Is Barberton, Ohio Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Barberton, Ohio, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Barberton Planning Department, as the city requires short-term rental operators to obtain a business license and comply with residential zoning restrictions that may limit rentals to owner-occupied properties or specific districts. Contact the Summit County Health Department for any required health permits and ensure compliance with Ohio state tax requirements including the 5.75% sales tax on lodging. Find a suitable property by searching residential areas near downtown Barberton or close to attractions like Lake Anna Park, ensuring the property meets safety codes including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and proper egress windows. Furnish the space with essential amenities including comfortable bedding, kitchen supplies, WiFi, and local guidebooks highlighting nearby attractions like the Barberton Chicken restaurants and Tuscarawas River access points. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos, competitive pricing around $60-80 per night based on local market rates, and detailed descriptions emphasizing proximity to Akron (10 miles) and Cleveland (45 miles). Manage your property by establishing check-in procedures, maintaining cleanliness standards, responding promptly to guest inquiries, and coordinating with local cleaning services and maintenance providers, while keeping detailed records for tax purposes and monitoring occupancy rates to optimize pricing and availability throughout the year.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Barberton, Ohio, focus on locations within walking distance of downtown attractions, near Magee Marsh Wildlife Area for nature tourism, and properties with easy highway access to Akron (15 minutes away) and Cleveland (45 minutes). Target 2-4 bedroom homes built after 1950 with updated kitchens, multiple bathrooms, parking spaces, and outdoor amenities like patios or fire pits that appeal to families and business travelers. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against comparable properties in nearby Akron and Green, aiming for nightly rates between $80-150 depending on size and amenities. Research competition by analyzing existing Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 5-mile radius, noting occupancy rates, guest reviews, and seasonal demand patterns, particularly during summer months when Lake Erie tourism peaks. Utilize tools like Rabbu, BiggerPockets market analysis, and local MLS data through Zillow or Realtor.com, while connecting with Barberton-specific Facebook groups and the Barberton Chamber of Commerce for insider market knowledge and networking opportunities with local real estate agents familiar with investment properties.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Barberton, Ohio, you must first contact the Barberton Building Department at City Hall located at 576 West Park Avenue to determine current short-term rental regulations, as many Ohio municipalities have implemented or are developing STR ordinances since 2020-2022. You will likely need to submit an application form along with required documents including proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of occupancy, fire safety inspection certificate, general liability insurance policy (typically $1 million minimum), floor plan of the rental unit, and contact information for a local property manager if you live more than 50 miles away. The application fee is estimated at $100-300 initially with potential annual renewal fees of $50-150. You may also need to obtain a business license from the city clerk's office, register with the Ohio Department of Commerce for tax collection purposes, and ensure compliance with zoning requirements (many cities restrict STRs to certain residential zones or require conditional use permits). The approval timeline typically ranges from 30-90 days depending on inspection scheduling and document review. Additional Barberton-specific requirements may include parking provisions (usually 1-2 spaces per unit), occupancy limits based on bedrooms and square footage, noise ordinance compliance, and maintaining a complaint log, though you should verify current regulations directly with city officials as STR laws are frequently updated.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Barberton, Ohio are generally legal but subject to local zoning regulations and licensing requirements. The city requires STR operators to obtain a business license and comply with zoning ordinances that typically restrict short-term rentals in certain residential districts, particularly R-1 single-family zones, while allowing them in commercial and mixed-use areas. Property owners must ensure compliance with fire safety codes, maintain adequate parking, and may face occupancy limits based on the property size. Recent changes around 2022-2023 have seen Barberton implement stricter enforcement of existing regulations rather than outright bans, focusing on addressing neighbor complaints about noise, parking, and property maintenance issues. The city generally allows STRs in multi-family residential zones and commercial districts but requires operators to register with the city and maintain properties according to rental housing standards, with violations potentially resulting in license revocation or fines ranging from $100-500 per violation.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Barberton, Ohio include the historic downtown district near Summit Lake, which attracts visitors interested in the city's rich industrial heritage and proximity to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The neighborhoods around Lake Anna offer scenic waterfront appeal for recreational travelers and families seeking outdoor activities. Areas near the Barberton Municipal Airport and close to major employers like Babcock & Wilcox (historically significant to the area) provide opportunities for business traveler accommodations. The residential districts along Wooster Road and near the Barberton High School area offer family-friendly environments that appeal to visitors attending local events, youth sports tournaments, and family gatherings. Properties within walking distance of the annual Mum Festival venues and the historic Magic City district capitalize on seasonal tourism and cultural events, while locations with easy access to Interstate 76 serve travelers heading to nearby Akron, Canton, or Cleveland, making them attractive for both leisure and business guests seeking affordable alternatives to hotel accommodations in larger metropolitan areas.

