Public hearing scheduled
Keweenaw Co. to look at STRs
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EAGLE RIVER -- The Keweenaw County Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing to review proposed amendments targeting short-term rentals (STRs) across the county.
According to an announcement on the Keweenaw County website portal, the purpose of the public hearing is to receive public comment on a proposed text amendment to the Keweenaw County Zoning Ordinance concerning the regulation of STRs. The proposed amendment would establish a countywide annual STR permit process and related administrative and operational standards.
The public hearing will begin at 4 p.m. Monday, October 5, 2026, at the Keweenaw County Courthouse, located at 5095 Fourth Street in Eagle River.
The scheduled hearing follows the release of a newly published Short-Term Rental Text Amendment Staff Report, which is now available for public inspection at the county clerk’s office. Planning commission members emphasized that the report provides comprehensive background on the proposed structural changes, reviews the county’s existing permitting lanes, and evaluates the regulatory text under established zoning criteria.
The issue remains a critical bone of contention for Keweenaw communities facing structural budget shortfalls. At a packed public information assembly in Mohawk last week, numerous residents and township trustees strongly advocated for stiff STR licensing fees and density caps to generate alternative revenue streams for the county’s deficit while preserving local housing availability. Conversely, several non-resident property owners have continuously pushed back against increased regulatory oversight.
Planning commission members and county officials emphasized that the release of this staff report is a procedural step intended as a guiding blueprint to assist residents and property owners in understanding the draft rules before any formal vote. No final legislative action has been executed yet, making this report the definitive text for community evaluation this week.