Short Term Rentals FAQ's

For additional questions, please reach out to Haley Titus, haley@harborcovemanagement.com 

Q: Can you briefly summarize the new regulations? 

A: Gordon Beach homeowners who wish to use their homes as a short-term rental are required to have both a New Buffalo Township license and a GBHA license and must be owner-occupants, using their home at least 30 days per year. There will be a 25-license cap on STR licenses in Gordon Beach, with an active waiting list once we reach the cap. Homeowners can also apply for an exception (beyond the cap) based on life events or financial hardship. New homebuyers are required to adhere to a two-year waiting period before renting out their homes on a short-term basis. STR licenses are not transferable. We encourage everyone to read through the complete policies.

Q: What happens when we reach the cap? 

A: We currently have 29 STR licenses on-file with Harbor Cove. Anyone who had a NBT rental license before June 20, 2025 (the date of our moratorium), will be allowed to continue to use their home as an STR as long as they apply for a GBHA license before the April 3 (11:59 pm EDT) deadline, submit all of the documentation, pay relevant fees and meet the criteria.

Q: I didn’t have a license on June 20, 2025, so how can I rent out my home once we reach the cap? 

A: You have two options, and both require filling out the GBHA license application: you can apply for an exception to the cap (based on the exception policy) or you can put yourself on a waiting list to receive a license once a spot opens up. You will not be required to have a New Buffalo Township rental license and you will not be asked to pay any fee until you are cleared to receive a GBHA license. 

Q: What are the requirements to obtain a GBHA license? 

A: You will be asked to provide some basic information, a 24/7 contact for your property, your rental listings, a copy of your NBT license, a notarized affidavit affirming your owner-occupancy and pay a GBHA rental fee. You must also be in good standing on any money owed to the association.

Q: How much is the fee and how is it used by the association? 

A: The fee is $450 for three years and the money is used to offset the administrative costs of the regulations. For existing NBT license-holders, we have prorated the fees to align with their current NBT license term. Harbor Cove will provide you with your fee or you can reach out to Haley and she will help you with the amount you owe. Once Harbor Cove has provided you with your fee amount, if you have any additional questions, please contact Haley.

Q: Why do I have to have a notarized affidavit? 

A: One goal of these regulations is to limit non-owner-occupied (or investor) rentals which can have an outsized impact on the character of our community. For this reason, we are asking everyone to provide us with a notarized affidavit of (minimum) 30-day annual occupancy of their home. Harbor Cove has a notary on-staff, you can reach out to Haley to make an appointment and there is no charge for this service. You also can use an online service like Proof, Notarize or NotaryCam.

Q: Who approves the exceptions? 

A: The exception policy is designed to be minimally invasive and to protect member privacy. A subset of the board will approve the exceptions and all information will be kept confidential. The board will approve four active exceptions at a time. Exceptions are considered to be beyond the cap.

Q: How will the waiting list work? 

A: If you wish to join the waiting list for a GBHA license, please fill out the GBHA license application, check the box that says, “I want to join the wait list” and provide the information requested. You will NOT be asked to pay any fees or provide a New Buffalo Township rental license. All waitlist requests received before April 3 will be randomly ordered by Harbor Cove on April 6. After that, the wait list is first-come, first-served.

Q: What are the key deadlines? 

A: If you had a NBT license before June 20, 2025 and you want to continue to rent, you must submit a completed GBHA license application and all required documents and payments by 11:59 EDT on Friday, April 3, 2026. If you want to apply for an exception you can do that at any time; they will be considered in the order that they are received. If you wish to be added to the waiting list, requests received before April 3 will be randomly ordered by Harbor Cove on April 6. After that, the waiting list is first-come, first-served.

Q: Can I be on the waiting list while I’m applying for an exception? 

A: Yes. You may put yourself on the waiting list while you apply for an exception.

Q: What happens when my GHBA license expires? 

A: It is YOUR responsibility to renew your GBHA license before it expires or you will forfeit your right to rent out your home in Gordon Beach. Please make a note of this important expiration date when you receive your license from Harbor Cove.

Q: What if I want to rent out my home long term (more than 30 days)? 

A: These policies only affect short-term rentals (less than 30 days). However, if you rent out your home long-term you must register your rental with Harbor Cove.

Q: Where do I go if I still have questions? 

A: Please reach out to Haley Titus at Harbor Cove, haley@harborcovemanagement.com and she will be happy to help you.