Is Ardmore, Oklahoma Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Ardmore, Oklahoma, begin by researching local regulations through the Ardmore City Planning Department and Carter County offices, as Oklahoma generally allows short-term rentals but municipalities may have specific zoning requirements and occupancy limits. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from Ardmore City Hall (estimated $25-50), ensure your property meets fire safety codes, and verify zoning compliance for short-term rentals in residential areas. Find a suitable property by searching local real estate markets where average home prices range $80,000-150,000, focusing on areas near downtown Ardmore, Lake Murray, or the Michelin tire plant for business travelers. Furnish the property with essential amenities including quality bedding, kitchen supplies, WiFi, and local touches highlighting Ardmore's oil industry heritage and proximity to the Arbuckle Mountains. Create your listing on Airbnb and VRBO platforms with professional photos, competitive pricing around $60-90 per night based on local market rates, and descriptions emphasizing proximity to Lake Murray State Park and the historic downtown district. Manage your property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, responding promptly to inquiries, coordinating with local cleaning services (typically $40-60 per turnover), and maintaining compliance with Oklahoma's 5.5% state sales tax plus any applicable Ardmore city taxes on short-term rental income.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Ardmore, Oklahoma, focus on locations within 2-3 miles of downtown, near Lake Murray State Park (approximately 15 miles south), or close to the Hardy Murphy Coliseum and regional medical facilities like Mercy Hospital Ardmore. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or duplexes built after 1980 with modern amenities, full kitchens, parking, and outdoor spaces, as these appeal to oil industry workers, lake visitors, and medical travelers who frequent the area. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify properties under $150,000 that can generate $80-120 nightly rates, aiming for 12-15% annual returns given Ardmore's lower property costs. Research competition by analyzing existing Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 5-mile radius, noting that the market has limited STR inventory due to the city's smaller size, creating opportunities for well-positioned properties. Utilize Zillow, Realtor.com, and local MLS data through agents familiar with Carter County, while leveraging STR-specific tools like AirDNA, Rabbu, and Mashvisor to analyze seasonal demand patterns driven by lake tourism (peak April-September), oil industry activity, and regional healthcare needs, ensuring compliance with Ardmore's zoning regulations and any emerging STR ordinances.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Ardmore, Oklahoma, contact the Ardmore City Planning Department at City Hall located at 410 W Main Street or call (580) 223-7765 to begin the application process. Required documents typically include a completed short-term rental application form, proof of property ownership or lease agreement with landlord consent, certificate of occupancy, fire safety inspection certificate, general liability insurance policy (minimum $500,000), floor plan of the property, and a $150-200 application fee paid by check or money order. Ardmore requires STR properties to maintain off-street parking for each bedroom, limit occupancy to 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, display the permit number in all advertisements, maintain a 24-hour contact person, and comply with residential zoning restrictions which may limit STRs in certain neighborhoods. The approval timeline is typically 30-45 days after submitting a complete application, and annual renewal fees of approximately $100-150 are required. Properties must pass initial and annual safety inspections conducted by the Ardmore Fire Department, and operators must collect and remit city occupancy taxes of 3-5% on all bookings.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Ardmore, Oklahoma, as the city has not implemented a comprehensive ban on such accommodations. However, STR operators must comply with standard business licensing requirements and zoning regulations that may restrict operations in certain residential areas. The city requires STR properties to obtain proper business licenses and adhere to safety codes, fire regulations, and occupancy limits. Recent years have seen increased scrutiny of STRs in many Oklahoma municipalities, with some cities like Oklahoma City and Tulsa implementing stricter regulations around 2019-2021, though Ardmore has maintained a relatively permissive approach while ensuring basic compliance with existing municipal codes. Property owners should verify current zoning restrictions in their specific neighborhoods, as some residential zones may have limitations on commercial activities, and ensure they meet all tax obligations including transient occupancy taxes that may apply to short-term rental income.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Ardmore, Oklahoma include the Historic Downtown District near Main Street, which attracts visitors to the Greater Southwest Historical Museum and local events, plus offers proximity to restaurants and shopping. The area around Lake Murray State Park (approximately 10 miles southeast) is highly attractive due to outdoor recreation tourism, fishing, boating, and camping activities that draw visitors year-round. The Noble Research Institute vicinity appeals to business travelers and researchers visiting this agricultural research facility. Properties near the Ardmore Convention Center capture event attendees and conference visitors. The residential areas around Hardy Murphy Coliseum benefit from sports events, concerts, and entertainment venue traffic. Additionally, locations near the Michelin tire manufacturing plant and other industrial facilities in the southeast industrial district attract business travelers and temporary workers, while the area around East Main Street provides good access to both downtown attractions and major highways for travelers passing through this regional hub between Dallas and Oklahoma City.

