George F. Lang . Add to calendar. Thats just my philosophy, he explained. Local governments and their lobbyists are opposed to the legislation, as they are to anything that limits their powers, even when it means more freedom for individuals. The bill only focuses on zoning, and Lightner said she expects another bill package will address taxation. Thank you to everyone who has been diligently engaging lawmakers on this issue. The government should allow people to do what they wish with their property as long as they don't violate the rights of their neighbors. endobj "I was very surprised it moved on [Oct. 27] in the way and fashion it did," said Jennifer Rigterink, a legislative associate with the Michigan Municipal League (MML), which opposes the bill. %PDF-1.7 Who loses? 446: SUMMARY OF INTRODUCED BILL IN COMMITTEE Senate Bill 446 (as introduced 5-13-21) Sponsor: Senator Aric Nesbitt Committee: Regulatory Reform Date Completed: 5-18-21 CONTENT The bill would amend Article II (Zoning Authorization and Initiation) of the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act to do the following: Secondarily, I am concerned about what [the bill] is going to do to neighborhoods in Hancock, Haeussler continued. Survey results found 89% were concerned that taking away local control of short-term rentals would result in increased housing costs, more crime and fewer homes for residents. '&textSelector=' + encodeURIComponent(btoa('.page-article')); HB 4722 is scheduled for a Tuesday hearing. Under the legislation, short-term . He says Senate Bill 446 and House Bill 4722 would remove the gray area and prevent any municipality from banning short-term residential rentals. "Short-term rentals are essentially taking a residential property and turning it into commercial use," Caine said. A vote is expected within two weeks. Rules of the House; Senate Seat Requirements; House Seat Requirements . The bipartisan legislation, House Bill 4722 and Senate Bill 446, revisits an ongoing debate about local government control over short-term rentals. | This legislation protects private property rights by preventing short-term rentals from being zoned out of existence and also allows local governments to effectively regulate these properties, he said. There were 50 active short-term rentals in East Lansing during the first quarter of 2021, according to data from the website airdna.co. Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23, Lawmakers look to stop cities from banning short-term rentals, but some say they add to housing shortage, Game day visitors are focus of new short-term rental company in Ann Arbor. The MRLA conducted a small survey this summer among 400 registered Michigan voters. Stephens said with the ease of renting these properties, he's worried they'll turn into month-by-month leases. Introduced. Bill Analysis House Fiscal Agency Analysis Summary as Introduced (5/17/2021) This document analyzes: HB4722 Summary as Reported from Committee (6/24/2021) This document analyzes: HB4722 Summary as Passed by the House (11/2/2021) This document analyzes: HB4722 xnFI:N}c;,ytL/.bt9D(UX*^8=v~==n>eqST~ r!Ki.f? function(d, s, id) { | local_offer Tag. (The Center Square) - Local governments are pushing back on bills that aim to prevent cities from banning short-term rentals (STR) Senate Bill 446 and House Bill 4722 seek to allow homeowners to convert their homes to short-term vacation rentals. Dan Gilmartin, Michigan Municipal League CEO, called the push for a ban against bans a scare tactic during a Monday morning press conference. Another city might not necessarily need to do that because they dont have the influx of rental properties.. "If allowed to go unchecked, the abundance of these mini-hotels could reduce the homes available for those who live and work in our community," Caine said. HB 4722 would still allow local governments to enforce some regulation on rental properties. | The first is Senate Bill 446. The term short-term rental is defined as the rental of a single-family residence, a dwelling unit in a 1-to-4-family house, or any unit or group of units in a condominium, for terms of not more than 30 consecutive days. This would apply to many rental properties offered by companies like Airbnb and VRBO. An Act amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania National Guard, providing for vaccine exemption. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Bill authors are adamant that the bills will not overstep local zoning ordinances. We have older homes in the city," he said. If this bill got enacted, it seems to be that they would not be under regulations of zoning. 111 0 obj <> endobj 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. Those voting yes on this legislation hold the responsibility for the entirely predictable and disastrous outcomes this measure will produce. Stephens said allowing property owners to bypass important steps in the renting process like inspections could be dangerous. `>30@`c`4!III$&Wr00330p."p FH Sen. Aric Nesbitt, R-Lawton, who authored S.B. