Is Belzoni, Mississippi Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Belzoni, Mississippi, begin by researching local regulations through the Belzoni City Hall (662-247-1922) and Humphreys County offices, as Mississippi generally allows short-term rentals but local ordinances may apply regarding zoning, occupancy limits, and business licenses. Obtain necessary permits including a Mississippi business license through the Secretary of State's office, a local business permit from Belzoni City Hall (estimated $50-150), and ensure compliance with fire safety codes and building inspections. Find a suitable property in residential areas near downtown Belzoni or close to the Yazoo River, considering properties priced between $40,000-80,000 for purchase or $400-800 monthly for rental arbitrage. Furnish the space with essential amenities including reliable internet, air conditioning (crucial for Mississippi summers), quality bedding, kitchen essentials, and local touches highlighting Delta culture and catfish farming heritage. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos, competitive pricing around $60-90 per night based on local market conditions, and emphasize proximity to catfish restaurants, Mississippi River access, and Delta blues history. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, maintaining responsive communication, coordinating with local cleaning services (likely $40-60 per turnover), and ensuring compliance with Mississippi's 7% sales tax on short-term rentals while keeping detailed records for tax purposes.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Belzoni, Mississippi, focus on properties near Catfish Row Museum, downtown historic district, and proximity to Highway 49 for accessibility to Jackson (45 minutes) and Delta attractions. Target 2-3 bedroom homes built after 1980 with modern amenities, full kitchens, reliable HVAC, and outdoor spaces that appeal to catfish festival visitors and Delta tourism. Analyze pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against comparable properties in Yazoo City and Greenwood, aiming for $75-120 nightly rates during peak catfish season (April-October) and $50-80 during off-season. Research competition through Airbnb and VRBO searches within 25-mile radius, noting limited inventory creates opportunity but also indicates smaller market demand. Utilize STR Helper for local regulation compliance, connect with Humphreys County tourism board for event calendars, monitor Mississippi Delta tourism trends through Visit Mississippi, and consider properties that can capture overflow from larger markets like Vicksburg during high-demand periods while maintaining competitive advantage through authentic Delta cultural experiences and fishing access.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Belzoni, Mississippi, you must first contact the Belzoni City Hall at 305 Jackson Street or call (662) 247-1922 to inquire about short-term rental regulations, as the city may require a business license and special use permit for STR operations. Required documents typically include a completed business license application, property deed 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're not residing within 50 miles of Belzoni. The business license fee is estimated at $50-100 annually, with an additional special use permit fee of approximately $100-200, and you may need to pay a $25 application processing fee. Submit your application to the City Clerk's office along with all required documentation and fees, then schedule any required property inspections with the building department to ensure compliance with fire safety, occupancy limits, and zoning requirements. The approval timeline typically takes 2-4 weeks from submission of a complete application, though this may extend to 6-8 weeks if planning commission review is required. Belzoni-specific requirements likely include maintaining the property in accordance with residential neighborhood standards, providing adequate parking spaces, ensuring proper waste management, and potentially limiting the maximum number of guests based on bedroom count and septic system capacity.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Belzoni, Mississippi are generally legal as the city does not have specific ordinances prohibiting them, operating under Mississippi's permissive state framework that allows local municipalities to regulate STRs. Belzoni, a small city in Humphreys County with approximately 2,000 residents, has not implemented comprehensive STR regulations as of 2024, meaning operators typically need only standard business licenses and must comply with basic zoning requirements that generally allow residential rentals in most areas. The city has not designated prohibited zones for STRs, though operators must adhere to standard property maintenance codes, tax obligations including Mississippi's 7% sales tax on rental income, and any applicable homeowners association restrictions. Recent legal changes have been minimal at the local level, with the state legislature in 2021-2022 considering various STR regulatory frameworks that would standardize requirements across Mississippi municipalities, but Belzoni has maintained its relatively hands-off approach, making it one of the more permissive jurisdictions for STR operations in the state, though property owners should verify current business license requirements with the city clerk and ensure compliance with fire safety and occupancy standards.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Belzoni, Mississippi would be the historic downtown district near the Catfish Capital Visitor Center and Highway 49 corridor, which attracts visitors to the annual World Catfish Festival and serves as a gateway to the Mississippi Delta region. The residential neighborhoods near Belzoni High School and the municipal complex offer proximity to local events and government business travel. Areas close to the Yazoo River and nearby agricultural facilities can capture agritourism visitors and business travelers in the farming and aquaculture industries that dominate the region. The neighborhoods around Silver City and the northern residential areas provide access to both local attractions and serve as a base for visitors exploring the broader Mississippi Delta cultural heritage sites, with properties near these locations benefiting from the area's reputation as the "Catfish Capital of the World" and its role in Delta blues and agricultural tourism.

