For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
BASEMENT. That portion of a building, which is more than 50% below finished grade. A BASEMENT shall not be counted as a story.
BEDROOM. A room intended for sleeping or placement of a bed separated from other spaces in the dwelling unit by one or more functional doors. The following spaces, which must be included in every dwelling unit, do not qualify as BEDROOMS: kitchens; dining areas; gathering spaces such as living rooms, dens, family rooms, and attics or basements without egress meeting standards in applicable building, residential, and fire codes.
BUSINESS UNIT. A residential dwelling unit that may be rented for more than 28 interrupted days in a calendar year, including multiple properties operating as personal units under singular ownership. Month to month or yearly rentals are not classified as a BUSINESS UNIT per this chapter.
CALENDAR YEAR. January 1 to December 31.
COMPENSATION. Money or other consideration given in return for occupancy, possession, or use of a property.
DWELLING UNIT. A self-contained unit within a building that is designed for human occupancy and provides complete living facilities, including permanent provisions for sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation. DWELLING UNIT does not include bed and breakfasts, timeshare/fractional ownership, hotels and motels, and boarding houses.
ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. The person appointed by the city who shall carry out various functions of this chapter or cause other officials, inspectors, vendors, or relevant professionals to carry out various functions in order to implement and enforce the terms of this chapter.
GOOD VISITOR GUIDE. Materials prepared by the City’s Enforcement Officer for display at all short-term rentals and adopted by City Council by resolution.
LOCAL AGENT. An individual designated to oversee the short-term rental of a dwelling unit in accordance with this article and to respond to calls and complaints at any time or day from renters, citizens, and the city’s representatives within 60 minutes of such calls.
PERSONAL UNIT. A residential dwelling unit rented for periods of up to a total of 28 days per calendar year when the owner is not present or for an unlimited period of time when the property owner is present and living on the premises. A person or entity may only have one designated PERSONAL UNIT.
SALE. The General Property Tax Act, M.C.L.A. § 211.27a “transfer of ownership” as defined in Section 6(a)—(k).
SHORT-TERM RENTAL (“STR”). The rental of a dwelling unit for compensation for a term of one to 29 interrupted or uninterrupted nights per year in the R-1 and R-2 zoning districts.
(Ord. 815, passed 2-17-2020; Ord. 846, passed 3-4-2024)