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. hb```c``e`f` @1 xwa <>/ExtGState<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI] >>/MediaBox[ 0 0 612 792] /Contents 4 0 R/Group<>/Tabs/S/StructParents 0>> 2021 Senate Bill 446: Regulate "Airbnb" type rentals Introduced by Sen. Aric Nesbitt R-Lawton on May 13, 2021 To prohibit local governments from using zoning laws to ban property owners renting out a home or condo for vacation or short-term rentals, including owners who use services like Airbnb. Jennifer Rigterink, Michigan Municipal League legislative associate, called the substitutes laughable as a solution. Cities want the ability to over-regulate how people use their own property. Still, the passage of HB 4722 has raised the ire of Michigans hospitality industry. Senate Bill 446 is sponsored by Sen. Aric Nesbitt, R-Lawton, and House Bill 4722 is sponsored by Sarah Lightner, R-Springport. MTA needs you to contact yourstate lawmakersto share your opposition to House Bill 4722 and Senate Bill 446 preempting local zoning on rental properties in residential zones. HB 4722 passed Michigan's House with a vote of 55-48. mcpp@mackinac.org June 8, 2021 . MML says Lansing outright prohibiting local government from banning STRs statewide is . Earlier this week, the Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association (MRLA), released results of a recent statewide survey they conducted demonstrating strong voter preference for retaining local control of short-term rental properties. 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. Some communities are pushing back. Contact, (989) 631-0900 All rights reserved (About Us). You and your community., It [HB 4722] certainly is very restrictive to local governments with regards to short-term rentals in my opinion,, Im not sure who Representative Markkanen represents down in Lansing, but it clearly isnt the local units of government in his district., Im always opposed to the state usurping power from local units of government. LANSING, Mich. The Michigan Department of Treasury on Tuesday announced that more than Youre operating a farm or ranch. What you may not have known is there is a legislative battle playing out in Michigan over property rights and municipal rights over short-term rentals, like Airbnb. 160 0 obj <>stream 1 0 obj SB 1664: Economic Development. Tourism in the Upper Peninsula is a growing industry with visitors flocking to the area for the history, scenery, and outdoor recreation opportunities. That happened to a metro Detroit man, and legislation is hoping to protect what some say is a long-time Michigan tradition, but some cities worry the law could take away their rights. hbbd```b``fA$S7duOIo9L&Ml500&2D;I B X}4Hc "=*{`5Aj,`Ye w%/nf`9i{ The numbering is retained throughout the session. 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. WHEREAS, Michigan Senate Bill 446 and its companion legislation House Bill 4722, seeks to amend the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, which defines a short term rental as any rental less than 30 days as a residential use of the property that should be permitted in any area zoned residential. Lawmakers have tried to tackle regulation of short-term rentals in the past, but Lightner said HB 4722 was a narrower bill to stop cities from banning short-term rentals outright. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. push_pin Pin . 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. The bills will preempt your townships local zoning authority to regulate short-term rentals. 2021-2022 Regular Session. We all deserve better than this and that opportunity still exists in the Senate.. Members Only Briefs Legislator Guidebook Ohio Government Websites; Site Search. Cities have some homeowners who argue that maintaining what they call the "character of the neighborhood" requires keeping renters out altogether. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Across the state, some cities like Ann Arbor are attempting to place restrictions on short-term rentals, and others are using zoning to stop it altogether. Tweets by @MMLeague Each side says the other wants governmental overreach. ;z3BOxQaagw~gn .PWPIeJ4H7x?^x~Q~xO?,_W3y0cY#oW?a-Z`D?uT$P _{};gps ;._#\?~"Q!Bk~]_#OgpWt{ZC 1Hje(,1sP O %"/, LrO mAIJ |%3KGcXel]y/$=X*9d`+Wk~]t '?pageURL=' + encodeURIComponent(window.location.href) + Take a look at what bills your senators and house representatives are working on today. However, even myself, I used a hotel multiple times a year, but Ive also done short term rentals. March 24, 2021, Jarrett Skorup | ^y_}55(Ds r5Dx4* %%EOF Track It. Further, rental properties would no longer have to abide by local regulationsuch as inspections and licensingunless the same requirements are applied to all owner-occupied residential property as well. Sign up here The legislation will also affect the quality of life for residents living near a short-term rentalnegatively impacting their property rights. Cu/_/UR du6f>QB8^)=8|9K:}9. js.src = p + "://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"; (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)AP. Return To Search Interested In SB77? Last week, Rep. John Damoose, R-Harbor Springs, and Rep. Jack OMalley, R-Lake Ann, proposed House Bill 4985. | . Rep. Sarah Lightner, R-Springport, sponsored 4722. It was disappointing, then, to see the House of Representatives work through the night to pass legislation that will make the hotel industrys recovery