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Sides forming in state effort to preempt local renter rules

Boat on Northport Bay, Lake Michigan
Mark Brush
/
Michigan Radio
Boat on Northport Bay in Lake Michigan

A fight is brewing at the state Capitol over whether the Legislature should preempt local rules on expensive rental properties.

Local governments and neighbors say short-term vacation rentals are changing the character of neighborhoods. The battle is getting particularly fierce in Great Lakes shoreline communities where rental properties can go for thousands of dollars a week.

Lucy Welch lives in Spring Lake on the Lake Michigan shoreline. She says neighbors recently started renting out their home to vacationers.

"It’s like a fraternity party at night and during the day, it’s like living next to a resort,” Welch said.

Landlords and rental agencies say local governments should not be able to tell homeowners what to do with their property.  A hearing on the bills is expected later this month.

Rick Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987.