Newaygo County is a west-central Michigan county of approximately 49,978 residents, named for an Ojibwe leader or an Algonquian word meaning “much water” — both interpretations are fitting given the county’s 230+ natural lakes, 350+ miles of rivers and streams, and the powerful Muskegon River flowing through its heart. The county seat is White Cloud, a small community in the county’s center; the county’s largest economic anchor is Gerber Products Company in Fremont (the county’s largest city), which has employed approximately 1,300 workers as the county’s largest private employer. Tourism is the primary economic driver overall, anchored by the Muskegon River’s world-class steelhead and salmon fishing, the Hardy Dam and Reservoir (the largest earthen dam east of the Mississippi, creating a 4,000-acre lake), and extensive hunting and recreation in the Manistee National Forest. The county median household income is approximately $61,931. All landlord-tenant matters are governed by Michigan state law (MCL 554.601 et seq.; MCL 600.5714 et seq.). Evictions file with the 78th District Court at 1092 E. Newell Street, White Cloud, MI 49349, phone (231) 689-7257.
230+ lakes; Hardy Dam (largest earthen dam E. of Mississippi); Muskegon River
Landlord Rating
7/10 — Affordable Rural/Tourism Market
⚖️ Eviction At-a-Glance
Nonpayment Notice
7-Day Demand for Possession
Lease Violation Notice
30-Day Notice to Quit
Court
78th DC — 1092 E. Newell St., White Cloud
Court Phone
(231) 689-7257
Note
78th DC also serves Lake County (Baldwin location)
Avg Timeline
21–57 days start to finish
Newaygo County Local Regulations
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinances. Michigan state law governs all residential rental matters.
Category
Details
Local Ordinances
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinances. Individual municipalities (Fremont, White Cloud, Newaygo, Grant, Hesperia) maintain local property and nuisance standards. Michigan state law governs all landlord-tenant matters.
Rent Control
Prohibited statewide. No municipality in Newaygo County may impose rent caps or stabilization measures.
Security Deposit
Capped at 1.5× monthly rent (MCL 554.602). Return within 30 days of move-out with itemized list or face double-damages liability (MCL 554.613).
78th DC Serves Two Counties
The 78th District Court has served both Newaygo and Lake counties since April 1, 2003. The Newaygo County location at 1092 E. Newell Street, White Cloud (231-689-7257) is the correct filing address for all Newaygo County landlord-tenant evictions. Lake County cases file at the Lake County location in Baldwin (800 10th St., 231-745-4614). Do not confuse the two.
Seasonal & Cottage Rentals
Newaygo County has a large number of summer cottage residents, particularly along the Muskegon River corridor, Hardy Dam Pond, White Lake, and the county’s 230+ inland lakes. Seasonal rentals should use explicit fixed-term leases with clear start and end dates. Seasonal workers or tenants holding over after lease expiration may assert month-to-month rights requiring formal eviction.
Last verified: 2026-04-01
🏛️ Newaygo County Courthouse
78th District Court — White Cloud
🏛️ Courthouse Information and Locations for Michigan
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State statutes that apply throughout Newaygo County
⚡ Quick Overview
7
Days Notice (Nonpayment)
7-30
Days Notice (Violation)
30-60
Avg Total Days
$45-150
Filing Fee (Approx)
💰 Nonpayment of Rent
Notice Type7-Day Demand for Possession
Notice Period7 days
Tenant Can Cure?Yes - tenant can pay full rent within 7 days to stop eviction. After judgment, tenant has 10 business days to pay judgment amount or vacate.
Days to Hearing10-30 days
Days to Writ10 days
Total Estimated Timeline30-60 days
Total Estimated Cost$200-$600
⚠️ Watch Out
Notice period matches rent payment schedule (7 days for monthly tenants). Use official form DC 100a. After judgment, tenant gets 10 business days to pay judgment amount or move - if paid within 10 days, case over. Consent judgments can be set aside within 3 days if tenant was unrepresented. Corporations/partnerships must have attorney. 24-hour notice for illegal drug activity (with police report).
Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
File an eviction case with the District Court - Summary Proceedings. Pay the filing fee (~$45-150).
Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
Attend the court hearing and present your case.
If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.
⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Michigan eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice.
Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections.
For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified Michigan attorney or local legal aid organization.
🔍 Reduce Your Risk Before Signing a Lease:
Michigan landlords who screen tenants carefully before signing a lease significantly
reduce their risk of ending up in eviction court. Understanding
tenant screening in Michigan —
including background checks, credit history, income verification, and rental references — is one of the most
cost-effective steps you can take to protect your rental property. Before you ever need Michigan's
eviction process, proper tenant screening can help
you identify red flags early and avoid problem tenancies altogether.
Ready to File?
Generate Michigan-Compliant Legal Documents
AI-generated, state-specific eviction notices, pay-or-quit letters, lease termination documents, and more — pre-filled with your tenant's information and built to Michigan requirements.
Select your state, eviction reason, and the date you plan to serve notice. We'll calculate your earliest filing date and key milestones.
⚠️ Disclaimer: These calculations are estimates based on state statutes and typical court timelines. Actual results vary by county, court backlog, and case specifics. Always verify current requirements with your local courthouse. This is not legal advice.
Underground Landlord
🏙️ Communities in Newaygo County
City, villages, and townships
Fremont White Cloud Grant Newaygo Hesperia
Newaygo County
Screen Before You Sign
Gerber Products workers and healthcare/government employees are the most stable applicants. Use explicit fixed-term leases for seasonal/cottage rentals. File Newaygo County cases at the White Cloud courthouse — not Baldwin (Lake County).
A Landlord’s Guide to Renting in Newaygo County, Michigan
Newaygo County’s identity is shaped by water above all else. The Muskegon River — Michigan’s second-longest river — flows through the county’s heart, offering what many anglers consider the best steelhead fishing in Michigan in spring and some of the best salmon runs in the state in fall. The Hardy Dam Pond, created by the largest earthen dam east of the Mississippi River, provides a 4,000-acre recreational reservoir. The county’s 230+ natural lakes support a large summer cottage and vacation rental economy. Newaygo County is also a significant portion of the Manistee National Forest’s southern range, providing public land for hunting, camping, and ORV recreation. This outdoor recreation foundation draws seasonal residents and tourists, creating a secondary layer of housing demand on top of the county’s year-round working population.
Gerber, Fremont, and the Stable Employment Base
Despite its rural and recreational character, Newaygo County has a meaningful manufacturing and food-processing employment anchor in Gerber Products Company, headquartered in Fremont — the county’s largest city. Gerber’s approximately 1,300 local employees represent the county’s most significant stable-income employer and a substantial segment of the reliable tenant applicant pool. Beyond Gerber, the county’s employment includes agriculture (fruit and vegetable farming), small manufacturing, healthcare at Spectrum Health Fremont Hospital, retail, and county government. Fremont contains the bulk of Newaygo County’s year-round rental demand. White Cloud, the county seat, is a very small community whose primary function is county government administration.
The 78th District Court
Newaygo County landlord-tenant evictions file with the 78th District Court at 1092 E. Newell Street, White Cloud, MI 49349, phone (231) 689-7257, fax (231) 689-7258. The 78th District Court has served both Newaygo and Lake counties since April 1, 2003. Newaygo County cases must be filed at the White Cloud location; Lake County cases file at the Baldwin location. Security deposit compliance is standard Michigan: 1.5× maximum, 30-day return with itemized list, double damages for noncompliance under MCL 554.613.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about landlord-tenant law in Newaygo County, Michigan and is not legal advice. Always verify current requirements with the 78th District Court or a licensed Michigan attorney before taking legal action. Last updated: April 2026.
