Is Arnold, Missouri Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Arnold, Missouri, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Jefferson County Planning Department and Arnold City Hall, as Arnold typically requires short-term rentals to comply with residential zoning restrictions and may require a business license or special use permit. Contact the Arnold Building Department at (636) 282-2262 to obtain necessary permits, which may include occupancy permits and safety inspections, and ensure compliance with Missouri state tax requirements by registering with the Department of Revenue for sales tax collection. Find a suitable property in Arnold's residential neighborhoods, focusing on areas near popular attractions like the Meramec River or close to Highway 55 for easy access to St. Louis, with properties typically ranging from $150,000-$300,000 for single-family homes. Furnish the property with essential amenities including comfortable bedding, kitchen appliances, Wi-Fi, and safety equipment like smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, budgeting approximately $10,000-$15,000 for initial furnishing. Create your Airbnb listing with high-quality photos, competitive pricing around $75-$125 per night based on Arnold's market rates, and highlight local attractions like Suson Park and proximity to St. Louis attractions. Manage your property by establishing check-in procedures, maintaining cleanliness standards, responding promptly to guest inquiries, and considering hiring local cleaning services or property management companies like RedAwning or Vacasa if you live outside the area, while ensuring compliance with Arnold's noise ordinances and parking regulations to maintain good neighbor relations.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Arnold, Missouri, focus on properties within 2-3 miles of the Meramec River and Jefferson Barracks Historic Park, as these areas attract outdoor enthusiasts and history tourists visiting the St. Louis metro area. Target 3-4 bedroom single-family homes or condos built after 1990 with modern amenities, full kitchens, outdoor spaces, and parking, as these features appeal to families and groups traveling to nearby attractions like Six Flags St. Louis (15 minutes away) and downtown St. Louis (20 minutes). Analyze comparable properties using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify the $80-150 nightly rate sweet spot, ensuring your property can achieve 60-70% occupancy rates to generate $2,000-4,000 monthly revenue. Research existing STR competition within a 3-mile radius using Airbnb and VRBO searches, identifying gaps in amenities or underserved dates, while monitoring properties near Arnold City Park and along Richardson Road for pricing benchmarks. Utilize tools like Rabbu for Arnold-specific market data, STR Helper for revenue projections, and connect with local real estate agents familiar with Jefferson County's STR regulations, while considering properties near the Arnold Recreation Center and Meramec Community College to capture both leisure and extended-stay business travelers.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Arnold, Missouri, you must first contact the Arnold City Hall at 1 Lonedell Road to inquire about their specific short-term rental ordinance requirements, as the city likely requires registration and permitting for properties rented for less than 30 days. You'll need to submit an application form along with required documents including proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of occupancy, proof of liability insurance (typically $1 million minimum), fire safety inspection certificate, and a site plan showing parking availability and property layout. The application fee is estimated at $150-300 annually, with additional inspection fees of approximately $75-150. You must also obtain a business license from Jefferson County if operating as a business entity, provide contact information for a local responsible party available 24/7, ensure compliance with zoning regulations (likely restricted to certain residential zones), maintain guest occupancy limits (typically 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional), and provide adequate off-street parking spaces. The approval timeline is generally 30-60 days after submitting a complete application, pending inspections and any required public notice periods. Arnold may also require annual renewals, compliance with noise ordinances, and adherence to specific operational standards including guest registration requirements and maximum rental duration limits.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Arnold, Missouri, as the city does not have specific ordinances prohibiting them, though they must comply with standard zoning regulations and business licensing requirements. Arnold follows Jefferson County and Missouri state regulations, which typically allow STRs in residential areas with proper registration and adherence to occupancy limits, noise ordinances, and safety codes. Property owners must obtain appropriate business licenses and may need to register with the city, while ensuring compliance with HOA restrictions if applicable. There are no specific prohibited areas within Arnold city limits, though properties must meet standard residential zoning requirements and cannot violate existing deed restrictions. Recent legal changes in Missouri have generally favored property rights regarding STRs, with the state legislature passing measures in 2021-2022 that limit local governments' ability to completely ban short-term rentals, though municipalities can still impose reasonable regulations regarding safety, noise, and parking requirements.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Arnold, Missouri include the Jefferson Barracks area near the historic Jefferson Barracks Park and National Cemetery, which attracts history enthusiasts and military families year-round. The Meramec River corridor offers excellent potential due to its proximity to outdoor recreation activities, fishing, and boating that draw weekend tourists from St. Louis metro area. Downtown Arnold near the civic center and shopping districts provides good opportunities for business travelers and visitors to local events. The residential areas near Seckman High School and Arnold City Park are attractive for families visiting for school events, sports tournaments, and local festivals. Properties near Highway 55 corridor offer convenience for travelers passing through or visiting nearby attractions like the Anheuser-Busch Brewery tours in south St. Louis County. The Kimmswick Road area benefits from proximity to the historic town of Kimmswick, which hosts popular events like the Apple Butter Festival that generate significant seasonal demand for short-term rentals.

