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Village of Bear Lake

Village of Bear LakeVillage of Bear LakeVillage of Bear Lake

Village of Bear Lake

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    • Government
      • Village Council
      • Village Meeting Schedule
      • Village Meeting Minutes
      • Village Staff
      • Village Financial Reports
      • Planning Commission
      • Planning Meeting Schedule
      • Planning Meeting Minutes
      • Documents and Reports
      • Ordinances/Resolutions/Po
      • Short Term Rentals
      • FOIA Info / Forms
      • Blight Info / Reporting
      • Zoning / Code Enforcement
      • Jobs / Volunteer
    • Hopkins Park
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    • Activities
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  • Home
  • Government
    • Village Council
    • Village Meeting Schedule
    • Village Meeting Minutes
    • Village Staff
    • Village Financial Reports
    • Planning Commission
    • Planning Meeting Schedule
    • Planning Meeting Minutes
    • Documents and Reports
    • Ordinances/Resolutions/Po
    • Short Term Rentals
    • FOIA Info / Forms
    • Blight Info / Reporting
    • Zoning / Code Enforcement
    • Jobs / Volunteer
  • Hopkins Park
  • Events
  • Activities
  • History
  • Contact Us

Short Term Rental (STR) Information

Welcome!

Please see the information below pertaining to Short Term Rentals in the Village if you are thinking about using your property for short term renting. 

Short Term Rental Ordinance 2024-3

The Planning Commission and Village Council developed the Short-Term Rental Ordinance with the following goals in mind:


  • Allowing property owners located in the two zones of the Village Zoning Ordinance to welcome tourists to the Village and the beauty of Bear Lake and surrounding areas.
  • Develop the downtown area by providing improved opportunities for Village business owners and attracting new businesses.  
  • Maintaining the small-town charm of the Village for seasonal and year- round property owners by limiting the number of Short- Term Rental licenses issued in each of the districts and ensuring adequate space between lots allowed as short- term rentals.
  • Establishing requirements for property owners and short-term renters that emphasize safety, respect for neighbors and compliance with all Village ordinances. 


Please review the Village's Short Term Rental Ordinance 2024-3 which can be found here.

Short Term Rental Zoning

This section will cover the zoning restrictions for Short Term Rentals within the Village of Bear Lake. Please review the items below:


  • Short term rentals are only allowed in the 'Multiple Use 1' and 'Downtown Business Overlay' zoning districts of the Village. (See zoning map below)
  • There are a maximum number of two Short Term Rentals allowed in each of the two zoning districts listed above.
  • There are must be at least two lots (properties) between each Short Term Rental within a zoning istrict.


Please refer to the Village zoning map below for zoning district boundaries. 

Village of Bear Lake Zoning Map

Application Process and Downloads

Below you will find three downloadable documents relating to the application process and requirements of the Short Term Rental program. 


The submission date to apply for a new license or renew an existing license for the following year is October 1st - December 31st.

  • STR License Application: This document is intended for initial requests for a Short Term Rental license.
  • STR License Renewal Application: This document is intended to renew an existing Short Term Rental license.
  • Good Neighbor Policy: This document must be displayed in a conspicuous place inside the rental property where all occupants can view it.  

STR License Application (pdf)

Download

STR License Renewal Application (pdf)

Download

Good Neighbor Policy (pdf)

Download

Questions about the Village of Bear Lake Short Term Rental program? Please contact the Village Clerk at clerk@villageofbearlakemi.gov.


The Village of Bear Lake Short Term Rental Administrator is the Manistee County Planning Department   and they can be contacted by phone at 231-723-6041 or email at planning@manisteecountymi.gov  

Village of Bear Lake

12016 Russell Street P.O. Box 175, Bear Lake, Michigan 49614, United States

Copyright © 2024 Village of Bear Lake - All Rights Reserved.

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

US 31 ROAD WORK 7/13-10/30/26

The MI Dept of Transportation will begin rebuilding

US-31 through Bear Lake around 7/13/26 with  completion likely by 10/30/26. For more information, see the notice under Government and then Documents. 

BRUSH PICKUP SCHEDULE 2026

Brush will be picked up on the following dates:: 

August 6, September 10

October 8

Please make sure all brush is piled neatly at the curb with the cut ends facing the street.

Go to Village Schedule