Apply for a Home Occupation One-Room Rental License

Step 1.Check your eligibility

We only issue 200 licenses for one-room rentals per year. Make sure to get your application in as early as you can. You should know that you will not be able to claim 100% Principal Residence Exemption while renting out space in your home.

To get a Home Occupation Class B License for a one-room rental, make sure you have a valid driver's license and don't owe money to the City. We're unable to issue you a business license if you don't meet these requirements.

Unsure if you owe?

• Check if you owe court fees, property taxes or parking tickets. Call the Treasurer's Office at 616-456-3020
• Check if you owe taxes to the City. Call the Income Tax Department at 616-456-3415

Property Requirements

Contact the Planning Department at 616-456-4100 to confirm the property meets zoning requirements.  Check before submitting your application to avoid long delays in processing your license.

• The dwelling must be your principal residence 
• All rooms must be within the main dwelling unit
• Rental rooms may not be located in accessory structures
• No more than 2 adult guests can rent the space for use overnight
• You must be in residence while renting the space
• You must be sole owner, joint tenant, or joint tenant by the entireties of the real estate

Fire Inspection

Fire Inspections are done as needed at the discretion of the Fire Department. If one is required, the Fire Department will contact you to set it up.

Step 2.Gather your information

Here's a look at what you'll need to complete your application:

• A floor plan of the entire home with the room to be rented clearly indicated
• A letter of approval from authorized Condominium Association (if applicable)

Have questions? Give us a call at the number listed in the Contact Us section of this page. There are many things that you need to do to apply for the license. We also have resources to help you prepare your application:

• Home Occupation Class B One-Room Rental License Checklist(PDF, 186KB)
• Home Occupation License Ordinance
• Zoning Code

Step 3.Have your payment ready

There is a $569 application fee for a first issuance of a license. The renewal fee is $206.

Step 4.Complete the online application

We use a third party system called Citizen Access for business license applications. If this is your first time using this system, it's a good idea to learn How to Create a Citizen Access Account.

Your application might take some time. That's why we recommend that you gather all the required information first.

Apply in English

Step 5.Prepare for your inspection

The Fire Department will contact you to schedule an inspection.

Step 6.We'll review your application

It takes us 5-10 business days to process applications. Keep in mind that it may take longer to process your application if we find that you need to make changes. We'll call or email you to let you know your license is ready. You can either pick it up from the office or we'll mail it to you.

The license must be displayed openly on the property where all customers can see.

Step 7.Renew your license

All licenses are good for one year from when they are issued. Make sure to note your expiration date so you renew your license on time next year.

Step 1.Check your eligibility

We only issue 200 licenses for one-room rentals per year. Make sure to get your application in as early as you can. You should know that you will not be able to claim 100% Principal Residence Exemption while renting out space in your home.

To get a Home Occupation Class B License for a one-room rental, make sure you have a valid driver's license and don't owe money to the City. We're unable to issue you a business license if you don't meet these requirements.

UNSURE IF YOU OWE?

• Check if you owe court fees, property taxes or parking tickets. Call the Treasurer's Office at 616-456-3020
• Check if you owe taxes to the City. Call the Income Tax Department at 616-456-3415

PROPERTY REQUIREMENTS

Contact the Planning Department at 616-456-4100 to confirm the property meets zoning requirements.  Check before submitting your application to avoid long delays in processing your license.

• The dwelling must be your principal residence 
• All rooms must be within the main dwelling unit
• Rental rooms may not be located in accessory structures
• No more than 2 adult guests can rent the space for use overnight
• You must be in residence while renting the space
• You must be sole owner, joint tenant, or joint tenant by the entireties of the real estate 

FIRE INSPECTION

Fire Inspections are done as needed at the discretion of the Fire Department. If one is required, the Fire Department will contact you to set it up.

Step 2.Gather your information

Here's a look at what you'll need to complete your application:

• A floor plan of the entire home with the room to be rented clearly indicated
• A letter of approval from authorized Condominium Association (if applicable)

Have questions? Give us a call at the number listed in the Contact Us section of this page. There are many things that you need to do to apply for the license. We also have resources to help you prepare your application:

• Home Occupation Class B One-Room Rental License Checklist(PDF, 186KB)
• Home Occupation License Ordinance
• Zoning Code

Step 3.Have your payment ready

There is a $569 application fee for new licenses. The renewal fee is $206.

