Saugatuck City Council will take up two issues Tuesday night that touch on different sides of life in the popular tourist town: how to keep short-term rentals in compliance with city rules and how to improve public facilities used by residents and visitors alike.

The council’s regular meeting was shifted to Tuesday, Oct. 13, because of the Columbus Day holiday. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. at Saugatuck City Hall, 102 Butler St., with a Zoom option available.

One of the key items on the agenda is a proposed amendment to Saugatuck’s short-term rental licensing ordinance. Under the current rules, licenses must be renewed annually, with renewals due no later than 30 days before the license expires.

The proposed amendment would establish a 60-day grace period for late renewals, along with a $100-per-day late fee. If adopted, the change would give owners a defined window to address a missed renewal deadline while attaching a significant financial penalty to late renewals.

Short-term rental regulations are an important issue in Saugatuck, where vacation rentals contribute to the local tourism economy but can also raise concerns about neighborhood quality of life and responsible property management. The proposed amendment would adjust how the city handles late renewals while maintaining the annual licensing requirement.

Council is scheduled to consider the amendment at Tuesday’s meeting. The proposal is not yet an adopted change to the ordinance.

$160,000 proposed for park restroom improvements

Also on the agenda is a proposed $160,000 allocation for interior restroom improvements and replacements at Village Square and Wicks Park.

Public restrooms may not be the most glamorous part of maintaining a tourist destination, but they are an important piece of the visitor experience. Saugatuck draws visitors to its shops, restaurants, waterfront and parks, and public facilities help accommodate the people who come to spend time downtown.

The proposed funding would support work on restrooms at two public locations. Council’s consideration of the request will determine whether the money moves forward as proposed.

The restroom request highlights another practical side of managing a destination city: maintaining public infrastructure that serves residents and visitors, particularly during busy tourism periods.

Together, the rental licensing proposal and restroom improvements reflect two of the challenges that come with being a popular tourist destination: enforcing rules for visitor accommodations and maintaining the public amenities people rely on while they are in town.

Other items on the agenda

Council is also expected to consider branding guidelines prepared by Concept A Creative for Saugatuck’s new city logo, which was adopted last month.

The agenda also includes a request for approval of the Saugatuck High School homecoming parade scheduled for Friday, Oct. 16, from 4 to 5 p.m. The parade would follow a shorter route.

The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Saugatuck City Hall, 102 Butler St. Residents can consult the city’s meeting agenda and supporting documents for additional details.

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