SHORT TERM RENTAL

The City of Linden has adopted a new Short Term Rental (STR) Ordinance (Ord. No. 405), which will take effect on March 15, 2023. The City has instituted this licensing process to provide structure and guidance so that short term rentals can be accommodated in a way that appropriately blends with Linden’s small-town character.

A “Personal Unit Short Term Rental” DOES NOT require licensing. A Personal Unit STR is a residential dwelling unit assessed at 100% (PRE) principal residence exemption and rented for no more than a total of 14 days per calendar year when the owner is not present or unlimited when the property owner is present and living on the premises. Any short term rental not meeting this definition is considered a “Business Unit Short Term Rental” and DOES require licensing. Further, Business Unit STRs shall only be allowed in areas of the City shown on the Business Unit Short Term Rental Map and shall be separated at least 250 feet from any other Business Unit STR. The new ordinance limits the total number of Business Unit STRs to a maximum of 20 within the City. If you operate an existing Business Unit STR in the City, or would like to establish a new Business Unit STR, you must apply for a license.

The annual license fee of $200 must be paid prior to the issuance of a license. Once a license is issued, it will be valid for one calendar year and must be renewed prior to the license anniversary date. Property owners with multiple Business Unit STRs must obtain a license for each rental unit. Prior to the issuance of a license, the City of Linden Building Official shall conduct an inspection of the Business Unit STR to determine compliance with the standards of the ordinance and all applicable zoning, building, health and safety codes. An owner of a short term who violates any provision of the ordinance is subject to a municipal civil infraction penalty.

Questions about the Short Term Rental Ordinance should be directed to the City Zoning Administrator at (810) 735-7980 or Email The City Planner and Zoning Administrator

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