All application fees are non-refundable. Here's a look at our accepted payment methods:

MAILED PAYMENTS

• Check
• Money order

IN PERSON PAYMENTS

• Cash
• Check
• Money order
• Credit or debit cards (Visa, Discover, or MasterCard)

Step 4.Download the application

Fill out the PDF application and return it to us by mail or in person.

Download Application in English

Step 5.Mail or drop off your completed application

Make sure you have the appropriate payment ready. Refer to step 3 for accepted payment methods.

Step 6.Prepare for your inspection

The Fire Department will contact you to schedule an inspection.

Step 7.We'll review your application

It takes us 5-10 business days to process applications. Keep in mind that it may take longer to process your application if we find that you need to make changes. We'll call or email you to let you know your license is ready. You can either pick it up from the office or we'll mail it to you.

The license must be displayed openly on the property where all customers can see.

Step 8.Renew your license

All licenses are good for one year from when they are issued. Make sure to note your expiration date so you renew your license on time next year.

Step 1.Make sure we're open

Our office hours are 8 AM - 5 PM, Monday through Friday. We are out of the office on public holidays.

Step 2.Call us for instructions

You can find our number in the Contact Us section of this page. We'll get you all the information you need to apply for your business license.

Step 1.Check your eligibility

We only issue 200 licenses for one-room rentals per year. Make sure to get your application in as early as you can. You should know that you will not be able to claim 100% Principal Residence Exemption while renting out space in your home.

To get a Home Occupation Class B License for a one-room rental, make sure you have a valid driver's license and don't owe money to the City. We're unable to issue you a business license if you don't meet these requirements.

UNSURE IF YOU OWE?

• Check if you owe court fees, property taxes or parking tickets. Call the Treasurer's Office at 616-456-3020
• Check if you owe taxes to the City. Call the Income Tax Department at 616-456-3415

PROPERTY REQUIREMENTS

Contact the Planning Department at 616-456-4100 to confirm the property meets zoning requirements.  Check before submitting your application to avoid long delays in processing your license.

• The dwelling must be your principal residence 
• All rooms must be within the main dwelling unit
• Rental rooms may not be located in accessory structures
• No more than 2 adult guests can rent the space for use overnight
• You must be in residence while renting the space
• You must be sole owner, joint tenant, or joint tenant by the entireties of the real estate

FIRE INSPECTION

Fire Inspections are done as needed at the discretion of the Fire Department. If one is required, the Fire Department will contact you to set it up.

Step 2.Gather your information

Here's a look at what you'll need to complete your application:

• A floor plan of the entire home with the room to be rented clearly indicated
• A letter of approval from authorized Condominium Association (if applicable)

Have questions? Give us a call at the number listed in the Contact Us section of this page. There are many things that you need to do to apply for the license. We also have resources to help you prepare your application:

• Home Occupation Class B One-Room Rental License Checklist(PDF, 186KB)
• Home Occupation License Ordinance
• Zoning Code

Step 3.Have your payment ready

There is a $569 application fee for new licenses. The renewal fee is $206.

All application fees are non-refundable. Here's a look at our accepted payment methods:

IN PERSON PAYMENTS

• Cash
• Check
• Money order
• Credit or debit cards (Visa, Discover, or MasterCard)

Step 4.Visit our office to apply

Visit us on the 2nd floor of City Hall. Our address is in the Contact Us section of this page. We'll get you an application and answer all of your questions about the process. Make sure you have your payment ready. You can see our accepted payment methods in step 3 above.

Step 5.Prepare for your inspection

The Fire Department will contact you to schedule an inspection.

Step 6.We'll review your application

It takes us 5-10 business days to process applications. Keep in mind that it may take longer to process your application if we find that you need to make changes. We'll call or email you to let you know your license is ready. You can either pick it up from the office or we'll mail it to you.

The license must be displayed openly on the property where all customers can see.

Step 7.Renew your license

All licenses are good for one year from when they are issued. Make sure to note your expiration date so you renew your license on time next year.