Is Bellevue, Nebraska Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Bellevue, Nebraska, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Bellevue Planning Department, as the city requires short-term rental operators to obtain a business license and comply with residential zoning restrictions that typically allow rentals in single-family homes with proper permits. Contact Bellevue City Hall at 1510 Wall Street to obtain the necessary business license (approximately $50-100 annually) and ensure your property meets fire safety codes and health department standards. Find a suitable property in residential areas like Haworth Park or near Offutt Air Force Base, which attracts military personnel and their families, with purchase prices ranging from $150,000-$300,000 for typical homes. Furnish the property with essential amenities including Wi-Fi, cable TV, kitchen appliances, linens, and military-friendly features given the proximity to the base, budgeting $8,000-15,000 for complete furnishing. List your property on Airbnb, VRBO, and other platforms with competitive pricing around $75-125 per night based on local market rates, highlighting proximity to Offutt AFB, Fontenelle Forest, and Omaha attractions just 10 miles away. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, responding promptly to inquiries, coordinating key exchanges, and maintaining compliance with Bellevue's noise ordinances and parking requirements while building relationships with local cleaning services and maintenance contractors to ensure smooth operations.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Bellevue, Nebraska, focus on locations near Offutt Air Force Base, the Missouri River waterfront, and downtown Bellevue's historic district, as these areas attract military personnel, business travelers, and tourists visiting local attractions like the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or townhomes built after 1990 with modern amenities, full kitchens, dedicated parking, and outdoor spaces, as these appeal to extended-stay military families and corporate travelers working with companies like PayPal and Fidelity Investments in nearby Omaha. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and STR Helper to benchmark against comparable properties, aiming for nightly rates between $80-150 depending on size and location, while analyzing occupancy rates of existing listings through tools like Mashvisor and AllTheRooms. Research competition by monitoring active Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 3-mile radius, identifying gaps in amenities or underserved areas, particularly focusing on properties that cater to military temporary lodging allowances which typically range $77-96 per night in the Omaha metro area. Utilize local resources including the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce for market insights, Sarpy County property records for investment analysis, and connect with local property management companies like Nebraska Realty or Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices to understand rental regulations and identify off-market opportunities in this growing suburb that benefits from Omaha's economic spillover while maintaining lower property acquisition costs.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Bellevue, Nebraska, you must first contact the Bellevue Planning Department at City Hall located at 2510 Clay Street to determine current zoning compliance and obtain a Conditional Use Permit application, as short-term rentals typically require special approval in residential zones. Required documents include a completed CUP application, property deed or lease agreement, site plan showing parking and property layout, proof of liability insurance (minimum $1 million), fire safety inspection certificate from the Bellevue Fire Department, and a business license from the City Clerk's office. The application fee is approximately $350 for the Conditional Use Permit plus $75 for the business license, with additional inspection fees of around $100. Submit your complete application to the Planning Department, which will schedule a public hearing before the Planning Commission within 30-45 days, followed by City Council review if approved, making the total timeline 60-90 days from submission to final approval. Bellevue-specific requirements include maintaining adequate off-street parking (minimum 2 spaces), ensuring the property meets all residential building codes, providing 24-hour contact information to neighbors and the city, limiting occupancy to 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, and maintaining the property as your primary residence if operating a homestay-style rental, with annual permit renewals required and compliance inspections conducted by city staff.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Bellevue, Nebraska are generally legal but subject to local regulations and zoning restrictions. The city requires STR operators to obtain proper business licenses and comply with residential zoning requirements, which may limit operations in certain residential neighborhoods. Properties must meet safety standards including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and occupancy limits based on square footage. Bellevue prohibits STRs in some single-family residential zones and requires operators to maintain liability insurance and collect applicable taxes. Recent changes around 2022-2023 have included stricter enforcement of noise ordinances and parking requirements, with the city implementing a registration system for STR properties. Operators must also comply with Nebraska state tax collection requirements and may face restrictions on the number of guests and vehicles allowed, with violations potentially resulting in fines or permit revocation.

The most promising Airbnb investment areas in Bellevue, Nebraska include the Olde Towne district near the historic downtown core, which attracts visitors interested in local heritage sites and the Sarpy County Museum, and neighborhoods within a 2-mile radius of Offutt Air Force Base, which generates consistent demand from military families, contractors, and government personnel requiring temporary housing. The area around Bellevue University creates opportunities for visiting families during graduation ceremonies, prospective student tours, and academic conferences throughout the year. Properties near the Missouri River waterfront and Fontenelle Forest nature preserve appeal to outdoor enthusiasts and weekend tourists from Omaha seeking recreational activities. The residential areas along Fort Crook Road and Galvin Road South offer good investment potential due to their proximity to both the air base and major employers like PayPal and other businesses in the greater Omaha metro area, attracting business travelers who prefer more space and amenities than traditional hotels provide.

