Is Bowling Green, Ohio Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Bowling Green, Ohio, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Bowling Green Planning and Zoning Department, as the city requires short-term rental operators to obtain a business license and comply with residential zoning restrictions that may limit rentals to no more than 30 days. Contact the Wood County Health Department for any required health permits and ensure compliance with Ohio state tax requirements by registering with the Ohio Department of Taxation for lodging taxes. Find a suitable property in residential zones that allow short-term rentals, focusing on areas near Bowling Green State University or downtown for higher demand, with typical startup costs ranging $15,000-$30,000 for a one-bedroom unit. Furnish the space with essential amenities including Wi-Fi, cable TV, kitchen appliances, linens, and cleaning supplies, ensuring all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors meet Ohio building codes. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting proximity to BGSU campus, local attractions like the Wood County Historical Center, and downtown restaurants, setting competitive rates around $60-$120 per night based on local market analysis. Manage your property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, maintaining responsive communication with renters, coordinating key exchanges or installing smart locks, and keeping detailed records for tax purposes while monitoring local occupancy rates and adjusting pricing seasonally to maximize revenue during university events and football games.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Bowling Green, Ohio, focus on locations within 2-3 miles of Bowling Green State University campus, downtown areas near restaurants and entertainment, and properties with easy highway access to I-75 for business travelers. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or condos built after 1980 with modern amenities, full kitchens, dedicated parking, and outdoor spaces, as these appeal to visiting families and university guests. Conduct pricing analysis by researching comparable Airbnb listings in the $80-150 nightly range, calculating potential monthly revenue against mortgage and operating costs, aiming for 15-20% annual returns. Research competition using AirDNA and Mashvisor to analyze occupancy rates, seasonal demand patterns around BGSU academic calendar and local events, and identify underserved property types or locations. Utilize tools like Zillow and Realtor.com for property searches, the Wood County Auditor's website for property tax information, BGSU's event calendar for demand forecasting, and connect with local property management companies like BG Property Management for market insights and operational support.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Bowling Green, Ohio, contact the Bowling Green Building Department at City Hall located at 304 North Church Street or call (419) 354-6204 to begin the application process. You'll need to submit a completed short-term rental application form, provide proof of property ownership or lease agreement, submit a site plan showing parking arrangements, obtain a business license from the city clerk's office, and provide proof of liability insurance with minimum $1 million coverage. Required documents include a valid Ohio driver's license, property deed or lease, floor plan of the rental unit, and contact information for a local property manager if you live more than 50 miles away. The application fee is approximately $150 with an annual renewal fee of $75, and you may need additional inspections costing $50-100. The approval timeline typically takes 4-6 weeks after submitting a complete application. Bowling Green requires STR properties to maintain adequate off-street parking (minimum 2 spaces), limit occupancy to 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, maintain quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM, and display the permit number in all advertising. Properties must also comply with fire safety codes, have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and the owner or designated local contact must be available 24/7 for emergency response within a 30-minute timeframe.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Bowling Green, Ohio, but operate under the city's existing zoning and business licensing requirements as of 2024. The city does not have specific STR regulations like larger municipalities, so properties must comply with standard residential zoning laws and obtain appropriate business licenses. STRs are typically permitted in residential areas as long as they don't violate noise ordinances, parking requirements, or occupancy limits, though commercial zoning may have different restrictions. Property owners should register their rental business with the city and ensure compliance with fire safety codes and health department regulations. Unlike some Ohio cities such as Columbus or Cincinnati that have implemented comprehensive STR ordinances with registration systems and specific operational requirements, Bowling Green has maintained a more permissive approach while still requiring basic business compliance. Recent years have seen increased scrutiny of STRs statewide, but Bowling Green has not enacted major regulatory changes, though this could evolve as the market grows and potential neighborhood concerns arise.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Bowling Green, Ohio are the Historic Downtown District near Main Street, which attracts visitors to local restaurants, shops, and cultural events while serving business travelers to the city center; the University District surrounding Bowling Green State University, offering consistent demand from visiting families during graduation, orientation, and sporting events, plus academic conferences year-round; the Woodland Mall/Interstate 75 corridor area, which captures travelers passing through on I-75 and visitors to regional shopping and dining establishments; and the residential neighborhoods near Wintergarden/Wooster Street, which provide a quieter setting for families visiting the university or attending youth sports tournaments at local facilities. These areas benefit from BGSU's 19,000+ student population driving family visits, the city's position as a regional hub for northwest Ohio, and proximity to Toledo (30 minutes) for overflow accommodation during major events at the Glass City.