Airbnb properties in Barberton, Ohio are subject to Ohio's state lodging tax of 5.75% on gross rental receipts, which applies to all transient accommodations including short-term rentals. Summit County, where Barberton is located, imposes an additional county lodging tax of approximately 3% on transient accommodations. The city of Barberton itself levies a local transient occupancy tax estimated at 3-5% on short-term rental stays under 30 consecutive days. These taxes are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking for properties enrolled in Airbnb's tax collection service, which began around 2019-2020 for Ohio jurisdictions. For properties not covered by Airbnb's automatic collection, hosts must register with the Ohio Department of Commerce, Summit County, and the City of Barberton to obtain the necessary permits and remit taxes monthly or quarterly depending on volume. Exemptions generally apply to stays exceeding 30 consecutive days, certain government and nonprofit travelers, and properties renting fewer than 3 rooms where the owner resides on-site, though specific exemption criteria vary by jurisdiction and hosts should verify current requirements with each taxing authority.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Barberton, Ohio would be approximately $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase costs around $120,000-$140,000 based on median home prices in the area as of 2023-2024. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property would cost $15,000-$25,000 including furniture, appliances, linens, and décor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations would run $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and inspection fees would total approximately $500-$1,500 depending on local regulations. Insurance costs including landlord insurance with short-term rental coverage would be $2,000-$3,000 annually. Utilities setup and deposits for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable would cost around $1,000-$1,500. First six months of operating costs including utilities ($600/month), cleaning services ($100 per turnover, estimated 15 turnovers), maintenance and supplies ($200/month), platform fees (3% of estimated $3,000 monthly revenue), and marketing would total approximately $8,000-$12,000, bringing the complete startup investment to the estimated range.

Airbnb properties in Barberton, Ohio 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 generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($25-40 per turnover), utilities ($80-120 monthly), property management (10-20% of revenue), insurance ($800-1,200 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $100-200 monthly. Net profit margins typically range from 15-35% for successful properties, with annual profits of $2,000-8,000 depending on property type and management efficiency. Success factors in this market include proximity to Akron (8 miles away), competitive pricing below Cleveland rates, professional photography, consistent 4.8+ star ratings, and targeting business travelers visiting nearby industrial facilities like Babcock & Wilcox or medical professionals at Summa Barberton Hospital. Properties near downtown Barberton or with unique amenities like hot tubs or game rooms tend to outperform standard listings, while those requiring significant upfront renovations or located in less desirable neighborhoods struggle to achieve profitable occupancy rates above 50%.

Airbnb investments in Barberton, Ohio typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, based on average property acquisition costs of $80,000-$120,000 and monthly rental income of $800-$1,200 for 2-3 bedroom properties. The market benefits from proximity to Akron and Cleveland, attracting business travelers and visitors to local attractions like Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, with occupancy rates averaging 65-75% annually. Initial profitability typically occurs within 18-24 months after accounting for renovation costs of $15,000-$25,000, property management fees of 10-15%, and operating expenses including utilities, insurance, and maintenance totaling approximately 25-30% of gross rental income. Properties in desirable neighborhoods near downtown Barberton or with unique amenities can achieve higher returns of 12-15% annually, while the relatively affordable real estate market allows for lower barrier to entry compared to major metropolitan areas, making break-even achievable by month 20-30 for well-managed properties with consistent marketing and guest satisfaction ratings above 4.5 stars.

STRSearch is a national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties across markets including Barberton, Ohio. Local real estate agents in the Barberton area who specialize in investment properties include Keller Williams Greater Cleveland Northeast, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, and Century 21 HomeStar agents who focus on the Akron-Barberton market. National services like Mashvisor, AirDNA, and Rabbu provide market analysis and property identification tools for Barberton's rental market. BiggerPockets connects investors with local professionals, while companies like Awning and RedAwning offer property management services for Airbnb investments in the region. Local property management companies such as Summit County Property Management and Akron area vacation rental managers can assist with operations. Real estate investment firms like HomeVestors and local wholesalers often have properties suitable for short-term rental conversion in Barberton's market, which benefits from proximity to Akron and Cleveland tourism.