Whitehall Short-Term Rental Rules & Airbnb Laws (2026)
Whitehall has no STR-specific ordinance yet. STRs operate under the general rental ordinance (Chapter 67) with a council-set fee, but the council began drafting dedicated STR rules in September 2025 — register early to maximize grandfathering odds.
Status: No STR ordinance yet. County: Muskegon County. Whole-home STRs: Yes — under the general rental ordinance (no STR-specific ordinance). Caps: None today; STR ordinance in draft as of Sept 2025. Annual cost: Council-set fee — confirm with clerk (231-894-4048). Lodging taxes: 11% (6% state + 5% Muskegon County).
Investor takeaway: Whitehall is a move-fast-and-register play on affordable White Lake before the ordinance in draft becomes law.
Last verified July 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice — confirm current requirements directly with the municipality before purchasing.
Whitehall at a glance
- Status
- No STR ordinance yet
- County
- Muskegon County
- Whole-home STRs
- Yes — under the general rental ordinance (no STR-specific ordinance)
- Cap / waitlist status
- None today; STR ordinance in draft as of Sept 2025
- Annual cost
- Council-set fee — confirm with clerk (231-894-4048)
- Lodging taxes
- 11% (6% state + 5% Muskegon County)
- Whitehall status
- No STR-specific ordinance yet; register under general rental ordinance (Ch. 67); fee set by council — confirm with clerk (231-894-4048)
- Coming rules
- Council began drafting an STR ordinance in Sept 2025 considering annual inspections, neighbor notification, possible caps, and owner-occupancy preferences. Nothing adopted as of latest verifiable records — confirm current status before buying.
- Fines
- Up to $500/day under the general code
- Neighboring city
- Montague, across White Lake, is a separate government with its own STR rules — confirm which side of the line your target parcel sits on
- Lodging taxes
- 6% Michigan state + 5% Muskegon County (self-remitted) = 11%
Whitehall — open today, uncertain tomorrow
Whitehall has no STR-specific ordinance as of the latest verifiable records. STRs operate under the general rental ordinance (Chapter 67), with a fee set annually by the council — call the clerk at 231-894-4048 to confirm the current amount. Enforcement under the general code allows fines up to $500 per day.
In September 2025 the council began drafting an STR ordinance. Concepts under consideration include annual inspections, neighbor notification, possible caps, and owner-occupancy preferences. Nothing has been adopted, but the direction is clear. The defensive move: register early under the general rental program, remit both the state and county lodging taxes cleanly, and maximize your odds of being grandfathered when the new rules land.
Taxes
Whitehall falls inside Muskegon County, so total lodging tax is 11% — the 6% Michigan state use tax plus the 5% Muskegon County accommodation tax. Airbnb collects the state portion automatically; the county tax must be self-remitted.
Frequently asked questions
Is Whitehall open to STRs right now?
Yes, under the generic rental registration in Chapter 67 — but the council began drafting a dedicated STR ordinance in September 2025. Register early and remit taxes cleanly to maximize your grandfathering odds.
How is Whitehall different from Montague?
Montague is certain but day-capped at 120 rented days a year. Whitehall is currently unrestricted but the rules are being drafted right now — certainty vs. flexibility, take your pick.
What are the lodging taxes?
Whitehall is in Muskegon County: 6% Michigan state use tax plus a 5% county accommodation tax = 11% total. The state portion is collected by Airbnb automatically; the county portion is self-remitted.
Investor takeaway
Whitehall is a move-fast-and-register play on affordable White Lake before the ordinance in draft becomes law.
Sources
Last verified July 2026. General information, not legal advice — confirm current requirements with the municipality before purchasing.
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