Can You Airbnb a House in Cheboygan County? Short-Term Rental Rules to Know Before You Buy

Thinking about buying a vacation rental in Cheboygan County, Michigan? Whether you’re looking at a lake house on Mullett Lake or Burt Lake, a cabin near Indian River, a waterfront home near Cheboygan, or a property close to Mackinaw City, one of the first questions you should answer is:

Can I legally use this property as a short-term rental?

For buyers planning to use Airbnb, VRBO, or another vacation rental platform, this question should be answered before you buy the property—not after you close.

Cheboygan County is generally considered a vacation-rental-friendly area, but that does not mean every property can automatically be used as an Airbnb.

The answer can depend on:

The property’s exact location
Which township or municipality has zoning authority
The property’s zoning district
Local short-term rental rules
Occupancy and septic limitations
Existing permits
HOA rules
Condominium documents
Deed restrictions and private covenants

This guide is designed to help prospective vacation rental buyers understand the most important Cheboygan County short-term rental rules and the due diligence you should complete before purchasing.

Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Cheboygan County?

For properties governed by Cheboygan County Zoning Ordinance No. 200, the answer is generally yes. The ordinance states that short-term rentals are permitted uses in all zoning districts governed by the county ordinance. The county’s zoning authority covers most of Cheboygan County, but there are important exceptions.

However, this is where many vacation rental buyers make a mistake.

Don’t stop after reading that STRs are allowed in Cheboygan County.

You still need to determine whether the specific property falls under:

Cheboygan County zoning
Burt Township zoning
City of Cheboygan zoning
Village of Mackinaw City zoning
Village of Wolverine zoning

Cheboygan County specifically identifies these jurisdictions as having separate zoning authority from the county.

That means a home with a Cheboygan County mailing address may be subject to very different short-term rental rules than a property just a few miles away.

The Most Important Step: Identify the Property’s Exact Jurisdiction

Before you make an offer on a Northern Michigan vacation rental, ask:

Which government actually controls zoning for this parcel?

Do not rely solely on:

The mailing address
The MLS description
What the seller says
A property being advertised as an Airbnb
The fact that neighboring homes are vacation rentals

Cheboygan County itself advises that its online zoning map is not the official zoning determination and recommends contacting Planning & Zoning for confirmation of a specific property’s zoning.

Before buying, get:

The parcel number
The exact township or municipality
The zoning district
Written confirmation of the property’s current STR eligibility

This should be one of the first steps in your vacation rental due diligence.

Buying an Airbnb in a Cheboygan County Township

Most townships in Cheboygan County fall under the county’s zoning authority, with Burt Township as a notable exception. Under the county ordinance, short-term rentals are generally permitted uses in all zoning districts.

This can create excellent opportunities for buyers considering vacation rental properties near:

Mullett Lake
Indian River
Topinabee
Black Lake
Lake Huron
Inland lakes and recreational properties
Snowmobile and ORV trail areas

But there is another important step:

Always check with the individual township.

Even when county zoning governs the property’s primary land use, buyers should verify whether there are additional local requirements or ordinances affecting vacation rentals.

Ask the township:

Does this township have any short-term rental registration, licensing, occupancy, parking, nuisance, or other requirements that apply to this property?

Local governments may address issues involving parking, occupancy, septic systems, noise, trash, and neighborhood impacts.

The key takeaway:

County rules are only one layer of your research.

A smart buyer checks:

County → Township → Property Restrictions → HOA

Burt Township Short-Term Rental Rules

Burt Township has its own zoning authority, which means you should not assume that the general Cheboygan County zoning rules automatically apply.

This is particularly important for buyers considering a vacation home around Burt Lake, one of Northern Michigan’s most desirable vacation rental markets.

Before purchasing a Burt Lake vacation rental, contact the township directly and verify:

Is short-term rental use allowed?
Is registration required?
Are inspections required?
Are there occupancy limits?
Are there parking requirements?
Does the property meet current safety requirements?
Are there proposed ordinance changes?

Important for buyers:

Don’t base your purchase decision on an Airbnb listing alone. Verify the property’s eligibility under the current township rules before closing.

City of Cheboygan Airbnb and Short-Term Rental Rules

The City of Cheboygan has separate short-term rental regulations—and they are significantly different from the broader county rules.

The City has updated its STR program. Under the current framework, short-term rentals are not permitted in residential zoning districts, and the total number of STRs allowed in the City is capped at 12. Eligible properties must apply for a permit and complete the required approval process. If the cap is reached, applicants may be placed on a waiting list.

If you’re buying a vacation rental in the City of Cheboygan, ask:

What is the property’s zoning?
Is it in an eligible district?
Are STR permits currently available?
Is the 12-property cap full?
Is there a waiting list?
Does an existing permit transfer to a new owner?
Does the property need an inspection?

Bottom line:

A property being marketed as a “successful Airbnb” in the City of Cheboygan does not automatically mean you can continue operating it after you purchase it.

Verify the current permit status before you make your investment decision.

Mackinaw City Short-Term Rental Rules

The Village of Mackinaw City has its own zoning authority and short-term rental regulations separate from Cheboygan County.

This is especially important because Mackinaw City is one of Northern Michigan’s strongest tourism markets.

A property may be close to:

The Mackinac Bridge
Mackinac Island ferries
Downtown Mackinaw City
Restaurants and attractions

…and still not qualify for short-term rental use depending on its zoning.

