Rental License and Inspection Requirements in Michigan

A Guide for Landlords in Oakland, Macomb, Wayne, Washtenaw, and Northern Michigan

If you own a rental property in Michigan, there is a good chance your city has rules you are expected to follow before you lease it.

The problem is, those rules are not consistent.

Some cities require inspections every time a tenant moves. Others require a rental license every few years. Some have no requirements at all. And in Northern Michigan, short term rental rules can change block by block.

Most landlords do not run into issues because they are doing something wrong. They run into issues because they missed one small municipal requirement.

Rental Management One handles this entire process for our clients, but if you are managing on your own, this guide will give you a clear starting point.

What Is a Rental License or Certificate of Compliance

Depending on the city, you might hear different terms:

• Rental License
• Certificate of Compliance
• Rental Registration
• Housing Certificate

They all mean the same thing.

The city wants to confirm the property is safe and meets local code before it is rented.

This usually includes:

• Interior or exterior inspection
• Registration with the city
• Ongoing renewals or re-inspections

Oakland County Rental Requirements

Oakland County is one of the most mixed areas in Michigan. Some cities are strict, others have no formal requirements.

Cities with Active Rental Requirements

• Royal Oak
  Requires inspection and a Certificate of Compliance before leasing
• Ferndale
  Inspection required at each change of tenancy
• Southfield
  Rental license required with inspections every 2 years
• Farmington Hills
  Registration and inspection every 3 years
• Madison Heights
  Inspection and registration required every 3 years
• Waterford
  Inspection required every 4 years
• Birmingham
  Rental registration and inspections required

Cities with Limited or No Known Requirements

• Troy
• Novi
• Bloomfield Township
• Rochester Hills

Even in these cities, it is still smart to verify before leasing. Requirements can change quickly.

Macomb County Rental Requirements

Macomb County tends to be more consistent, with several cities requiring ongoing inspections.

Cities with Active Requirements

• Clinton Township
  Inspection and registration every 2 years
• Roseville
  Inspection and compliance required every 3 years
• St. Clair Shores
  Rental certificate required every 3 years
• Warren
  Annual inspection and registration required

Cities with Limited or No Known Requirements

• Shelby Township
• Macomb Township

Washtenaw County Rental Requirements

Washtenaw County is one of the most regulated areas in Michigan.

Cities with Active Requirements

• Ann Arbor
  Certificate of Compliance required with inspections every 2 years
  One of the strictest enforcement cities in the state
• Ypsilanti Township
  Inspection and registration every 2 years
• Pittsfield Township
  Rental inspections and registration required

Wayne County Rental Requirements

Wayne County varies widely depending on the city.

Cities with Active Requirements

• Livonia
  Inspection and registration required prior to occupancy
• Westland
  Certificate of Compliance required
• Dearborn Heights
  Inspection required at change of tenancy
• Canton Township
  Inspection required when tenants change
• Taylor
  Inspection required every 3 years

Cities with Limited or No Known Requirements

• Plymouth
• Northville

Northern Michigan Short Term Rental Requirements

If you own or are considering a vacation rental, this is where things get more complex.

Short term rental rules are heavily regulated and vary by township, not just city.

Areas That Allow Short Term Rentals with Permits

• Traverse City
  Requires licensing, inspections, and has strict caps
• Garfield Township
  Permit required
• Elmwood Township
  Licensing and inspections required

Areas That Are Highly Restricted

• Glen Arbor
  Limited availability and strict zoning
• Leland
  Many areas restrict or prohibit short term rentals

In Northern Michigan, it is critical to verify zoning before purchasing or converting a property.

Why This Matters for Landlords

If you lease a property without the required registration or inspection, you can run into:

• Fines and penalties
• Delays placing tenants
• Lease enforcement issues
• Problems during eviction
• Insurance complications

And most of the time, it is something simple that was missed.

Final Thoughts

Rental compliance is not complicated once you know the rules. The challenge is that every city has different ones.

If you are managing your own property, this is something you need to stay on top of.

If you would rather not track inspections, licenses, renewals, and city communication, that is exactly what we handle for our clients.

Need Help With Rental Compliance?

Rental Management One manages properties across Southeast Michigan and Northern Michigan and handles all rental registration and inspection requirements as part of our service.

If you want to make sure your property is set up correctly before leasing, schedule a quick call and we will walk through it with you.