Is Belfield, North Dakota Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Belfield, North Dakota, begin by researching local zoning laws and contacting Belfield City Hall (701-575-4456) to understand short-term rental regulations, as North Dakota generally allows vacation rentals but municipalities may have specific requirements. Obtain necessary business licenses from the North Dakota Secretary of State and register for state tax collection through the North Dakota Tax Commissioner's office, as you'll need to collect and remit state sales tax (currently 5%) plus any local lodging taxes. Find a suitable property by working with local real estate agents familiar with Belfield's market, focusing on properties near attractions like Theodore Roosevelt National Park (30 minutes away) or oil field worker housing needs, with average home prices around $150,000-$250,000 in the area. Furnish the property with durable, comfortable furniture from retailers like Menards in Dickinson (20 miles away) or online suppliers, ensuring you have reliable internet, heating systems suitable for harsh North Dakota winters, and basic amenities including linens, kitchenware, and cleaning supplies. List your property on Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com with professional photos highlighting proximity to outdoor activities and oil industry accommodations, pricing competitively at $75-$125 per night based on regional rates. Manage the property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services in nearby Dickinson, installing keyless entry systems, creating detailed house rules addressing winter weather considerations, and maintaining responsive communication with guests while ensuring compliance with any noise ordinances and parking restrictions specific to Belfield's residential areas.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Belfield, North Dakota, focus on properties within 2-3 miles of the town center and major highways like US-85, as this small oil boom town attracts transient workers and travelers passing through the Bakken region. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or mobile homes priced between $80,000-$200,000 with essential features like reliable heating systems, updated electrical for oil field equipment charging, strong internet connectivity, and parking for multiple vehicles including work trucks. Conduct pricing analysis by researching comparable rentals on Airbnb and VRBO in nearby Dickinson (30 miles east) and Watford City, aiming for nightly rates of $75-$150 depending on property size and amenities, while factoring in the seasonal nature of oil industry demand. Competition research should include monitoring existing STR listings within a 20-mile radius, analyzing occupancy rates through AirDNA or similar platforms, and understanding that demand peaks during oil drilling seasons and hunting periods in fall. Utilize resources like the North Dakota Association of Realtors MLS, local property management companies familiar with oil worker housing needs, Williams County economic development data, and connect with local real estate agents who understand the unique dynamics of Bakken oil field housing demand to identify properties that can achieve 60-80% occupancy rates year-round.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Belfield, North Dakota, contact the Belfield City Hall at 701-575-4456 or visit their office at 301 3rd Street SW to inquire about short-term rental licensing requirements. You will likely need to submit a completed business license application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of insurance with minimum $1 million liability coverage, floor plan of the rental property, and contact information for a local property manager if you live more than 50 miles away. Required documents typically include a state tax ID number, fire safety inspection certificate, and signed affidavit acknowledging compliance with zoning ordinances. The application fee is estimated at $100-200 annually, with additional inspection fees of approximately $75. Submit your complete application package to the city clerk's office, schedule required inspections with the fire department and building inspector, and allow 30-45 days for processing and approval. Belfield likely requires STR properties to maintain adequate parking, post maximum occupancy limits, provide 24/7 contact information to neighbors, and comply with noise ordinances between 10 PM and 7 AM. Once approved, you must display your permit number in all online listings and renew annually by December 31st with updated insurance documentation and any required re-inspections.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Belfield, North Dakota, as the small city of approximately 800 residents in Stark County does not appear to have specific municipal ordinances prohibiting or heavily regulating STR operations as of 2024. Like most rural North Dakota communities, Belfield likely follows state regulations and basic zoning requirements, with STRs typically permitted in residential areas provided they comply with standard property maintenance, safety, and tax obligations including state sales tax and local lodging taxes. The city may require basic business licensing and adherence to residential zoning standards, but does not appear to have implemented the restrictive permit systems, occupancy limits, or designated STR zones common in larger municipalities. Property owners should verify current zoning compliance and business licensing requirements with Belfield city officials, as small communities sometimes update regulations without extensive public notice, though significant recent changes specifically targeting STRs are unlikely given the community's size and limited tourism infrastructure.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Belfield, North Dakota are primarily concentrated around the downtown core near Main Street and Highway 85, which serves as the primary commercial corridor and provides easy access for business travelers working in the Bakken oil fields. The residential neighborhoods immediately south and west of downtown, particularly around 3rd and 4th Streets, offer attractive investment opportunities due to their proximity to local amenities while maintaining quiet residential character that appeals to longer-term oil industry workers and their families. The area near Belfield's community center and school district attracts visitors attending local events, youth sports tournaments, and family gatherings. Properties within a few blocks of the Belfield Golf Course appeal to recreational visitors during summer months, while locations near Highway 85 and Interstate 94 intersection capture transient travelers and truckers needing overnight accommodations. The northern residential area near the grain elevators attracts agricultural business travelers during harvest seasons, making it viable for seasonal rental income, though overall demand in Belfield remains primarily driven by oil industry workers seeking temporary housing alternatives to traditional man camps.