Before buying a vacation rental in Mackinaw City, verify:

The exact zoning district
Whether STRs are currently permitted
Whether a license or permit is required
Whether occupancy limits apply
Whether an existing rental approval transfers to a new owner

Tourist demand does not equal vacation rental approval.

Don’t Forget Village of Wolverine

The Village of Wolverine also maintains separate zoning authority from Cheboygan County.

If you’re considering a property in or near Wolverine, confirm the exact parcel location and governing authority before assuming the county’s STR rules apply.

The HOA Question: Can an HOA Ban Short-Term Rentals?

Yes—and this is one of the biggest risks for vacation rental buyers.

You may verify that:

✅ Cheboygan County allows STRs✅ The zoning district allows STRs✅ The township has no restrictions

…and still discover that the HOA or deed restrictions prohibit Airbnb or VRBO rentals.

Private restrictions can be just as important as local government regulations.

Before purchasing, review:

HOA declarations
HOA bylaws
Rules and regulations
Rental policies
Condominium documents
Recorded deed restrictions
Covenants and restrictions
Association meeting minutes

Pay close attention to language like:

“No commercial use”
“Single-family residential use only”
“Minimum rental period”
“No transient occupancy”
“No rentals under 30 days”
“No rentals under seven days”
“Association approval required”

Even if the documents don’t specifically say Airbnb, they may still restrict short-term rentals.

This can change, too.

A current example in Cheboygan County illustrates why buyers should review not only existing HOA documents but also recent association activity: Cordwood Point Association has advised prospective buyers interested in renting to proceed with caution while members consider changes to its declaration of restrictions affecting short-term rentals.

Ask for HOA meeting minutes.

This is one of the most overlooked steps in vacation rental due diligence.

The association may be actively discussing new restrictions—even if the current rules still allow short-term rentals.

“The Seller Has It on Airbnb” Is Not Enough

This is another common mistake.

A seller may say:

“We’ve been renting this on Airbnb for years.”

That does not necessarily guarantee that you can do the same.

Before buying, ask:

Is the property currently permitted or registered?

Request copies.

Does the permit transfer to the new owner?

Some permits do not.

Is the property grandfathered?

If so, ask what happens when ownership changes.

Has the property ever received a violation?

Ask the seller and verify with the appropriate government office if possible.

Is the property legally operating at its advertised occupancy?

A listing may say “Sleeps 14,” but that does not necessarily mean the septic system, local regulations, or approved bedroom count support 14 overnight guests.

Septic, Occupancy, and Bedrooms: Don’t Build Your Revenue Analysis on Assumptions

This is particularly important for older cabins and waterfront homes throughout Northern Michigan.

Before calculating potential Airbnb income, verify:

Septic capacity
Number of legal bedrooms
Maximum occupancy
Fire and safety requirements
Parking capacity
Shoreline restrictions
Access and private road limitations

If you’re planning improvements—such as adding bedrooms, a bunk room, a Murphy bed, or other sleeping areas—make sure those improvements will not create occupancy or septic issues.

County regulations and related land-use requirements may still affect improvements and property operations even where short-term rental use itself is permitted.

Cheboygan County Vacation Rental Buyer Checklist

Before buying a vacation rental in Cheboygan County, complete these steps.

1. Verify the Exact Parcel Location

Get:

Property address
Parcel number
Township
Municipality

2. Determine Who Controls Zoning

Is the property governed by:

Cheboygan County?
Burt Township?
City of Cheboygan?
Village of Mackinaw City?
Village of Wolverine?

3. Verify Short-Term Rental Eligibility

Ask the zoning authority:

“Is this specific parcel currently eligible to operate as a short-term rental?”

Cheboygan County specifically recommends contacting Planning & Zoning for an official zoning determination rather than relying on the online map alone.

4. Contact the Individual Township

Ask whether there are additional:

Registration requirements
Permits
Occupancy limits
Parking requirements
Noise rules
Nuisance rules

5. Review HOA and Deed Restrictions

Request every governing document before your inspection contingency expires.

6. Review HOA Meeting Minutes

Look for discussions about:

Airbnb
VRBO
Vacation rentals
Rental restrictions
Proposed amendments

7. Verify Septic and Occupancy

Make sure your revenue projections are based on a legal and realistic guest capacity.

8. Verify Existing STR Permits

If the home is currently operating as a vacation rental, ask:

“What happens to the STR approval when the property is sold?”

9. Get Important Answers in Writing

When rental income is part of the reason you’re buying the property, verbal assurances aren’t enough.

The Best Question to Ask Before Buying a Vacation Rental in Cheboygan County

Instead of asking:

“Are Airbnbs allowed in Cheboygan County?”

Ask:

“Can I legally operate this specific property as a short-term rental, at my planned occupancy, under the current county, township, municipal, HOA, and deed restrictions?”

That question can save you from making a very expensive mistake.

Thinking About Buying a Vacation Rental in Cheboygan County?

Cheboygan County offers some excellent opportunities for vacation rental ownership—from lakefront homes on Mullett Lake and Burt Lake to cabins near Indian River, waterfront homes near Lake Huron, and tourism-driven properties near Mackinaw City.

But every property should be evaluated individually.

At Water & Woods Vacation Rentals, we believe a good vacation rental investment starts before you buy.

A property may look perfect on paper, but the real questions are:

Can it legally operate as a vacation rental?
How many guests can it realistically accommodate?
Are there HOA restrictions?
What amenities could increase its revenue potential?
What could it realistically earn in this specific Northern Michigan market?

The goal isn’t just to find a beautiful Up North property.

It’s to find one that can legally operate, compete in its market, and generate the income you expect.