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New restrictions for Traverse City vacation home rentals approved

Courtesy traversecity.com

Traverse City commissioners unanimously approved some restrictions on vacation home rentals last (Monday) night.

Previously unhosted vacation rentals like AirBnB had been allowed in most areas.

In some residential and business areas owners will now only be allowed to rent up to 25 percent of their units to visitors.

Traverse City Planning Director Russ Soyring said the planning commission had wanted to eliminate vacation rentals to create affordable housing for residents.

“In the city… they really feel that vacation home rentals are outcompeting the long-term rentals… long-term sales of residential,” says Soyring.

Vacation rentals are allowed without restrictions in some areas of Traverse City.

Previously licensed short-term rentals will be grandfathered in.

The change will go into effect in November.