schedule

“At a special meeting held today, March 26, 2025, the Peninsula Township Board voted on a resolution recommended by the Peninsula Township Planning Commission. Resolution 2025-03-26 #1, Schedule of Civil Fines for Unlawful Operation of Short-Term Rentals, passed unanimously.

“The resolution and accompanying violation fee schedule are attached. Per the Peninsula Township Zoning Ordinance, Section 6.2.2(e), the rental of a residential dwelling unit in any zoning district with the exception of commercially zoned property for anything fewer than 30 days is a violation. The Peninsula Township Board requests that all members of Aspire North REALTORS, rental management companies that operate within Aspire North REALTORS, be educated about our ordinance and the violation fee schedule.

“Reference: ‘CODE OF ETHICS AND STANDARDS OF PRACTICE OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS Effective January 1, 2025. Article 2 REALTORS shall avoid exaggeration, misrepresentation, or concealment of pertinent facts relating to the property or the transaction … (Amended 1/00).’

“This letter also serves notice that Peninsula Township will seek judicial relief from any member of Aspire North REALTORS who harms the public by failing to disclose and/or purposefully assists in circumventing our Peninsula Township Zoning Ordinance, Section 4.2.1.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,
Maura Sanders, Supervisor”

As noted in the Resolution, which you can view here along with Maura’s letter, the violation fee for a first offense is $500; second offense is $750; third offense is $1500; and subsequent offenses are $5000.

The Township Board, in its enforcement of short-term rental violations, strictly considers that each day a violation exists shall be pursued as a separate offense of the Township ordinances.

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