Planning commission discussing proposed STR changes

The Laketown Township Planning Commission will review proposed changes to the short-term rental rules at its meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the township hall, 4338 Beeline Road.

If the commission agrees to the changes, the proposal will be sent to the township board of trustees for action at its May 13 meeting. The board could adopt it, reject it or send it back for changes.

The proposal deals with the zoning ordinance only, that is, the basic guidelines that define short-term rentals and where they will be allowed. More specific regulations, such as noise and parking, and enforcement, including possible ticketing and fines, will be handled after the zoning is determined.

For a copy of the proposed changes, click here.

The proposal

All new stand-alone short-term rentals in all residential zoning districts are prohibited in the draft proposal before the planning commission. Currently existing registered, licensed stand-alone short-term rentals are allowed to continue operation.

Township officials have said most complaints come from stand-alone rentals with no on-site supervision, so the new rules address that by having the homeowner live on the property.

All short-term rentals in the AG Agricultural District are prohibited.

In R-1 Rural Estate District and R-1.5 Very Low Density Residential District, the proposal allows short-term rental use in an attached or detached accessory dwelling unit.

An attached accessory dwelling unit is a room or set of rooms in a single-family dwelling that has been designed or configured to be used as a separate dwelling unit and is subordinate in size to the principal dwelling unit on the same lot. The owner lives in the house.

A detached accessory dwelling unit is a room or set of rooms in a separate building that has been configured to be used as a separate dwelling unit and is subordinate in size to the principal dwelling unit on the same lot. They generally include living, sleeping, kitchen, and bathroom facilities and have a lockable entrance door. The owner lives in the main house on the lot.

Only one unit may be rented. 

In R-2 Low Density Residential District, and R-3 Medium Density Residential District, short-term rentals are an allowed use in an attached accessory dwelling unit only.

Only one unit may be rented. 

In MU Mixed-Use District, short-term rentals are an allowed use in the primary dwelling unit, or an attached accessory dwelling unit.  Only one unit may be rented. 

The planning commission needs to decide a limit on the number of people allowed on the property at any time.

Background

The planning commission heard from residents in April during a public hearing when more than a dozen people discussed short-term rentals. Residents talked about noise, traffic and trespassing linked to short-term rentals. Residents also said the township needs better enforcement of the rules.  Additionally, residents have said that there might be 10 people staying at a short-term rental, which is also hosting a party with 40 or more people on the premises.

After the hearing, the commission instructed the township attorney to update the proposed rules for the May meeting.

In May 2025, the township enacted a moratorium on all free-standing short-term rentals until June 30, 2026.

A special joint committee made up of the entire township board and planning commission met four times starting in August 2025to gather information and collect public input about rentals. That special committee wrapped up its work and dissolved on Nov. 5, passing the responsibility for changes to the planning commission.

The meeting

The discussion on May 6 is not a public hearing. Residents may comment during the time noted on the agenda. The agenda is available here.

Zoom is available. For directions, visit here.