Lansing Short-Term Rental Regulations

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Permit & Licensing

Rental Property Registration & Certificate of Compliance

This permit type does not require primary residence.

Application Process

Register with the Office of Code Compliance (owner driver's license or State ID; absentee landlords living more than 40 miles away must designate a registered agent in Lansing) within 30 days of first offering the unit for occupancy. An inspection is then required, and a Certificate of Compliance is issued within 30 days of a complete application and inspection. The certificate must be renewed via reinspection no less often than every 2 years (3+ unit buildings/rooming houses with prior violations) or every 3 years (1-2 unit buildings, or larger buildings/rooming houses with no violations). Fees: $400 new registration / $200 change-of-owner; base inspection fee $215 (1-2 family) or $150 (multifamily) plus $18-25 per unit.

Tax Obligations

Combined rate: 11% of gross rental income.

Collection: State use tax and the Ingham County lodging excise tax are generally self-collected and remitted by the host/operator (Michigan Treasury registration required for use tax); the sources reviewed do not describe a Lansing/Ingham-specific platform pass-through or marketplace-facilitator collection arrangement.

Filing: Michigan use tax: monthly, quarterly, or annual returns as assigned by the Department of Treasury.

Rental Limits

Lansing does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent.

Occupancy & Density Limits

Owner-occupied: owner plus up to 2 additional unrelated adults (or, if operated as a "Rooming House," up to 3 roomers). Non-owner-occupied Airbnb/short-term rental: up to 3 unrelated adults.

Zoning & Restrictions

• The Zoning Code (Ch. 1240 et seq., rewritten May 2025) has no definition or use category for "short-term rental" — it defines only Bed and Breakfast Inn, Hotel, Motel, and Lodging Facility as distinct commercial lodging uses.
• Airbnb/short-term rental houses in residential zones are not classified under any of these and are instead treated as ordinary dwellings subject to general residential occupancy limits and mandatory on-site paved (asphalt or concrete) parking for all vehicles of residents and overnight guests.

Insurance & Safety

Insurance

Liability insurance is required for the property's use as a short-term rental, though the required coverage amount is not publicly specified.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

• Municipal civil infraction: $500 fine for violation of the Housing/Property Maintenance Code, including operating an unregistered rental (Sec. 106.3)
• Administrative fee for failure to register a rental property: $150 (Code Compliance Activity Fee Schedule)
• Unregistered rental or lack of a valid Certificate of Compliance: the Manager of Code Compliance may order the structure vacated within 30 days; occupants may pay rent into an escrow account until a Certificate of Compliance is issued

Market Snapshot

Demand context for Lansing from official government and tourism statistics — the latest published annual figures, not a projection of rental income.

Figures are the latest annual statistics published by the linked official sources (retrieved 2026-07-13). Visitor counts cover the geography stated by each source, which can be wider than the city itself. Regulations above — not market conditions — determine whether and how you may operate.

Compliance Checklist

Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Lansing:

1. Obtain liability insurance. Required for property's use as a short-term rental.
2. Apply for Rental Property Registration & Certificate of Compliance… Submit application + $400 fee.
3. Register for tax accounts. Set up lodging tax accounts with Michigan Department of Treasury; Ingham County Board of Commissioners.
4. Collect and remit taxes. 11% on all bookings.
5. Renew every 2-3 years. $215 renewal fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Lansing?

Yes. Operating a short-term rental — including an Airbnb or Vrbo — in Lansing requires a Rental Property Registration & Certificate of Compliance.

How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Lansing?

A Rental Property Registration & Certificate of Compliance in Lansing costs $400. Renewal is $215.

Does Lansing require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?

No. Lansing allows non-owner-occupied short-term rentals, so investment properties can qualify provided you hold the required permit.

How many days a year can you short-term rent in Lansing?

Lansing does not cap the number of nights per year you can short-term rent, though permitting, zoning, and occupancy rules still apply.

What taxes do you pay on a short-term rental in Lansing?

Short-term rental stays in Lansing are subject to a combined 11% in lodging taxes. This combines 6% Michigan Use Tax (accommodations) + 5% Ingham County Lodging Excise Tax (Public Act 263 of 1974). Hosts are legally responsible; many booking platforms collect and remit them automatically on the host's behalf.

What are the penalties for short-term rental violations in Lansing?

Penalties run up to $500 (see the Penalties section for the full schedule).