that much harder.. Cathy Lloyd-Langley loves adventure and she loves Michigan. Bill up for public hearing Senate Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence. A June 2021 survey of 400 registered Michigan voters conducted by the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association (MRLA) indicated that 89% of respondents were concerned that the removal of local control over short-term rentals would result in higher housing costs, increased crime, and fewer homes for residents. Permission to reprint this blog post in whole or in part is hereby granted, provided that the author (or authors) and the Mackinac Center for Public Policy are properly cited. The substitutes would keep short-term rentals from being zoned out of existence, but would not stop local ordinances from regulating noise, traffic, advertising and capacity. Well, theres somebody new in that property every few days. Some communities are pushing back. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Proponents of the bill say that its passage will help property owners earn extra income and will give tourists more lodging options. Commercial investors, out-of-town business interests, and real estate brokers. The Michigan Municipal League is in support of H.B. hmO0?8R* &A7&EZD Michigans hotel industry remains in a weakened state from a pandemic that is still presenting very real challenges to its survival 18 months later, he said. The legislation defines a short-term rental as the rental of a single-family home, a one- to four-family home, or any unit or group of units in a condominium, for no more than 30 days. In response, Lightner penned a substitute to the House bill. On Wednesday, the Senate and House both adjorned without any movement of the highly opposed short-term rental preemption legislation, senate bill 446 and house bill 4722. Related: Lawmakers look to stop cities from banning short-term rentals, but some say they add to housing shortage. In order for us to maintain a quality life in Grand Rapids, we need additional housing supply, he said. A house and senate bill could require cities to make short term and vacation rental properties like Airbnb's legal in areas where they are currently banned. Theres just all kinds of headaches that this creates, depending on how your municipality has tried to handle residential rentals, he said. The proposed legislation is supported by the Michigan Realtors and the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. endstream endobj startxref May 24, 2021. Im concerned about the enforcement of our own ordinances and how theyre going to fit within this. Get insightful commentary and the most reliable research on Michigan issues sent straight to your inbox. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. SB 446: Citizen Review Boards. The bills define short-term rentals as housing available for no more than 30 days. "Folks that are renting in the area, we want to make sure that those homes are safe for people there, so we do regular inspections. | They also cite regulations about the appearance of property. !{yYur^SC#g_D \uEd$\m`TBmYp]pkHRCLPxUz&B~h!w= E]~/Yz-#@9x{"r8 Similar legislation is still waiting to be read in the senate. The second is House Bill 4722 . YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. endstream endobj 112 0 obj <. 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. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)AP. CEO and Executive Director Dan Gilmartin released a statement shortly after the bills passage calling it an attack on families and the communities they call home.. 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. Stephens said these bills are putting every city in the same boat. The Senate is scheduled to be on break until July 15, and the House is scheduled to be out until July 21. "Property owners have never been in a better position to maximize the value of their property," he said. Summary Documents . She can be reached at [emailprotected] or 517-908-0305. | Locals are using zoning to prevent nuisances she said. With more, Stephens worries that property values would skyrocket, benefiting a few property owners but making the city less affordable for everyone else. However, many Michigan residents and local officials are concerned that limiting municipalities ability to regulate rentals could have a negative impact on homeowners, communities, and businesses. 3 0 obj As of 2021, the rollout year for this new initiative, the city began maintaining an inventory of all residential rental properties within the city. The state legislators who introduced the bills did not respond to requests for comment. It [HB 4722] certainly is very restrictive to local governments with regards to short-term rentals in my opinion, he said. In short, lawmakers claiming the current bills wont take away local control is a false narrative, Rigterink said. The average Airbnb host in Michigan made $5,300 in 2020. Although the bills main focus is short term rentals, its language is not limited to short-term rentals alone. While action on SB 446 wasnt anticipated, the house bill was heavily pushed to be taken up throughout the day for a vote. