Is Ashland, Ohio Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Ashland, Ohio, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Ashland City Planning Department, as Ohio municipalities typically require short-term rentals to comply with residential zoning requirements and may need special permits or business licenses. Contact Ashland City Hall at 1175 E Main Street to obtain necessary permits, which likely include a business license, occupancy permit, and potentially a short-term rental permit, with fees typically ranging $50-200. Find a suitable property in residential areas that allow short-term rentals, focusing on neighborhoods near Ashland University or downtown areas, with property costs averaging $80,000-150,000 for a 2-3 bedroom home. Furnish the property with essential amenities including comfortable beds, linens, towels, kitchen supplies, WiFi, and safety equipment like smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, budgeting approximately $5,000-10,000 for complete furnishing. List your property on Airbnb and other platforms like VRBO, setting competitive rates around $75-125 per night based on local market analysis, and create an attractive listing with professional photos highlighting proximity to Ashland University and local attractions. Manage the property by establishing check-in procedures, maintaining cleanliness standards, responding promptly to guests, and ensuring compliance with Ohio's 7% sales tax and local lodging taxes, while considering hiring local cleaning services and property management companies if needed for ongoing operations.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Ashland, Ohio, focus on locations within walking distance of Ashland University campus, downtown Main Street, and near Brookside Park, as these areas attract students, visiting families, and tourists year-round. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or duplexes built after 1950 with updated kitchens, reliable Wi-Fi capability, parking spaces, and outdoor areas, as these features appeal to university visitors and small groups exploring the region. Analyze pricing by researching comparable Airbnb listings in the $80-150 per night range, considering seasonal fluctuations during university events, graduation, and fall foliage season, while calculating potential annual revenue against acquisition costs and renovation expenses. Study competition by monitoring existing STR listings within a 3-mile radius of downtown Ashland, identifying gaps in amenities or target markets, and noting occupancy rates during peak periods like Ashland University homecoming and local festivals. Utilize tools like AirDNA and Mashvisor for market analysis, Zillow and Realtor.com for property searches, the Ashland County Auditor's website for property tax information, and connect with local real estate agents familiar with investment properties, while ensuring compliance with Ashland's zoning regulations and any STR licensing requirements through the city planning department.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Ashland, Ohio, contact the Ashland City Planning Department at City Hall located at 1175 E Main Street or call 419-289-8634 to begin the application process. Required documents typically include a completed short-term rental application form, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, floor plan of the rental unit, proof of liability insurance (minimum $1 million coverage), contact information for a local property manager if you live more than 50 miles away, and a $100-150 application fee. Additional requirements may include a fire safety inspection by the Ashland Fire Department ($75-100 fee), compliance with zoning regulations (STRs are generally permitted in residential zones with restrictions), maximum occupancy limits based on square footage and bedrooms, provision of adequate parking spaces, and maintaining a guest registry. The approval timeline is typically 30-45 days from submission of a complete application, and permits must be renewed annually for approximately $50-75. Properties must meet all building and safety codes, maintain quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM, and display the permit number in all advertising, with violations subject to fines ranging from $250-500 per incident.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Ashland, Ohio, as the city has not enacted comprehensive prohibitive ordinances against vacation rentals as of 2023. However, STR operators must comply with standard zoning regulations, business licensing requirements, and health department standards that apply to rental properties. The city requires STRs to obtain proper business licenses and adhere to residential zoning restrictions, which may limit operations in certain neighborhoods or require conditional use permits in some zones. Properties must meet building codes, fire safety standards, and occupancy limits, with parking requirements typically enforced. Recent years have seen increased scrutiny from the city council regarding noise complaints and neighborhood character preservation, leading to discussions about potential registration requirements and operational standards, though no major restrictive legislation has been passed. STR operators should verify current zoning compliance for their specific property location and maintain proper insurance coverage, as enforcement has become more active since 2022 following resident concerns about property management and neighborhood impacts.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Ashland, Ohio include the downtown historic district near Main Street, which attracts visitors to Ashland University events, local festivals, and the historic downtown shopping area. The neighborhoods surrounding Ashland University campus are particularly lucrative due to consistent demand from visiting families during graduation ceremonies, parents' weekends, and sporting events throughout the academic year. The residential areas near Brookside Park and the Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center draw business travelers and families visiting for youth sports tournaments and conferences. Properties within walking distance of the Ashland Symphony Orchestra venue and near the Johnny Appleseed Festival grounds see seasonal spikes in bookings during summer events and cultural activities. The quiet residential neighborhoods along Claremont Avenue and near Myers Avenue offer attractive options for longer-term stays from business professionals working with local manufacturing companies like Samaritan Hospital staff and contractors, while still being close enough to downtown amenities to appeal to leisure travelers exploring Ohio's rural tourism offerings.

