Townships and other local governments will be preempted from regulating short-term rentals under
House Bill 4722.
The bill was JUST added to the Senate Regulatory Reform Committee agenda for 9:30 a.m. this morning and will be reported to the full Senate shortly. This is the last expected day of Senate voting prior to the November election.
We need ALL officials to contact their state senator to ask them to oppose this harmful legislation, which creates a
one-size-fits all approach to short-term rentals. Many communities across the state have worked hard to enact measures balancing
the needs of long-term residents and those of vacationers, as well as ensuring affordable housing—HB 4722 eliminates township authority to do so.
This bill is an assault on all townships’—and their residents’—ability to have a say in issues impacting their neighborhoods and quality of life. MTA believes that if this bill passes, it will be the beginning of continued legislative efforts to usurp local zoning and control.
Don’t assume your senator stands opposed to HB 4722; we are asking officials to reach out to confirm they are a NO vote.
Inside the bill
Under HB 4722, short-term rentals would NOT BE considered a commercial use of property and would be a permitted use in ALL residential zones—not subject to a special use or conditional use permit. The only exception is a carve out for one community in the state.
· Short-term rentals could only be subject to procedures that would also have to be applied to individual residences. That means that any inspection or requirements would also be applicable to private residences.
· The bill would require a minimum of 30% of existing residential units would have to be permitted as short-term rentals in each community—meaning nearly 1 out of every 3 residences at minimum could be a short-term rental.
· And while the bill proposed to limit the number of units under common ownership, ownership entities (LLCs, corporations) can be structured to provide unlimited ownership in each community in the state (i.e., one individual stated they were part of over 48 separate LLCs).
Short-term rentals are not the same as owner-occupied or long-term rental homes—short-term rentals conduct commercial activity like hotels, motels and bed and breakfasts. Without regulation, local officials must address complaints from their residents, including issues such as noise, parties, parking and garbage.
Townships and other local governments plan, shape and preserve the quality of life for their residents through zoning. House Bill 4722 eliminates that authority and prohibits your township from doing so.
We need your help!
MTA asks members to act quickly and
contact your state senator to urge a no vote and ensure they understand the provisions of the bill.
Even if your township does not have short-term rentals, PLEASE engage today as HB 4722 diminishes local zoning authority.
