By Barb Pert Templeton
The Algonac City Council has introduced a new Short-Term Rental Ordinance hoping to set rules that will ensure short term rentals remain safe, well-maintained and respectful to residents. The new ordinance will be part of Chapter 10 Buildings and Building Regulations in the city code.
During public comments at the beginning of the city council’s Aug. 19 meeting, Algonac resident Robert Scruggs stated that he’d had a chance to read the proposed ordinance, he said it was a “a good first start but it lacks a lot of detail.”
Members of the Algonac City Council discussed the introduction of a Short-Term Rental Ordinance at an Aug. 19 meeting.
He told city officials that there are several municipalities in Michigan than outright ban Short- Term Rentals and then mentioned Ann Arbor, Holland, Traverse City, and New Haven as being just of few of those cities.
Scruggs said in reading the draft of the new ordinance he felt it left out a few details, like the fact that the city is located near the water and added that there’s no mention of boating, or boating restrictions or parking of boats on the canals.
“Please don’t get me wrong I’m not against Airbnb I just think we need some restrictions,” Scruggs said. “I’m not unhappy with the city manager I think she’s done a good job and same thing with the mayor”
Scruggs than told officials that he thinks someone beyond the city attorney should look at the ordinance and review it.
After the mayor read the item into the agenda Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Davey made the motion to approve the introduction of the ordinance.
“A bunch of people have been asking about this and I think this is a really good start to getting a handle on this and should we see that there are other issues that need to be addressed then we can take a look at it again,” Davey said. “This is a good must needed start to this.”
Mayor Rocky Gillis concurred with Davye’s assessment of this situation.
Councilman Jake Skarbek said personally he feels that in real estate the city’s job is not to restrict but to regulate. He added that to say someone cannot buy a property as an investment, well he disagrees with that 100 percent.
“But I do agree with this 100 percent because if you look on Airbnb right now there are so many homes that didn’t get the permits or have the proper procedures so doing this will definitely help stop it,” Skarbek said.
“I know our beautiful water makes people think we’re all on vacation but while some of you are on vacation some of us have to work tomorrow,” Gillis laughed.
He added that the portion of the ordinance that noted mandatory parking is a major plus for the ordinance.
“It’s a good ordinance,” Councilwoman Cathy Harris commented.
The council then unanimously approved the introduction of the new ordinance.
Portions of the new ordinance include the following. To see the ordinance in it’s entirely visit: cityofalgonac.org
Ordinance #2025-04
Section 10-351. — Purpose. Whereas the City’s riverfront location and international border crossing make it a desirable community for vacation and short-term rental properties; and whereas numerous short-term rentals have already been established within it, the City of Algonac seeks to regulate their use. The intent of this ordinance is to permit short-term rentals while maintaining the health, safety, and welfare of the general community and neighboring residents. In order to ensure that short-term rentals are not detrimental to the community or to individual neighborhoods, the city seeks to ensure that all short-term rentals are registered; that they do not dominate any particular neighborhood or area; and that they are maintained in a safe, secure manner.
Section 10-352. — Definitions. The following words, terms, and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Short-Term Rental. A single-family dwelling unit, excluding a manufactured home or mobile home located within a manufactured housing or mobile home park, offered for lodging on a fee basis for a period not-to-exceed one hundred-eighty (180) days.
All renters of short-term rental units in Algonac are advised of the following:
1. This unit is subject to the Algonac Noise Ordinance, City Code §18-82, et seq.
2. This unit is located in a residential neighborhood, and the neighbors may not be vacationing. 3. Neighboring property owners or tenants may contact the local agent of this vacation rental or the St. Clair County Sheriff to report any potential issues relating to the use of this property.