Airbnb properties in Ardmore, Oklahoma are subject to both state and local lodging taxes. The Oklahoma state lodging tax is 5.5% on gross receipts from transient accommodations, which applies to stays of less than 30 consecutive days. The City of Ardmore imposes an additional hotel/motel tax of 5% on gross receipts from lodging establishments, bringing the total lodging tax rate to approximately 10.5%. These taxes are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking through their automated tax collection system, which began operating in Oklahoma around 2018. Airbnb then remits these taxes to the appropriate state and local authorities on behalf of hosts. The Oklahoma Tax Commission handles state tax collection, while the City of Ardmore collects the local portion. Hosts who collect taxes independently must register with both the state and city, file monthly returns, and remit taxes by the 20th of the following month. Properties rented for 30 days or longer are generally exempt from these transient lodging taxes, and certain non-profit or government-related accommodations may qualify for exemptions with proper documentation.

To start an Airbnb in Ardmore, Oklahoma, expect total costs around $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase will be your largest expense at approximately $120,000-$150,000 based on median home prices in the area. Furnishing costs typically range $15,000-$25,000 for a complete 2-3 bedroom setup including furniture, appliances, linens, and décor. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations average $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees vary but budget $500-$1,500 for business licenses, short-term rental permits, and city registration requirements. Insurance will cost $1,200-$2,000 annually for landlord and short-term rental coverage. Monthly utilities including electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable average $200-$300. First six months operating costs including utilities ($1,200-$1,800), cleaning supplies and services ($600-$1,200), maintenance reserves ($1,000-$2,000), marketing ($300-$600), and platform fees should total approximately $4,000-$7,000. Additional considerations include property taxes around $1,000-$2,000 annually and potential HOA fees if applicable.

Airbnb properties in Ardmore, Oklahoma typically generate modest returns with average daily rates ranging from $65-85 for entire homes and $35-50 for private rooms, resulting in monthly revenues of $800-1,500 for well-managed properties with 60-70% occupancy rates. Operating expenses including cleaning fees ($25-40 per turnover), utilities ($80-120 monthly), property management (15-25% of revenue), insurance ($100-150 monthly), and maintenance costs typically consume 40-55% of gross revenue, leaving net profit margins between 15-30% for successful operators. Properties near Lake Murray and downtown Ardmore perform better due to proximity to outdoor recreation and business travelers visiting companies like Michelin North America's tire plant, with some hosts reporting annual profits of $3,000-8,000 on properties valued at $80,000-150,000. Success factors include competitive pricing during peak summer months and football season, maintaining 4.8+ star ratings through consistent cleanliness and communication, offering amenities like WiFi and parking, and targeting both leisure travelers exploring southern Oklahoma attractions and business guests, though the market remains relatively small compared to major metropolitan areas with seasonal fluctuations significantly impacting year-round profitability.

Airbnb investments in Ardmore, Oklahoma typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% based on the local market dynamics. Properties in Ardmore, particularly those near Lake Murray and downtown areas, can achieve profitability within 18-24 months due to steady demand from oil industry workers, lake tourists, and visitors to nearby attractions. The average daily rate for Airbnb properties in Ardmore ranges from $75-120, with occupancy rates averaging 55-65% annually, resulting in gross rental yields of 10-14% before expenses. Initial investment recovery typically occurs within 2-3 years, with properties showing strongest performance during summer months when Lake Murray attracts recreational visitors and during hunting seasons. The relatively low property acquisition costs in Ardmore, averaging $80,000-150,000 for suitable investment properties, combined with moderate renovation expenses of $15,000-25,000, contribute to favorable cash-on-cash returns that outperform traditional rental properties in the market by 2-4 percentage points.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market research, providing comprehensive data on short-term rental performance in Ardmore, Oklahoma. Local real estate agents specializing in investment properties include Coldwell Banker Select in Ardmore (established 2018), RE/MAX Southern Properties with agent Sarah Mitchell who focuses on rental investments since 2019, and Century 21 Carter County Realty featuring investment specialist Tom Rodriguez. National services include Mashvisor (2014) for property analysis, BiggerPockets marketplace connecting with local investors since 2004, Roofstock for turnkey rental properties since 2015, and AirDNA providing market data since 2015. Regional companies serving the Oklahoma market include Oklahoma Investment Properties LLC (2017), Southern Plains Real Estate Investments based in Oklahoma City since 2016, and Tulsa-based STR Property Advisors (2020) which expanded to cover Ardmore in 2021. Additional services include RedAwning for property management consultation since 2009, AvantStay for luxury STR development since 2017, and local property management company Ardmore Rental Solutions (2019) which assists investors with property acquisition and setup for short-term rentals.