Is Blanding, Utah Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Blanding, Utah, begin by researching local regulations through San Juan County and Blanding City offices, as Utah generally allows short-term rentals but local municipalities may have specific zoning requirements, business license needs, and occupancy limits. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from Blanding City Hall (estimated $50-100), ensure your property meets fire safety codes, and check if a conditional use permit is required for residential areas. Find a suitable property by purchasing or leasing a home in residential zones that allow short-term rentals, focusing on areas near popular attractions like Natural Bridges National Monument or Bears Ears National Monument. Furnish the property with essential amenities including quality bedding, kitchen supplies, WiFi, heating/cooling systems suitable for Utah's climate, and outdoor furniture to take advantage of the area's natural beauty. List your property on Airbnb and other platforms like VRBO, highlighting proximity to national parks, hiking trails, and Four Corners region attractions, with competitive pricing around $80-150 per night based on local market rates. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, responding promptly to inquiries, coordinating key exchanges or lockbox systems, maintaining the property regularly, and ensuring compliance with Utah state tax requirements including collecting and remitting transient room tax to the Utah State Tax Commission.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Blanding, Utah, focus on locations within 10-15 minutes of major attractions like Natural Bridges National Monument, Bears Ears National Monument, and Four Corners Monument, as these drive significant tourist traffic from April through October. Target 2-4 bedroom properties with outdoor amenities like patios, fire pits, or hot tubs that appeal to adventure travelers and families, ensuring reliable internet for remote workers and adequate parking for multiple vehicles and trailers. Analyze pricing by researching comparable STRs on Airbnb and VRBO, aiming for properties under $200,000 that can command $80-150 nightly rates during peak season, with occupancy rates of 40-60% annually generating $25,000-45,000 in gross revenue. Study competition within a 20-mile radius using tools like AirDNA, Mashvisor, and STR Helper to identify market gaps and optimal pricing strategies, while monitoring local regulations through San Juan County planning department since rural Utah markets often have fewer restrictions than urban areas. Leverage resources like Utah's tourism data, National Park Service visitor statistics, and local real estate agents familiar with investment properties to identify emerging neighborhoods near outdoor recreation access points where land costs remain affordable but tourism demand is growing.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Blanding, Utah, you must first contact the Blanding City Planning Department at City Hall located at 50 West 100 South to determine current short-term rental regulations, as many Utah municipalities have implemented STR ordinances since 2020-2022. You'll likely need to submit a conditional use permit application or business license application along with required documents including proof of property ownership or lease agreement, site plan showing parking and access, proof of liability insurance (typically $1 million minimum), emergency contact information for a local representative within 60 minutes of the property, and a floor plan indicating maximum occupancy. Application fees typically range from $100-500 depending on the permit type, with annual renewal fees of $50-200. The approval process generally takes 4-8 weeks and may require a public hearing if a conditional use permit is needed. Blanding-specific requirements likely include compliance with residential zoning standards, adequate off-street parking (usually 1-2 spaces per unit), proper septic and water capacity for increased usage, and adherence to San Juan County health department regulations for rental properties. You must also register with the Utah State Tax Commission for transient room tax collection and remit both state and local taxes, with Blanding's local rate typically around 1-3% in addition to Utah's state rate.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Blanding, Utah, as the city has not enacted specific prohibitions against vacation rentals, though they must comply with standard zoning regulations and business licensing requirements. Properties operating as STRs typically need to obtain a business license from San Juan County and ensure compliance with local zoning ordinances, which may restrict commercial activities in certain residential zones. The city follows Utah state regulations regarding taxation, requiring STR operators to collect and remit transient room taxes and sales taxes. There are no specific prohibited areas designated solely for STR restrictions, but operators must ensure their properties comply with residential zoning requirements and homeowners association rules where applicable. Recent legal changes have been minimal at the local level, though Utah state legislation in 2021 and 2022 has provided more framework for local governments to regulate STRs while preventing outright bans, and Blanding has maintained a relatively permissive approach compared to larger Utah cities like Park City or Moab that have implemented more restrictive regulations.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Blanding, Utah are the Historic Downtown District near Main Street, which attracts visitors exploring the town's pioneer heritage and serves as a convenient base for accessing local restaurants and services; the areas near Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum, popular with archaeology enthusiasts and families interested in Ancestral Puebloan culture; neighborhoods close to the Blanding Airport and Highway 191 corridor, which capture business travelers and those passing through to major attractions; properties within walking distance of the Dinosaur Museum, appealing to families with children and educational tourists; and residential areas on the eastern side of town near the hospital and medical facilities, which attract medical professionals, patients' families, and longer-term visitors. These locations benefit from Blanding's position as a gateway to Bears Ears National Monument, Natural Bridges National Monument, and other Four Corners attractions, creating steady demand from outdoor enthusiasts, cultural tourists, and travelers seeking authentic small-town Utah experiences while exploring the region's archaeological and natural wonders.