Airbnb properties in Arnold, Missouri are subject to multiple lodging and occupancy taxes including Missouri state sales tax of 4.225%, Jefferson County sales tax of approximately 1-2%, and Arnold city sales tax of around 2-3%, totaling approximately 7-9% in combined sales taxes on short-term rental accommodations. The state of Missouri requires hosts to register for a sales tax license and remit taxes monthly or quarterly depending on volume, with payments due by the 20th of the following month. Jefferson County may impose additional transient guest taxes of 1-3% which are collected similarly through county tax systems. Arnold city taxes are typically collected through the city's revenue department with monthly or quarterly filing requirements. Airbnb may collect and remit some of these taxes automatically for hosts in certain jurisdictions, but hosts remain responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable local, county, and state tax obligations. Exemptions may apply for stays exceeding 30 consecutive days or for certain government or non-profit travelers, though specific exemption criteria vary by jurisdiction and hosts should verify current requirements with Missouri Department of Revenue, Jefferson County, and Arnold city tax authorities.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Arnold, Missouri is approximately $195,000-$225,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at $150,000-$175,000 based on median home prices in the area as of 2023-2024. Furnishing costs typically range $8,000-$12,000 for a complete 2-3 bedroom home including furniture, bedding, kitchen essentials, and décor. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations average $2,000-$3,500. Permits and fees in Jefferson County include business license ($50-$100), occupancy permits ($200-$400), and potential HOA approvals. Insurance costs run $1,200-$2,000 annually for short-term rental coverage beyond standard homeowner's insurance. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable total approximately $500-$800. First six months of operating costs including utilities ($150-$200/month), cleaning services ($75-$100 per turnover), supplies and maintenance ($100-$150/month), platform fees (3% of bookings), and property management if outsourced (20-30% of revenue) can range $3,000-$6,000 depending on occupancy rates and booking frequency.

Airbnb properties in Arnold, Missouri typically generate annual revenues between $15,000-$35,000 for entire home listings, with average daily rates ranging from $75-$120 depending on property size and amenities. Operating expenses generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($30-50 per turnover), utilities ($150-250 monthly), property management (10-20% of revenue), insurance ($800-1,200 annually), and maintenance costs ($2,000-4,000 yearly). Profit margins for successful properties average 25-40% after expenses, with properties near the Meramec River or those offering unique amenities like hot tubs or game rooms commanding premium rates. Success factors include strategic pricing during peak seasons (summer months and local events), professional photography, rapid guest communication, and maintaining 4.8+ star ratings. Properties within 30 minutes of downtown St. Louis attractions perform better, with some hosts like those operating renovated historic homes or modern lakefront properties reporting annual profits of $8,000-$15,000 per unit. The market faces challenges from seasonal demand fluctuations and increasing competition from new hosts, but properties that differentiate through exceptional cleanliness, local guidebooks, and personalized touches maintain occupancy rates of 60-75% annually.

Airbnb investments in Arnold, Missouri typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% based on the suburban St. Louis market dynamics. Properties in Arnold, particularly 3-4 bedroom homes near Jefferson Barracks Park and the Mississippi River, can achieve profitability within 18-24 months given average daily rates of $85-120 and occupancy rates of 65-75%. The market benefits from proximity to downtown St. Louis attractions, Anheuser-Busch brewery tours, and outdoor recreation areas, with investors seeing gross rental yields of 10-14% annually. Initial investment recovery typically occurs within 2-3 years, with properties appreciating at 3-5% annually while generating consistent monthly cash flow of $800-1,500 after expenses, making Arnold a moderately attractive market for short-term rental investments compared to higher-performing Missouri markets like Branson or Lake of the Ozarks.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors looking in Arnold, Missouri. Local real estate agents in the Arnold area who focus on investment properties include Keller Williams Realty Partners, RE/MAX Results, and Coldwell Banker Gundaker, with agents like those at these firms often having experience with Airbnb investment properties since 2018-2020. National services that help investors find profitable Airbnb properties include Mashvisor, which provides rental analysis tools, AirDNA for market data and analytics, Awning for property management and investment guidance, and Roofstock which expanded into short-term rental investments around 2021. Local property management companies in the St. Louis metro area that serve Arnold include RedAwning, AvantStay, and local firms like Gateway Property Management that began offering Airbnb management services around 2019. Investment-focused real estate companies such as BiggerPockets marketplace, Fundrise, and local investment groups in the Missouri area also provide resources and connections for finding profitable short-term rental properties in Arnold and surrounding Jefferson County areas.