Rental Rules by City / Michigan / Mackinac Island
Mackinac Island short-term rental rules & tax calculator
📋 The Basics
- Can I rent my place short-term here?
- Yes, with a license or tax registration
- Do I need a permit?
- Yes, with a city rental unit license.
- What taxes do I pay?
- Total about 6%. Check your Airbnb payout report to see which ones Airbnb collects; you pay the rest yourself.
Your 3 steps to be legal
- Apply with the City Clerk.
- Pass inspection and name a local agent.
- Register for Michigan use tax.
⚠️ Biggest risk: Renting without a city license.
Words confusing? See the glossary. Details and official sources are below.
Tax calculator
Rates used: Michigan use tax (lodging) 6% = 6%. Mandatory cleaning fees are included in the taxable total. Michigan 6% use tax. City 2% room tax applies to 10+ room establishments; other local fees: verify.
What Airbnb collects: Verify in payouts which taxes your platform remits.
Advanced details (laws, fees, sources)
Rules
| License | City rental unit license for any overnight rental (homes, apartments, B&Bs); inspection, local year-round agent, posted evacuation plan. Expires May 1, not transferable. |
|---|---|
| Fees | 2026 city fee schedule: verify the rental fee with the City Clerk. |
Items marked "Verify with the city" could not be confirmed from an official source; call the office listed before relying on them.
Sources
Free tools
Free "Is my rental legal?" checklist · Free tourist tax calculator
Rules can change
Mackinac Island's rules, its tax rates and platform policies can change through a council vote, a new state law or a court ruling, often with little notice to hosts. We re-check this page monthly; subscribers get notified. Stay Compliant for $4.99/mo.
Want it done for you?
Get a personalized STR Compliance Check ($49) for your exact address in any US city: the permits, registrations and tax accounts you need, with official sources, delivered by email in 48 business hours. Not legal advice.
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Stay Compliant: $4.99/month
Rules, tax rates and Airbnb/Vrbo policies can change without warning, and hosts who miss a change can be fined. Get alerts when your city, county or state changes, deadline reminders, a pending-bill watch list and a monthly host brief (even in quiet months: "we checked on [date]; no changes"). Compare plans.
By paying, you agree to our Terms and Refund Policy.
Not legal or tax advice. Last verified Oct 24, 2026. Rules and rates change: confirm with the official sources linked before you rent or file.