Airbnb properties in Bellevue, Nebraska are subject to Nebraska state lodging tax of 1% on gross receipts from room rentals, which applies to all short-term rental accommodations under 30 days. The city of Bellevue imposes an additional local lodging tax of approximately 2-4% on short-term rentals, bringing the total occupancy tax burden to roughly 3-5%. These taxes are typically collected by the host at the time of booking or payment and must be remitted to the Nebraska Department of Revenue monthly if collections exceed $3,000 annually, or quarterly for smaller operators. Hosts must register for a Nebraska sales tax permit and file returns even if no tax is owed, with remittance due by the 20th of the month following the reporting period. Exemptions generally apply to rentals exceeding 30 consecutive days, rentals to permanent residents, and certain government or charitable organization bookings, though hosts must maintain proper documentation to claim these exemptions.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Bellevue, Nebraska would be approximately $195,000-$225,000. Property purchase costs around $180,000 based on the median home price in the Bellevue area as of 2023. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property would cost $8,000-$12,000 including beds, living room furniture, kitchen essentials, linens, and decor. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations would be $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and inspection fees would total $500-$800. Insurance including landlord and short-term rental coverage would cost $1,200-$1,800 annually. Utilities setup and deposits for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable would be $300-$500. First six months operating costs including utilities ($600/month), cleaning supplies ($100/month), maintenance reserves ($200/month), and platform fees would total approximately $2,700-$3,600.

Airbnb properties in Bellevue, Nebraska typically generate modest returns with average daily rates ranging from $75-120 depending on property size and amenities, resulting in monthly revenues of $1,800-3,200 for well-performing listings with 60-70% occupancy rates. Operating expenses including mortgage payments, utilities, cleaning fees ($25-40 per turnover), property management (10-20% of revenue), insurance ($1,200-2,000 annually), and maintenance typically consume 65-75% of gross revenue, leaving net profit margins of 15-25% for successful operators. Properties near Offutt Air Force Base and those offering corporate housing tend to outperform leisure-focused rentals, with some hosts like those managing 2-3 bedroom homes near the base reporting annual profits of $8,000-15,000 per property. Success factors include strategic pricing during military training periods, maintaining high cleanliness standards, providing business traveler amenities like WiFi and workspaces, and leveraging Bellevue's proximity to Omaha attractions while keeping operational costs low through efficient cleaning schedules and preventive maintenance, though the market remains competitive with over 150 active listings as of 2024.

Airbnb investments in Bellevue, Nebraska typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, based on average property acquisition costs of $180,000-$250,000 and nightly rates of $75-$120 during peak seasons. The market benefits from proximity to Offutt Air Force Base, which provides consistent demand from military personnel and contractors, along with visitors to nearby Omaha attractions. Properties generally reach profitability within 18-24 months, with occupancy rates averaging 65-75% annually. Higher-end properties near the Missouri River or historic downtown area can achieve 10-14% annual ROI with cash-on-cash returns up to 12%, while standard residential properties in suburban areas typically see more conservative 8-10% returns. The timeframe to break-even on initial investment and renovation costs is typically 2-3 years, with strong performance during summer months and military training periods driving seasonal revenue spikes of 20-30% above baseline rates.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market research tools for investors seeking profitable short-term rental opportunities in Bellevue, Nebraska. Local real estate agents specializing in investment properties include Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Ambassador Real Estate, Nebraska Realty, and CBSHOME Real Estate, with agents like Sarah Johnson and Mike Peterson focusing on rental property investments in the Bellevue area since 2018. National services include Awning (formerly RedAwning) which provides full-service Airbnb property management and investment consulting, Mashvisor offering property analysis tools and market data, and AirDNA providing short-term rental market analytics and revenue projections. Local property management companies such as Omaha Property Solutions and Midwest Rental Management have expanded into short-term rental services around 2020, while national platforms like Vacasa and RedAwning offer comprehensive Airbnb management services in the greater Omaha-Bellevue market. Investment-focused real estate companies including BiggerPockets-affiliated agents and Roofstock have identified Bellevue as an emerging market for short-term rental investments due to its proximity to Offutt Air Force Base and growing tourism sector.