In Bowling Green, Ohio, Airbnb hosts are subject to both state and local lodging taxes. The Ohio state lodging tax is 5.75% and applies to all short-term rental stays under 30 days, collected automatically by Airbnb for properties in participating jurisdictions and remitted directly to the state. Wood County, where Bowling Green is located, imposes an additional 3% transient occupancy tax on lodging accommodations, which hosts must typically collect from guests and remit quarterly to the Wood County Auditor's office by the 15th of January, April, July, and October. The City of Bowling Green may impose its own municipal lodging tax of approximately 2-3%, though this varies and hosts should verify current rates with the city's tax department. Combined, hosts can expect total lodging taxes of around 10.75% on gross rental income. Exemptions typically include stays of 30 days or longer, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient lodging, and accommodations provided to permanent residents. Hosts must register with local tax authorities, maintain detailed records of all bookings and tax collections, and file regular returns even if no tax is owed during a reporting period.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Bowling Green, Ohio would be approximately $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase costs around $150,000-$180,000 based on median home prices in the area as of 2023-2024. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property would cost $8,000-$12,000 including beds, sofas, dining sets, appliances, linens, and decor. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations would be $2,000-$3,500. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and inspection fees would total $500-$800. Insurance for short-term rental coverage would cost $1,200-$1,800 annually. Utilities including electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable would run $200-$300 monthly or $1,200-$1,800 for six months. First six months operating costs including cleaning services, supplies, maintenance, platform fees (Airbnb charges 3% host fee), marketing, and miscellaneous expenses would total approximately $3,500-$5,000, assuming moderate occupancy rates during the initial period.

Airbnb properties in Bowling Green, Ohio typically generate annual revenues between $8,000-$18,000 for entire homes and $4,000-$10,000 for private rooms, with average daily rates ranging from $45-85 depending on proximity to Bowling Green State University and seasonal demand. Operating expenses generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($25-40 per turnover), utilities ($80-150 monthly), property management (10-20% of revenue), insurance ($800-1,500 annually), and maintenance costs ($1,000-3,000 yearly). Properties within walking distance of BGSU campus achieve the highest occupancy rates of 65-80% during the academic year, with hosts like those operating near Wooster Street reporting net profit margins of 25-35% annually. Success factors include strategic pricing during university events like homecoming and graduation, maintaining high cleanliness standards, and offering amenities appealing to visiting parents and business travelers, with the most profitable properties being well-maintained 2-3 bedroom homes purchased for $80,000-120,000 that generate 12-18% annual returns on investment after accounting for mortgage payments and all operating expenses.

Airbnb investments in Bowling Green, Ohio typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, primarily driven by Bowling Green State University's student population and visiting families. Properties near campus or downtown areas can achieve occupancy rates of 65-75% annually, with average daily rates between $75-120 depending on property size and amenities. Initial profitability usually occurs within 12-18 months after accounting for startup costs, furnishing, and marketing expenses. Two to three-bedroom properties perform best, generating approximately $2,000-3,500 monthly gross revenue during peak academic periods (September-May), while summer months see reduced demand at 40-50% occupancy. Total investment recovery typically occurs within 6-8 years, with properties appreciating 3-5% annually in the local market, making the combined rental income and appreciation yield attractive returns for investors willing to manage seasonal fluctuations tied to the university calendar.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors looking in Bowling Green, Ohio. Local real estate agents who focus on investment properties include Coldwell Banker King Thompson, RE/MAX Associates, and Keller Williams Greater Columbus Realty, with agents like those at Wood County Properties having specific knowledge of the Bowling Green market for rental investments. National services that help investors include Awning (formerly RedAwning), which provides market analysis and property management for short-term rentals, BiggerPockets for networking and deal finding, Roofstock for turnkey rental properties, and AirDNA for market data and analytics. Local property management companies such as BG Property Management and Wood County Rental Services can assist with ongoing operations, while national companies like AvantStay and RedAwning offer full-service solutions for Airbnb property acquisition and management in smaller Ohio markets like Bowling Green.