Rental Certification & Licensing Guide


House ImageThe City of Holland offers several types of certificates and licenses for different types of rental activities. Use the descriptions below to determine what kind of license and, or certificate you need. Includes: Monthly / Annual, Roomers & Boarders, Hotel / Motel, Bed & Breakfast, and Short Term Rentals.

Rental Certificate of Compliance for:

Monthly / Annual lease - This is a home that is offered for rent using a monthly or yearly lease. The property is occupied by the same person or group of people for a minimum of 30 days. A Rental Certificate of Compliance is required. There is an annual fee, and an inspection every 3 years. Learn more about the Rental Housing Program.

Boarders– When a property owner rents 1 room in their dwelling unit to a single boarder in addition to rooms occupied by a single family. Compliance with Section 39-9.11 Boarders is required prior to renting a room.

Public Lodging License for:

Hotel / Motel– A building or structure where one or more rooms are made available to travelers / non-residents. Allowed in some commercial zones. An annual inspection and Public Lodging License are required. Click on the links below for more information about Hotels & Motels.

Bed & Breakfast– An owner occupied single family home, where guest rooms are made available to travelers / non-residents. Located in residential zones. Cooking facilities shall not be available to guests. An annual inspection and Public Lodging License are required. 1-4 guest rooms can be approved by Zoning Administrator; 5-8 guests rooms are approved as a Special Exception by the Board of Appeals. Click on the links below for more information about Bed & Breakfasts.

Short Term Rentals:

Short Term Rental (aka "Airbnb") – A dwelling unit offered for rent in part or in its entirety for less than 30 consecutive days per occupant. A Short Term Rental Certificate of Compliance is required. Click on the links below for more information about short term rentals.

  • Owner Occupied - This is the owner’s primary residence. One room may be rented while the owner lives there, or the entire home while they are away. This is allowed in any zone district. 
  • Investor Owned - The owner does not live here, and they rent the entire home to visitors. This is often a vacation home or second home. This is allowed:
    - In the following Zone Districts: NMU, CMU, RMU, GMU, I, PUD, and F where residential uses are permitted; OR
    - In a Residential Zone District (LDR, CNR, MDR, and TNR) with a maximum of 25 properties(*), and a 500 foot separation distance. *We have reached our maximum of 25 short term rental properties. (We don’t often have openings in this program, but when we have an opening this web page will be updated.)
  • Tulip Time - A dwelling that is offered in part or in its entirety for not more than 10 days during the designated Tulip Time festival in May. No inspection or certificate are required.

Exempt:

  • Care Facilities – A private or public facility where people live on-site to receive care, treatment, supervision, or rehabilitation for physical, mental, social-emotional, social-economic or similar conditions. Examples include nursing home, home for the aged, convalescent home, rehab clinic.
  • Tulip Time Short Term Rentals