Detroit, Michigan Short Term Rental Regulations

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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson

Last updated August 23, 2023

Detroit Short-Term Rental Regulations

Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.

City Code of Ordinances

Detroit plans to regulate short-term rentals, and the proposed regulations would allow short-term rentals to operate for 90 days. Only one short-term rental (on a first-come, first-served basis) will be allowed per every 1,000 linear feet. No more than 10 people are allowed at once in a short-term rental, regardless of the property size. Currently, Detroit is planning a resolution opposing Michigan House Bill 4722 and Senate Bill 0466 (2021) Restricting Local Control of Short-Term Rentals.  Do your due diligence and consult a local lawyer or tax professional. Ordinances and Zoning are subject to changes and should always be confirmed with the City of Detroit. Consult the following:

Business License Requirements

Short-term rentals might need a business license. Please confirm with the City of Detroit for clarification.

Building and Housing Standards

Worcester has rules and regulations that specify minimum building, design, maintenance standards, habitability, health, and safety requirements. Some rules and regulations that apply to residential and non-residential properties may apply to your listing.  Consult the Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department for more information.

Tourist and Local Taxes

Short-term rentals might also be subjected to the city, state, and county sales tax and are liable for payment as established by the city, state and county law.

Other Rules

It is also essential to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo boards, co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable. Visit the City of Detroit for more information.
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  • Short Term City Rating
    5.7
  • Competition

    3.0
  • Real Estate Cost

    9.3
  • STR Regulations

    N/A
  • Seasonality

    6.4
  • Rental Rates

    4.0

Detroit, Michigan Quick Stats

Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.

Population
639,111
STR License Required
Yes
Tourist Season
County
Wayne
Airports
Windsor International Airport (YQG)
Coleman A. Young International Airport (DET)
Review our Detroit Michigan short-term rental analytics guide, including rates, property types and other metrics

Want to learn more about Detroit?

Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.

Check out our Detroit rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Detroit rental market.

City Activities

Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Detroit.

City Attractions

The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.

Detroit Rental Rates & Fees

Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.

Property Types & Sizes

What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Detroit guests.

Interested in other Michigan cities?

Check out the Michigan short term rental regulations directory 

What makes Detroit a great place to invest?

  • Rich Automotive History: Detroit, Michigan is the birthplace of America's automotive industry and is home to the world-famous Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village. Visitors can explore the rich history of American innovation and manufacturing, marvel at vintage vehicles and exhibits, and experience the lives of famous inventors, including Thomas Edison and the Wright Brothers.
  • Motown Sound: Music lovers will delight in visiting the Motown Museum, where the legendary Motown Records was founded. Step back in time and immerse yourself in the soulful tunes that helped shape the soundtrack of America. Detroit's vibrant live music scene continues to thrive, with venues hosting a variety of genres from jazz and blues to electronic and rock.
  • Bustling Food and Drink Scene: Detroit's culinary landscape is as diverse as its people, offering an eclectic mix of trendy eateries, gastropubs, and fine dining establishments. Explore the city's rich food history, from classic Coney Island hot dogs to unique fusion cuisine, and sample craft beers at some of the best local breweries.
  • Outdoor Adventures: Detroit's riverfront and numerous parks offer a wealth of outdoor activities, such as biking, kayaking, and fishing. Belle Isle Park, a beautiful island park on the Detroit River, features a variety of attractions, including the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, the Belle Isle Aquarium, and the James Scott Memorial Fountain.
  • Sports Galore: Sports enthusiasts will appreciate Detroit's passionate fan base and the opportunity to catch a game at one of the city's iconic stadiums. Home to four professional sports teams, the Detroit Lions (NFL), Detroit Tigers (MLB), Detroit Red Wings (NHL), and Detroit Pistons (NBA), visitors can enjoy a year-round calendar of thrilling events.

Detroit Nearby Cities

Local Real Estate

How expensive is the real estate in Detroit?

The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Detroit has decreased -5% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $157, which is lower than the national average.

Median Sale Price

$207,932

-5% YoY

Median per Square Foot

$157

4% YoY

Average Monthly Rent

$1,469

2% YoY

Property Descriptions

The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Detroit, Michigan

Word Cloud for Detroit, Michigan Short Term Rentals

Common terms for Detroit short term rental listings.

When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.

Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:

  • Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
  • Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
  • Informative: The average listing in Detroit has a description approximately 1,286 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.

After reviewing more than 3,894 listings in Detroit, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Detroit, Place, Downtown Detroit, Spacious, Perfect, City, Modern, Downtown, Beautiful, and Comfortable.

What are the most popular tourist activities in Detroit?

Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Detroit involve going to the City Centre, Museums, Casinos, the Zoo, and the Health Spa. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.

City Centre

Museums

Casinos

Zoo

Health Spa

Adventure Activities

Boating

Cycling

Outlet Shopping

Ice Skating

Swimming

Antiquing

Local Attractions

What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?

There are quite a few popular attractions in Detroit, including Comerica Park, Ford Field, MGM Grand Detroit Casino, Little Caesars Arena, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.

Regional Landmark

Detroit Institute of Arts

Included on 64% of listings

Regional Landmark

Wayne State University

Included on 64% of listings

Regional Landmark

Masonic Temple

Included on 64% of listings

Well Known Attraction

MotorCity Casino

Included on 63% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Comerica Park

Included on 63% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Ford Field

Included on 62% of listings

Well Known Attraction

MGM Grand Detroit Casino

Included on 62% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Fox Theatre

Included on 62% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Little Caesars Arena

Included on 62% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Detroit Riverwalk

Included on 61% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Huntington Place

Included on 61% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Hollywood Casino at Greektown

Included on 60% of listings

What’s the weather like in Detroit, Michigan?

The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 58°, while the average low is about 44°. It has normal rainfall, averaging about 24 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 16 inches per year. The humidity levels in Detroit are generally lower than the national average, and the city tends to be a bit cloudy for most of the year.

Winter

December through February

24° Low 35° High

Precipitation
2.9"
Snowfall
12.5"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
61%

Spring

March through May

41° Low 58° High

Precipitation
6.2"
Snowfall
3.5"
Muggy Days
1.2 days
Cloudiness
53%

Summer

June through August

64° Low 81° High

Precipitation
7.8"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
25.8 days
Cloudiness
37%

Fall

September through November

46° Low 61° High

Precipitation
6.7"
Snowfall
0.4"
Muggy Days
4.3 days
Cloudiness
43%