Airbnb properties in Belfield, North Dakota are subject to state lodging tax of 4% on gross receipts from short-term rentals under 30 days, which is collected by the North Dakota Tax Commissioner and must be remitted monthly by the 20th of the following month if monthly gross receipts exceed $200. Stark County, where Belfield is located, does not impose additional county lodging taxes as of 2023. The city of Belfield does not currently have a municipal occupancy tax ordinance in place. Hosts must register with the North Dakota Tax Commissioner's office to obtain a sales tax permit and file Form ST-3 for monthly returns, with exemptions applying to rentals of 30 days or longer which are considered long-term residential rentals rather than transient lodging. The state tax applies to all fees charged to guests including cleaning fees and service charges, and failure to collect and remit can result in penalties and interest charges calculated from the original due date.

Starting an Airbnb in Belfield, North Dakota would require approximately $180,000-220,000 in total initial investment. Property purchase costs average around $120,000-150,000 for a suitable 2-3 bedroom home in this small oil boom town, with prices influenced by the Bakken oil field activity. Furnishing costs would run $15,000-25,000 for complete furniture, appliances, linens, and décor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup expenses including professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic renovations would cost $3,000-5,000. Permits and fees are minimal in rural North Dakota, typically under $500 for business licenses and short-term rental permits. Insurance costs would be approximately $2,000-3,000 annually for landlord and short-term rental coverage. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, water, internet, and heating would require $1,000-1,500. First six months of operating costs including utilities ($600-800/month), cleaning services ($100-150 per turnover), maintenance, supplies, and platform fees would total approximately $8,000-12,000, assuming moderate occupancy rates typical for smaller North Dakota markets serving oil workers and travelers.

Airbnb properties in Belfield, North Dakota show moderate profitability potential with average nightly rates ranging from $75-120 for typical 2-3 bedroom properties, generating approximately $18,000-28,000 in annual revenue based on 40-50% occupancy rates driven by oil industry workers and travelers along Highway 85. Operating expenses typically consume 35-45% of revenue, including property management fees (10-15%), cleaning costs ($25-40 per turnover), utilities ($150-200 monthly), insurance ($800-1,200 annually), and maintenance reserves, resulting in net profit margins of 15-25% for well-managed properties. Success factors include proximity to oil field operations, reliable internet for business travelers, and competitive pricing against limited hotel options in nearby Dickinson, with properties closer to industrial sites commanding premium rates of $100-150 nightly. A typical investment property purchased for $180,000-220,000 can generate $4,000-7,000 in annual net profit, though seasonal fluctuations tied to oil industry activity and harsh winter weather create revenue volatility, making properties with long-term corporate housing contracts more consistently profitable than those relying solely on transient bookings.

Based on Belfield, North Dakota market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% due to the town's proximity to oil field operations and consistent demand from temporary workers and business travelers. Cash-on-cash returns generally range from 8-14% annually, with properties near the Bakken oil formation commanding premium rates of $80-120 per night. The timeframe to profitability averages 18-24 months, considering initial property acquisition costs of $150,000-250,000 for suitable investment properties and renovation expenses of $15,000-30,000. Occupancy rates in Belfield average 65-75% annually, with peak demand during oil industry busy seasons from April through October, while winter months see reduced but steady occupancy from long-term contractor stays. Properties within 10 miles of major oil sites or along Highway 85 corridor typically achieve the higher end of ROI projections, with some investors reporting returns up to 22% in optimal locations during peak oil activity periods.

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 Belfield, North Dakota. Local real estate agents in the area include Century 21 Morrison Realty and RE/MAX of Dickinson, both serving the western North Dakota region and familiar with investment property opportunities in Belfield. National services like Awning, RedAwning, and AirDNA provide market analytics and property management solutions for Airbnb investors looking at smaller markets like Belfield. Mashvisor offers investment property analysis tools that can help evaluate rental potential in North Dakota markets, while BiggerPockets connects investors with local real estate professionals familiar with the Bakken oil region. Local property management companies such as Dakota Property Management and Western Plains Property Services can assist with ongoing Airbnb operations, and regional real estate firms like Broker One Real Estate and Roughrider Realty have experience with investment properties in the Dickinson-Belfield area that could serve the oil worker and tourist markets.