Is Bourbon, Missouri Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Bourbon, Missouri, begin by researching Crawford County's zoning regulations and contacting the county clerk's office to determine if short-term rentals are permitted in your desired area, as Missouri generally allows local municipalities to regulate these properties. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from Crawford County (approximately $25-50), register for Missouri state tax collection through the Department of Revenue for the 4.225% state sales tax plus local taxes, and secure appropriate insurance coverage that includes short-term rental protection. Find a suitable property by searching local real estate listings through companies like Coldwell Banker or RE/MAX in the nearby Steelville area, focusing on properties near the Meramec River or Mark Twain National Forest which attract tourists for fishing, floating, and outdoor activities. Furnish the property with essential amenities including comfortable bedding, kitchen supplies, Wi-Fi, and outdoor furniture to capitalize on the area's recreational appeal, budgeting approximately $3,000-8,000 for initial furnishing. Create your Airbnb listing with high-quality photos highlighting proximity to the Meramec River, Bourbon's rural charm, and nearby attractions like Onondaga Cave State Park, setting competitive rates around $75-125 per night based on seasonal demand. Manage your property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, maintaining responsive communication, and considering hiring local cleaning services from the Steelville or Cuba area since Bourbon is a small unincorporated community with limited service providers.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Bourbon, Missouri, focus on properties within 10-15 minutes of Meramec State Park and the Meramec River, as outdoor recreation drives significant tourism to this area. Target 2-4 bedroom cabins, homes with river access, or properties featuring amenities like hot tubs, fire pits, and large outdoor spaces that appeal to families and groups seeking nature retreats. Analyze comparable STR rates using AirDNA and Mashvisor, with successful properties in the area typically commanding $100-200 per night depending on size and amenities, while ensuring purchase prices allow for 15-20% annual returns after expenses. Research competition by monitoring active Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 20-mile radius, noting occupancy patterns peak during spring through fall months when fishing, floating, and camping activities are popular. Utilize tools like AirDNA for market analytics, STR Helper for performance tracking, and connect with local real estate agents familiar with Crawford County's vacation rental regulations, while also consulting the Missouri State Parks website and Meramec River outfitters to understand seasonal tourism patterns that drive demand in this rural market approximately 90 minutes southwest of St. Louis.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Bourbon, Missouri, you must first contact the Crawford County Clerk's office or the City of Bourbon municipal building to determine specific local requirements, as this small city likely follows county regulations for short-term rentals. You will need to submit a business license application, provide proof of property ownership or lease agreement, obtain liability insurance coverage of at least $1 million, submit a floor plan of the rental property, and pass a safety inspection that includes working smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. Required documents typically include a completed STR permit application, property deed or lease, insurance certificate, tax identification number, and contact information for a local property manager if you live more than 50 miles away. The application fee is estimated at $150-300 annually, with additional inspection fees of approximately $75-150. The timeline for approval is typically 30-45 days from submission of complete application materials, though initial inspections may add 1-2 weeks to the process. Bourbon likely requires STR properties to maintain occupancy limits based on bedroom count, provide adequate parking for guests, maintain quiet hours between 10 PM and 7 AM, and display the permit number in all online listings and at the property entrance.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Bourbon, Missouri, as this small unincorporated community in Crawford County operates under Missouri state law, which does not prohibit STRs at the state level. Since Bourbon lacks municipal incorporation, it falls under Crawford County's jurisdiction, which has not implemented specific STR regulations as of 2023. Property owners can typically operate STRs without special permits or licenses, though they must comply with standard zoning regulations, health and safety codes, and tax obligations including Missouri's state sales tax and local lodging taxes where applicable. The area's rural nature and lack of dense residential development means there are fewer neighbor complaints or noise ordinances that might restrict STR operations compared to urban areas. Recent legal changes have been minimal since Crawford County has maintained a hands-off approach to STR regulation, focusing instead on ensuring properties meet basic safety and tax compliance requirements. However, operators should verify current zoning compliance and may need to register with the Missouri Department of Revenue for tax collection purposes.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Bourbon, Missouri are concentrated around the Meramec River corridor and downtown historic district, which attract tourists for fishing, canoeing, and antique shopping, particularly during spring and summer months when outdoor recreation peaks. The residential neighborhoods near Highway 50 offer good potential due to proximity to Sullivan (10 miles east) and its business travelers visiting industrial facilities, while properties within walking distance of Bourbon's small downtown core benefit from visitors attending local festivals and events at the community center. Areas near the railroad tracks and vintage commercial buildings appeal to history enthusiasts and photographers, especially during the annual Heritage Days celebration in September. The rural outskirts along county roads provide opportunities for larger properties targeting family reunions and group retreats, capitalizing on the area's peaceful countryside setting and proximity to Meramec State Park (approximately 20 miles south), which draws significant visitor traffic year-round for camping and hiking activities.