In Ashland, Ohio, Airbnb hosts are subject to both state and local lodging taxes. Ohio imposes a state lodging tax of 5.75% on short-term rental accommodations, which applies to stays of less than 30 consecutive days. Ashland County levies an additional local lodging tax of 3%, bringing the total occupancy tax rate to approximately 8.75%. These taxes are typically collected by the host from guests at the time of booking or check-in and must be remitted to the Ohio Department of Taxation monthly if collections exceed $1,000 annually, or quarterly for smaller operators. Hosts must register for a vendor's license with the state and file returns using Form ST-1. The local portion is remitted to Ashland County's tax administrator. Exemptions generally apply to stays exceeding 30 consecutive days, rentals to permanent residents, and accommodations provided to certain government employees or tax-exempt organizations. Airbnb may collect and remit these taxes automatically in some cases through their platform, but hosts remain ultimately responsible for compliance and should verify that all applicable taxes are being properly collected and remitted to avoid penalties and interest charges.

To start an Airbnb in Ashland, Ohio, expect total costs around $180,000-$220,000. Property purchase costs approximately $140,000-$160,000 based on median home prices in the area. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property runs $15,000-$25,000 including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and décor. Initial setup costs $3,000-$5,000 covering professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic renovations. Permits and fees total $500-$1,500 including business license, short-term rental permit, and potential zoning approvals. Insurance adds $2,000-$3,000 annually for short-term rental coverage beyond standard homeowner's insurance. Utilities average $200-$300 monthly including electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable. First six months operating costs reach $8,000-$12,000 covering utilities ($1,800), cleaning services ($2,400), supplies and maintenance ($2,000), marketing ($1,000), and platform fees assuming 60% occupancy. Additional considerations include property taxes around $2,800 annually and potential property management fees of 15-25% if outsourced.

Airbnb properties in Ashland, Ohio typically generate modest profitability with average daily rates ranging from $75-120 depending on property size and amenities, resulting in monthly revenues of $1,800-3,600 for well-managed properties with 60-70% occupancy rates. Operating expenses generally consume 40-50% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($30-50 per turnover), utilities ($150-250 monthly), property management (10-20% of revenue), insurance ($100-200 monthly), and maintenance costs ($200-400 monthly). Properties near Ashland University command premium rates during academic events and graduation weekends, with some hosts reporting annual profits of $8,000-15,000 on single-family homes after mortgage payments. Success factors include proximity to the university, professional photography, competitive pricing during peak demand periods like Homecoming and Parents' Weekend, and maintaining super-host status through consistent 4.8+ ratings. A typical 3-bedroom home generating $2,400 monthly revenue with $1,200 in expenses and $800 mortgage payment yields approximately $400 monthly profit, though seasonal fluctuations during summer months when students are absent can reduce occupancy to 40-50%, making location and diversified guest targeting crucial for sustained profitability in this smaller Ohio market.

Airbnb investments in Ashland, Ohio typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% based on current market conditions. Properties in Ashland average $80,000-$120,000 purchase prices and can command $65-$85 per night during peak seasons, with occupancy rates around 45-55% annually due to proximity to Ashland University and regional attractions. Initial investment including furnishing and setup costs approximately $15,000-$25,000 beyond purchase price, with most investors reaching profitability within 18-24 months. The market benefits from consistent student housing demand, university events, and recreational visitors to nearby Mohican State Park, though seasonal fluctuations occur with lower winter occupancy. Net annual income typically ranges $4,000-$8,000 after expenses including property management, utilities, maintenance, and platform fees, making break-even achievable by month 20-28 for most properly managed properties in desirable neighborhoods near campus or downtown areas.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for Airbnb investors, offering comprehensive market analysis and property recommendations in Ashland, Ohio. Local real estate agents like Coldwell Banker King Thompson in nearby Mansfield and RE/MAX Stars Realty serve the Ashland County area and can assist with Airbnb investment properties. National services include Mashvisor, which provides Airbnb analytics and property search tools, AirDNA for market data and revenue projections, and Awning for turnkey Airbnb investment properties. RedAwning offers property management and investment services for short-term rentals, while BiggerPockets connects investors with local professionals. Local property management companies like Ohio Valley Property Management and Ashland Property Services can handle day-to-day operations. Additional national platforms include Roofstock for rental property investments, Fundrise for real estate crowdfunding, and RentSpree for property search and management tools that can be adapted for Airbnb investments in the Ashland market.