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Careers const trinityScript = document.createElement('script'); 446, said the issue falls under private property protection. MML says Lansing outright prohibiting local government from banning STRs statewide is . 2021 . 137 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<2410CCDF02964846848770321587A500>]/Index[122 35]/Info 121 0 R/Length 79/Prev 158412/Root 123 0 R/Size 157/Type/XRef/W[1 2 1]>>stream They simply say municipalities cannot ban short-term rentals, but they explicitly say they can regulate them for noise, traffic, advertising, the number of occupants and "any other condition that may create a nuisance.". | "Without a definition that characterizes the short-term rental as a permitted residential use, you are left in that gray area," Westrin said. endstream endobj 123 0 obj <>/Metadata 9 0 R/Pages 120 0 R/StructTreeRoot 25 0 R/Type/Catalog/ViewerPreferences 138 0 R>> endobj 124 0 obj <>/MediaBox[0 0 612 792]/Parent 120 0 R/Resources<>/Font<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageB/ImageC/ImageI]/XObject<>>>/Rotate 0/StructParents 0/Tabs/S/Type/Page>> endobj 125 0 obj <>stream Summary of S.446 - 118th Congress (2023-2024): A bill to provide the President with authority to enter into certain plurilateral trade agreements with benefits only applying to signatories of those agreements, and for other purposes. Who gains from commercial interests getting full access to our residential homes for revenue generating short-term rentals? 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. House Bill 4722, along with its companion Senate Bill 446, has been making its way through the Legislature for several months. She wrote a letter arguing against both bills, saying eliminating zoning protections opens the door for mini hotels and would undermine the safety and culture of neighborhoods. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Legislation is moving through the house and senate seeking to stop Michigan communities from outright banning short-term rentals like Airbnb and VRBO. Copyright 2021 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. In 2020 on Airbnb alone, Michigan hosts made an average of $5300. "Airbnb was already in the process of becoming mainstream prior to the pandemic, but the pandemic really accelerated that," he said. East Lansing officials are very much opposed. <>/Metadata 67 0 R/ViewerPreferences 68 0 R>> The bills remove local governments' ability to outright. Site Map Two billsHouse Bill 4722 and Senate Bill 446would eliminate your township's ability to do so. Senate Bill 446, which mirrors HB 4722, has not been voted on in the Senate. This calamity is entirely avoidable, he said. Critics say the two bills Senate Bill 446, sponsored by Sen. Aric Nesbitt, R-Lawton; and House Bill 4722, sponsored by Sarah Lightner, R-Springport would strip local control over rentals made popular by sites like Airbnb and Vrbo. We implore the Senate to reject this rolling disaster headed to a neighborhood near you.. Among the states more than 1,200 townships, the league only found one with a ban in place. } After the early morning passage of the bill, Michigan Municipal League CEO and Executive Director Dan Gilmartin released a statement saying the only gains are for commercial interests and out-of-state business owners. ARIZONA, USA Arizona cities and towns may soon have more tools at their disposal to regulate short-term rental properties after the Senate passed SB 1379 . 156 0 obj <>stream What do you do when wolves are killing your livestock or pet dogs? var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], Passed Senate Jun 03, 2021. 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. For Councilor Haeussler, the prospect of the state of Michigan imposing a one-size-fits-all regulatory framework on municipalities is discouraging. HB 1209: Department of Economic Opportunity. Additionally, Rigterink takes issue with how the substitute handles zoning, saying allowing nuisance ordinances is a reactive instead of proactive solution to problems that may arise with renters. Brian Westrin, the general counsel with the Michigan Realtors Association, said it feels good to the homeowner, too. Concerns around rentals eating up an already low housing supply are also at the forefront, Gilmartin said. The people making decisions should be the people who live in your community.. A municipality could still limit the quantity of short-term rental units owned by an individual or restrict the total number of short-term rentals as a percentage of all residences. Airbnb's Senior Vice President of Policy says more and more people are driving from one part of Michigan to another, opting to vacation in a home with their immediate family and friends. Two bills House Bill 4722 and Senate Bill 446 would eliminate your township's ability to do so. Michigan residents deserve better. As currently written, House Bill 4722 and Senate Bill 446 would impede a local government's ability to inspect these mini-hotels to ensure they are being operated safely. Jennifer Rigterinkis a legislative associate for the League handling economic development, land use and municipal services issues. Last Action See all actions. Visit the FOX47News Website. After the Houses passage of HB 4722, the bill advanced to the Michigan Senate and was referred to the Committee on Regulatory Reform. "We're just. Toilet paper wasnt the only shortage caused by the pandemic. Our hotel industry had been hit really, really hard during COVID, she said. The bills will preempt your township's local zoning authority to regulate short-term rentals. