Board of Trustees receives STR report at October meeting

The Short Term Rental department provided a 2025 report to the Township Board of Trustees

A report from the Casco Township Short Term Rental (STR) department dominated the Casco Township Board of Trustees monthly meeting on October 20, 2025. Kathy Stanton, the Deputy Clerk, presented the report.

In 2025, 151 properties were registered as STRs, up from 143 in 2024. Hotline complaints totaled 25, primarily focused on noise but also on occupancy rates, trash, and other matters. The hotline is contracted through Granicus, a company which contracts software solutions to local governments. The hotline is listed on the Casco Township government website and provides a way for residents to notify Township authorities about disturbances at neighboring homes used as STRs. Residents can also fill out a complaint form if they prefer that over a recorded call.

Complaints registered at the hotline are forwarded by emailed notification to three people: Stanton and Paul Macyauski, who staff the STR program, and the Township Supervisor, Allan Overhiser. Complaints are investigated by Macyauski or potentially the Allegan County Sheriff/Casco Township Deputy. Complaints such as noise, trespassing, and illegal parking require an officer to respond.

Residents who use the hotline system to register a complaint are urged to call when the problem is occurring, as calls about noise reported after the event are not followed up on, given lack of timely evidence. Residents can provide photos and video recordings to appropriately capture the alleged violation of the Casco Township Short Term Rental Ordinance.

The Granicus contract also includes software that searches the web for property owners advertising their home for short term rental. Kathy Stanton makes sure this information matches pre-registered properties. If a property owner in Casco tries to conduct short term renting without prior registration, Stanton and Macyauski follow up to secure the registration; otherwise, a $1,000 fine is levied against the property owner. The software collects property information from AirBnB, VRBO, Booking.com, and other sites.

Stanton included a request for the Township to consider raising registration rates or incentivizing timely registrations with a discount. Staff time is spent tracking unregistered properties and incentivizing registration would solve this. In 2025, 18 properties did not register ahead of the April 1 STR registration deadline.

Additional software features available through the Granicus contract can automate some tasks currently managed by Stanton. The Township is awaiting the Granicus quote for 2026 services prior to making a decision.

The budget for the STR program is approximately $40,000. Revenue for 2025 totaled $49,000, with 151 registered rentals paying $325 each. The expenses for the program include the Granicus contract at $11,720 (for 2025); Staffing, $22,048; and SHAES (South Haven Area Emergency Services) inspections of properties at $125 per inspection, which added up to $5,000 in 2025.

Kathy Stanton and Paul Macyauski were thanked for the report, which followed Trustee Mary Campbell's request to review the STR program at monthly board meetings.

In public comment, Dave Campbell asked that registered short term rentals be posted in a more timely manner onto the Casco Township website.

The Casco Township Short Term Rental Ordinance and STR enforcement process resulted from a two year, resident-led effort in the Township, and a ballot issue, to clarify and regulate short term rental activity. The Board expressed appreciation for the department's work and acknowledged that this ordinance is used as a model by area municipalities.