Airbnb properties in Bourbon, Missouri are subject to Missouri state sales tax of 4.225% on lodging accommodations, which applies to short-term rentals under 31 days. Crawford County, where Bourbon is located, may impose an additional local sales tax of approximately 1-3% on lodging, though specific rates vary by municipality. The City of Bourbon may also levy a local lodging or transient guest tax, typically ranging from 2-5%, though smaller municipalities sometimes lack formal lodging tax structures. These taxes are generally collected at the time of booking through Airbnb's automated tax collection system for state and some local taxes, with remittance handled directly by Airbnb to the Missouri Department of Revenue on a monthly basis. Property owners may need to register separately with local authorities for city-specific lodging taxes and remit those directly on a monthly or quarterly basis. Exemptions typically include stays of 31 days or longer, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient accommodations, and some jurisdictions may exempt rentals to permanent residents or government employees on official business.

To start an Airbnb in Bourbon, Missouri, the total estimated costs would be approximately $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase costs around $120,000-$150,000 based on median home prices in rural Missouri counties like Crawford County where Bourbon is located. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property would cost $15,000-$25,000 including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and appliances. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations would be $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees including business license, occupancy permits, and potential zoning approvals would cost $500-$1,500. Insurance including liability and property coverage specifically for short-term rentals would be $2,000-$3,000 annually. Utilities including electricity, water, internet, and cable would average $200-$300 monthly. First six months operating costs including utilities ($1,200-$1,800), cleaning supplies and services ($1,200), maintenance reserves ($1,000), Airbnb platform fees on estimated bookings ($2,000), marketing ($500), and miscellaneous expenses ($1,000) would total approximately $6,900-$8,300. Additional considerations include potential HOA fees, property taxes, and a cash reserve for unexpected repairs or vacancy periods.

Airbnb properties in Bourbon, Missouri, a small unincorporated community in Crawford County, face significant profitability challenges due to limited tourism infrastructure and low population density, with estimated average daily rates of $60-80 generating annual revenues of $8,000-15,000 for properties with 30-40% occupancy rates. Operating expenses typically consume 60-70% of gross revenue, including property management fees (10-15%), cleaning costs ($30-50 per turnover), utilities ($100-200 monthly), insurance ($800-1,200 annually), and maintenance ($1,000-2,000 yearly), resulting in net profit margins of 15-25% or $2,000-4,000 annually for most properties. Success factors in this rural market include proximity to Meramec River recreational activities, competitive pricing below $100 nightly, exceptional cleanliness standards, and targeting niche markets like fishing enthusiasts, hunters, and families seeking rural retreats, though properties within 30 minutes of larger attractions like Meramec Caverns or closer to Interstate 44 corridors perform significantly better with occupancy rates reaching 50-60% and annual profits of $5,000-8,000.

Airbnb investments in Bourbon, Missouri can expect annual ROI of 8-12% based on the rural Missouri market dynamics, with cash-on-cash returns typically ranging from 6-10% depending on property acquisition costs and financing structure. Properties in this small Crawford County community, located near the Meramec River and popular for outdoor recreation, generally achieve profitability within 18-24 months due to moderate property prices averaging $80,000-$150,000 and seasonal demand from tourists visiting nearby state parks and float trip destinations. The market benefits from proximity to Sullivan and St. Louis metropolitan area weekend visitors, with occupancy rates of 45-60% annually and average daily rates of $75-$120, though investors should account for higher vacancy periods during winter months and the need for property management given the rural location.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market research, providing comprehensive data on short-term rental performance in Bourbon, Missouri and surrounding areas. Local real estate agents specializing in investment properties include Keller Williams Lake of the Ozarks (established 2008), RE/MAX Lake of the Ozarks (operating since 2005), and Century 21 Community Realty which has served the region since 1995. National services like Awning (founded 2017), RedAwning Property Management (2009), and Vacasa (2009) offer end-to-end Airbnb investment solutions including property identification, purchase assistance, and management services in the Missouri market. Regional specialists such as Lake Area Investment Properties and Ozarks Vacation Rental Advisors focus specifically on the tourism-heavy areas around Bourbon, while national platforms like Roofstock (2015) and BiggerPockets marketplace connect investors with pre-vetted short-term rental properties. Additional services include AirDNA for market analysis (founded 2015), Mashvisor for investment property search tools (2014), and local property management companies like Show-Me Vacation Rentals and Missouri STR Management that help investors maximize their Airbnb returns in the Bourbon area.