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. East Lansing is different than Traverse City, its different than Detroit, right? Signed by Governor Oct 04, 2021. 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. The numbering of Senate bills starts at 1001, and the numbering of House bills starts at 2001. You and your community. Gilmartins statement continued. Box 568 Box 368, Houghton, MI 49931 | 906-482-1500, the rental of a single-family residence, a dwelling unit in a 1-to-4-family house, or any unit or group of units in a condominium, for terms of not more than 30 consecutive days., any other conditions that may create a nuisance., an attack on families and the communities they call home., Who gains from commercial interests getting full access to our residential homes for revenue generating short-term rentals? Want to see more local news? Regulate the practices of roofing contractors [ Show Long Title] To amend sections 4722.01, 4722.03, 4722.06, 4722.07, and 4722.08 and . These bills do a good job of recognizing that. Daniel Krason / Shutterstock.com. The legislation would create a new statewide zoning requirementthereby eliminating a townships ability to regulate any issues with nonowner-occupied residences rented on a short-term basisUNLESSthe same regulations are applied equally to all owner-occupied residences. The Michigan Municipal League, a nonprofit association of Michigan municipalities and municipal leaders, also expressed dissatisfaction with the bill. . Stephens said if these bills pass, everyone in the surrounding neighborhoods could be impacted. If House bill 4722 or Senate bill 446 pass, short-term rental rules would become the same in every district and East Lansing would need to allow them. The following bill formatting applies to the 2021-2022 session: - New language in an amendatory bill will be shown in bold - Language to be removed will be stricken. The way short-term rentals are defined in the substitutes still provide them protection from local regulation, she said. The city of Detroit quietly banned short-term rentals in residential areas before pulling back after an outcry. Passed Assembly Sep 02, 2021. They would be allowed.. js = d.createElement(s); The bills will preempt your township's local zoning authority to regulate short-term rentals. MTA outreach opposing preemption of local zoning over short-term rentals, 512 Westshire Dr. Lansing, MI 48917Phone: 517.321.6467 Fax: 517.321.8908, Health Coverage: Municipal Benefit Services, Joint press release in response to House committee reporting of HB 4722. I think people just use the best of both worlds., Related: Lawmakers look to stop cities from banning short-term rentals, but some say they add to housing shortage. 122 0 obj <> endobj Legislative Building. The Mackinac Center for Public Policy is a nonprofit research and educational institute that advances the principles of free markets and limited government. Donate Are we going to be able to hold landlords, whether its short-term or long-term, to some kind of baseline building maintenance code?. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Senate Bill 446, which mirrors HB 4722, has not been voted on in the Senate. Proponents of the bill say that its passage will help property owners earn extra income and will give tourists more lodging options. The League, along with our coalition partners, issued a letter Wednesday morning to House members urging them to not rush a vote on HB 4722. - Amendments made by the Senate will be red, such as: Senate amended text. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The bipartisan legislation, House Bill 4722 and Senate Bill 446, revisits an ongoing debate about local government control over short-term rentals. Haeussler was particularly critical of the language of the bill, which classifies a short-term rental as a residential use of property, rather than a commercial use. Local governments count on zoning to shape their communities and preserve the quality of life so important to their residents. <> trinityScript.src = 'https://trinitymedia.ai/player/trinity/2900010071/' + Copyright The Mining Gazette | https://www.mininggazette.com | P.O. Dene Westbrook, 2022 Michigan Municipal League LLC. hazards. if (!d.getElementById(id)) { 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). Latest Bill Text See all bill texts. In response, Lightner said the legislation added protections after hearing those concerns. In response to criticism, substitutes for the bills were added to narrow their scope. E@Ko +(Qrv7fL((J? stream In May, the Hancock City Council passed a resolution opposing HB 4722 and the similar Senate Bill 446. WHEREAS, Michigan Senate Bill 446 and its companion legislation House Bill 4722, seek to amend the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, to define a short-term rental as any rental of not more than 30 consecutive days as a residential use of the property that should be permitted in any area