Ottawa County is one of Michigan’s fastest-growing large counties with approximately 296,200 residents along the Lake Michigan shoreline in west-central Michigan. The county seat is Grand Haven, a Lake Michigan port city; the largest city is Holland, a community of approximately 35,000 with a strong Dutch Reformed heritage anchored by Hope College. Major communities also include Zeeland, Hudsonville, Grand Haven, and numerous large townships. Ottawa County has a robust and growing manufacturing economy — Gentex Corporation, Thermotron, and dozens of auto suppliers and food manufacturers are based here — and a median household income of approximately $90,502, among the highest of Michigan’s mid-sized counties. The county’s rental market is exceptionally tight: as of 2024, multifamily occupancy approached 95%, affordable housing projects ran at 96.9% or higher, and the county’s overall housing availability rate was just 0.3%, far below a healthy 2–3%. Median home prices reached $380,000 in 2024. All landlord-tenant matters are governed by Michigan state law (MCL 554.601 et seq.; MCL 600.5714 et seq.). Evictions file with the 58th District Court. Ottawa County has three 58th DC locations — file in the location serving the area where the rental property is located.
⚠ Always verify the correct filing location for your property before filing. All three locations require MiFILE e-filing for all litigants.
Ottawa County Local Regulations
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinances. Michigan state law governs all residential rental matters. Individual cities may maintain rental registration programs.
Category
Details
Local Ordinances
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinances. Holland, Grand Haven, Zeeland, Hudsonville, and other municipalities may maintain local rental registration or housing code requirements. Landlords should verify requirements for each property’s municipality.
Rent Control
Prohibited statewide. No Ottawa County municipality may impose rent caps or stabilization measures.
Security Deposit
Capped at 1.5× monthly rent (MCL 554.602). With a tight market and median home prices of $380,000, security deposits near the statutory cap are common. Return within 30 days of move-out with itemized list or face double-damages liability (MCL 554.613).
Source-of-Income (2025)
Effective April 2, 2025, Michigan prohibits source-of-income discrimination at 5+ unit properties statewide (MCL 554.601c). Ottawa County’s tight market means landlords with 5+ unit properties must accept Housing Choice Vouchers. Civil remedy: actual damages or 3× monthly rent plus attorney fees (MCL 554.601d).
MiFILE E-Filing
The 58th District Court mandates MiFILE e-filing for all litigants in civil and landlord-tenant matters. If internet or scanner access is unavailable, request an exemption using form MC100. Service of eviction orders and writs requiring property seizure is arranged by the court clerks.
Housing Market Context
Ottawa County’s housing market is among west Michigan’s tightest: 95%+ rental occupancy, a 0.3% homeownership availability rate (far below healthy 2–3%), and a median home price of $380,000. Affordable housing waitlists range from 27 to 120+ households, with some government-subsidized projects at 100% occupancy. This environment significantly favors landlords.
Last verified: 2026-04-01
🏛️ Ottawa County Courthouse Finder
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State statutes that apply throughout Ottawa 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.
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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.
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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
🏙️ Major Communities in Ottawa County
Cities, villages, and townships
Holland Grand Haven Zeeland Hudsonville Jenison Spring Lake
Ottawa County
Screen Before You Sign
Manufacturing, healthcare, and Hope College-affiliated workers are excellent tenants. This is one of Michigan’s tightest markets — screen thoroughly but act quickly. MiFILE required for all parties. File in the correct 58th DC location for your property.
A Landlord’s Guide to Renting in Ottawa County, Michigan
Ottawa County is one of west Michigan’s most compelling stories in growth, faith, manufacturing, and community. With approximately 296,200 residents — a count that has grown by 14.4% between 2010 and 2020, and another 5.1% from 2020 to 2024 — Ottawa County is among Michigan’s fastest-growing large counties. The county’s economy is anchored by a remarkably diverse manufacturing base: Gentex Corporation (auto-dimming mirrors), dozens of Tier 1 automotive suppliers, food processing plants, office furniture manufacturers (a West Michigan specialty), and pharmaceutical companies all operate here. This manufacturing strength, combined with a resilient agricultural base and growing service economy, produces the county’s impressive median household income of approximately $90,502 — well above the Michigan average.
Holland, Dutch Heritage, and the Faith Community
Holland is Ottawa County’s largest city and its cultural anchor. Founded in 1847 by Dutch Reformed immigrants led by Albertus van Raalte, Holland maintains a distinctively Dutch cultural identity expressed through annual Tulip Time festival, distinctive architecture, and a strong presence of Christian Reformed and Reformed Church in America congregations. Hope College, a private liberal arts institution with approximately 3,800 students, provides an important rental market segment — student and faculty housing demand in Holland is significant. Zeeland, just east of Holland, is a strongly Dutch Reformed community with a tight-knit employer base including Gentex Corporation’s headquarters. The entire county carries a reputation for civic engagement, volunteerism, and community investment that contributes to its stability as a rental market.
The 58th District Court: Three Locations, All-MiFILE
Ottawa County landlord-tenant evictions file with the 58th District Court, which operates from three locations: Grand Haven at 414 Washington Avenue (616-846-8280; Mon–Thu 8am–5pm, Fri 9am–5pm), Holland at 85 W. 8th Street (616-392-6991), and Hudsonville at 3100 Port Sheldon Road (616-662-3100). You must file in the location serving the area where your rental property is located. All litigants are required to e-file via MiFILE; this applies to both attorneys and self-represented landlords. If you lack internet or scanner access, request an exemption using form MC100 from the court. Security deposit compliance is standard Michigan: 1.5× maximum, 30-day return with itemized list, double damages for noncompliance under MCL 554.613. Michigan’s 2025 source-of-income law (MCL 554.601c, effective April 2, 2025) applies to all 5+ unit properties throughout Ottawa County.
Disclaimer: This page provides general information about landlord-tenant law in Ottawa County, Michigan and is not legal advice. Always verify the correct 58th District Court location for your rental property and current requirements before filing. Last updated: April 2026.
