Short term rentals (STR) were back as a large topic of discussion during Cleveland Township’s September regular meeting along with the emergency services budget.
While all 36 STR permits available have already been granted, zoning administrator Scott Sheehan reported that 16 additional STR properties have been caught violating the town ordinance on short term rentals by not being registered. While these violators will be fined, the property owners are allowed to finish out the rental season.
To address the issue, Supervisor Tim Stein proposed raising the township’s rental cap from 33% (36 units) to 4% (45 units). Stein cited that other tourist destination townships such as South Haven give STR permits to one in four households, equaling a 20% cap. The board seemed in favor of the idea and will revisit the proposal at its November meeting.