Airbnb properties in Belzoni, Mississippi are subject to Mississippi state sales tax of 7% on lodging accommodations, which applies to short-term rentals under 30 days. The Mississippi Department of Revenue requires hosts to register for a sales tax permit and collect this tax from guests at the time of booking or check-in. Hosts must remit collected taxes monthly if monthly gross proceeds exceed $20,000, or quarterly if below this threshold, filing returns by the 20th of the month following the reporting period. Belzoni, located in Humphreys County, does not impose additional local lodging taxes beyond the state requirement. The city may require a business license for short-term rental operations, typically costing $25-50 annually. Exemptions include stays of 30 days or longer, which are considered long-term rentals and not subject to the transient lodging tax. Hosts should maintain detailed records of all bookings, tax collected, and remittances, as the Mississippi Department of Revenue conducts periodic audits of short-term rental operators to ensure compliance with state tax obligations.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Belzoni, Mississippi is approximately $95,000-$125,000. Property purchase costs around $65,000-$85,000 based on the median home price in rural Mississippi Delta communities. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $8,000-$12,000 for essential furniture, appliances, linens, and décor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, basic renovations, and cleaning supplies total $2,000-$3,500. Permits and fees are minimal in small Mississippi towns, typically $200-$500 for business licenses and short-term rental permits. Insurance including landlord coverage and short-term rental protection costs $1,200-$1,800 annually. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, water, internet, and cable run $300-$500. First six months operating costs including utilities ($150/month), cleaning between guests ($40 per turnover), maintenance, supplies, and platform fees total approximately $3,000-$4,500 assuming moderate occupancy rates of 40-50% typical for rural Mississippi markets.

Airbnb properties in Belzoni, Mississippi face significant profitability challenges due to the town's small population of approximately 2,100 residents and limited tourism infrastructure. Properties in this rural Delta region typically generate $200-400 monthly revenue with occupancy rates around 15-25%, well below the national average of 48%. Operating expenses including utilities ($80-120/month), cleaning fees ($40-60 per turnover), insurance ($150-200/month), and maintenance ($100-150/month) often exceed gross revenues, resulting in negative profit margins of -10% to -30% for most operators. Success factors are extremely limited but may include targeting fishing enthusiasts visiting nearby Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge, agricultural workers, or travelers seeking budget accommodations between Jackson and Greenville. Properties near Highway 49 or those offering unique experiences like farm stays show marginally better performance, with break-even scenarios possible only for hosts who personally manage cleaning and maintenance while keeping nightly rates between $45-65. The lack of major attractions, corporate travel, or event-driven demand makes Belzoni one of the least viable markets for Airbnb investment in Mississippi, with most successful hosts treating properties as supplemental income rather than primary investments.

Based on Belzoni, Mississippi market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% depending on property acquisition costs and renovation investments. Properties in this rural Delta region averaging $40,000-$80,000 purchase price can expect monthly gross revenues of $800-$1,500 from short-term rentals, primarily driven by fishing tourism along the Mississippi River and business travelers. After accounting for operating expenses including utilities, cleaning, maintenance, insurance, and platform fees totaling approximately 40-50% of gross revenue, net annual returns stabilize around $3,000-$6,000 per property. Most investors achieve break-even within 18-24 months and reach full profitability by year 3, though initial renovation costs of $10,000-$25,000 for rural properties can extend payback periods. The limited local competition and growing agritourism market support occupancy rates of 45-65% annually, with peak seasons during spring fishing months and fall hunting periods driving premium nightly rates of $75-$125.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market data, providing comprehensive tools for identifying profitable short-term rental opportunities in Belzoni, Mississippi. Local real estate agents like Century 21 J.C. Penny Real Estate and Coldwell Banker Alfonso Realty in nearby Jackson and Yazoo City areas serve the Mississippi Delta region including Belzoni. National services include Awning (formerly RedAwning) which offers full-service Airbnb property management and investment guidance, Mashvisor for rental property analytics, and BiggerPockets for investor networking and deal sourcing. AirDNA provides market data and revenue projections for short-term rentals in smaller Mississippi markets. Local property management companies such as Delta Property Management and Mississippi River Region property managers can assist with ongoing operations. Real estate investment firms like Roofstock and Fundrise occasionally feature Mississippi Delta properties, while local agents at RE/MAX and Keller Williams in Greenwood and Vicksburg also cover the Belzoni market area for investment properties.