Airbnb properties in Blanding, Utah are subject to multiple lodging taxes including Utah's state transient room tax of 1.0% and San Juan County's transient room tax of approximately 3.0%, for a combined rate of around 4.0% on gross rental receipts. These taxes apply to all short-term rental stays of less than 30 consecutive days and are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking through their automated tax collection system, which began in Utah around 2018. Property owners who collect taxes independently must register with the Utah State Tax Commission and San Juan County, file monthly returns by the 20th of the following month, and remit collected taxes accordingly. Exemptions generally include stays of 30 days or longer, rentals to permanent residents, and certain government or charitable organization bookings, though specific exemption criteria should be verified with local tax authorities as regulations can change and may include additional local municipal taxes or tourism promotion fees that vary by jurisdiction within San Juan County.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Blanding, Utah is approximately $285,000-$315,000. Property purchase costs around $220,000-$250,000 based on median home prices in rural southeastern Utah markets. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $15,000-$20,000 for beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and décor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs include $2,000-$3,000 for professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic technology like smart locks and WiFi equipment. Permits and fees total approximately $500-$1,000 including business licenses, short-term rental permits from San Juan County, and tax registrations. Insurance costs $1,500-$2,500 annually for short-term rental coverage beyond standard homeowner's insurance. Utility setup and deposits require $500-$800 for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable services. First six months of operating costs include $8,000-$12,000 covering utilities ($200-300/month), cleaning services ($100-150 per turnover), maintenance supplies ($200/month), property management software ($50/month), and marketing expenses, assuming 40-60% occupancy rates typical for rural Utah vacation rentals near attractions like Natural Bridges National Monument and Bears Ears National Monument.

Airbnb properties in Blanding, Utah, typically generate modest profitability due to the area's proximity to outdoor attractions like Bears Ears National Monument and Natural Bridges National Monument, with average nightly rates ranging from $75-120 for entire homes during peak season (April-October). Properties generally achieve 40-60% occupancy rates annually, generating approximately $18,000-35,000 in gross revenue for well-positioned 2-3 bedroom homes, while expenses including mortgage payments, utilities, cleaning fees, property management, insurance, and maintenance typically consume 60-75% of revenue, leaving net profit margins of 25-40%. Success factors include strategic location within 30 minutes of major attractions, competitive pricing during shoulder seasons, professional photography, and responsive guest communication, with properties featuring amenities like hot tubs, fire pits, or pet-friendly policies commanding premium rates. A typical case study involves a 3-bedroom home purchased for $280,000 in 2019 that generates $28,000 annually in rental income with $19,000 in total expenses, yielding approximately $9,000 net profit (32% margin), though seasonal fluctuations mean properties may see minimal bookings during winter months (November-March) when outdoor recreation diminishes significantly.

Airbnb investments in Blanding, Utah typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, primarily driven by tourism to nearby Bears Ears National Monument and Natural Bridges National Monument. Properties in Blanding generally achieve profitability within 18-24 months, with average daily rates of $85-120 during peak season (April-October) and occupancy rates of 45-60% annually. The market benefits from limited hotel inventory and growing adventure tourism, though seasonal fluctuations significantly impact winter performance with occupancy dropping to 20-30% from November through March. Initial investment costs are relatively low with median property prices around $180,000-250,000, and successful operators typically see gross rental yields of 12-18% before expenses, making Blanding a moderate-return market suitable for investors seeking steady cash flow in Utah's emerging rural tourism destinations.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market research, providing comprehensive data on short-term rental performance in Blanding, Utah. Local real estate agents specializing in investment properties include Coldwell Banker Distinctive Properties and Century 21 agents who understand the Four Corners region market dynamics. National services like Awning, RedAwning, and Vacasa offer end-to-end Airbnb investment solutions including property identification, purchase assistance, and management services. AirDNA provides market analytics specifically for short-term rental investments in southeastern Utah markets. Local property management companies such as Moab Property Management (serving the broader region) and independent agents familiar with San Juan County regulations can assist with identifying properties near attractions like Natural Bridges National Monument and Bears Ears National Monument. BiggerPockets marketplace connects investors with local wholesalers and agents experienced in vacation rental properties. Roofstock and Awning's investment platform occasionally feature southeastern Utah properties suitable for short-term rentals. Local mortgage brokers familiar with investment property financing in rural Utah markets, such as Academy Mortgage and Mountain America Credit Union branches, provide specialized lending services for Airbnb investors targeting this emerging market near major national parks and outdoor recreation areas.