Is Boyce, Louisiana Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Boyce, Louisiana, begin by researching local regulations through the Rapides Parish government offices and Boyce city hall, as Louisiana municipalities typically require short-term rental permits and may have zoning restrictions limiting rentals to certain residential areas. Contact the Rapides Parish Planning Department to verify zoning compliance and obtain necessary permits, which usually include a business license ($50-100), occupancy permit ($75-150), and potentially a short-term rental license ($100-200 annually). Find a suitable property by working with local real estate agents familiar with Boyce's market, focusing on areas near Kincaid Lake or downtown that attract visitors, with properties typically ranging from $80,000-200,000 for suitable homes. Furnish the property with essential amenities including quality mattresses, linens, towels, kitchen appliances, WiFi, and local touches like Louisiana-themed decor, budgeting approximately $8,000-15,000 for a complete furnishing package. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting unique features like proximity to Kincaid Lake Recreation Area or historic downtown Boyce, setting competitive rates around $75-125 per night based on local market analysis. Manage the property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services (typically $40-60 per turnover), maintenance contractors, and consider using property management companies in nearby Alexandria if you're not local, while maintaining compliance with Louisiana's 4.45% state sales tax plus local occupancy taxes that may apply to short-term rentals.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Boyce, Louisiana, focus on properties within 2-3 miles of Kisatchie National Forest and near Rapides Parish recreational areas, as outdoor enthusiasts and hunters drive significant demand in this rural market. Target 2-4 bedroom homes with rustic or cabin-style features, outdoor spaces like decks or fire pits, and modern amenities including high-speed internet, as many guests seek a blend of nature access and comfort. Pricing analysis should consider seasonal hunting periods (October-January) when rates can increase 30-40% above summer baseline rates of $80-120 per night, while monitoring competition from the limited supply of existing STRs and nearby Alexandria properties. Research competitors using AirDNA and Mashvisor to analyze occupancy rates in the 60-75% range typical for rural Louisiana markets, while leveraging local Facebook groups, Rapides Parish tourism boards, and hunting outfitter partnerships to understand demand patterns. Utilize tools like BiggerPockets for investment analysis, STR Helper for revenue projections, and connect with local real estate agents familiar with properties suitable for conversion, focusing on homes under $150,000 that can generate 12-18% annual returns when properly positioned for the outdoor recreation and corporate traveler markets serving nearby Procter & Gamble and other Alexandria-area employers.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Boyce, Louisiana, you must first contact the Rapides Parish Planning and Zoning Department since Boyce falls under parish jurisdiction, typically located at the Rapides Parish Courthouse in Alexandria. Submit a completed short-term rental application along with required documents including property deed or lease agreement, liability insurance certificate (minimum $1 million coverage), floor plan showing maximum occupancy, parking plan, and contact information for a local property manager if you're an absentee owner. Pay the application fee of approximately $150-250 plus annual renewal fees of $100-150. The approval process typically takes 4-6 weeks and includes a property inspection to ensure compliance with fire safety codes, occupancy limits, and parking requirements. Boyce-specific requirements include maintaining quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM, providing adequate off-street parking (typically 2 spaces minimum), posting maximum occupancy limits visibly, and ensuring the property manager can respond to complaints within 30 minutes. You must also register with the Louisiana Department of Revenue for tax collection purposes and may need to obtain a Rapides Parish business license depending on your operation scale.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Boyce, Louisiana, as the small town in Rapides Parish does not have specific municipal ordinances prohibiting them as of 2024. However, operators must comply with Louisiana state regulations including sales tax collection and remittance to the Louisiana Department of Revenue, and potentially obtain a business license from Rapides Parish. The town follows standard zoning regulations that may restrict STRs in certain residential areas, and properties must meet basic safety and health standards. Since Boyce is a small community with limited commercial tourism infrastructure, STR activity is minimal compared to larger Louisiana cities like New Orleans or Baton Rouge that have implemented more comprehensive STR regulations. Property owners should verify current zoning compliance with Rapides Parish planning officials and ensure proper tax registration with the state, as Louisiana has been increasingly focused on STR tax compliance since 2020.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Boyce, Louisiana include the downtown historic district near the Red River, which attracts visitors interested in Louisiana's cultural heritage and riverfront activities, and properties near Kincaid Lake Recreation Area, popular with fishing enthusiasts and outdoor recreation tourists year-round. The area around Camp Beauregard military installation offers strong potential for business travelers and military families seeking temporary housing. Neighborhoods close to Rapides Parish Coliseum benefit from event-driven demand when concerts, trade shows, and sporting events occur. Properties within walking distance of antique shops and local restaurants in the town center appeal to weekend tourists exploring central Louisiana's small-town charm. The residential areas near Boyce Elementary and local churches attract family visitors and those attending regional religious gatherings or school events, while locations with easy access to Highway 165 provide convenience for business travelers heading to Alexandria or other nearby commercial centers.

In Boyce, Louisiana, Airbnb properties are subject to Louisiana state sales tax of 4.45% and local occupancy taxes that vary by parish and municipality, with Rapides Parish (where Boyce is located) typically imposing an additional 2-4% occupancy tax on short-term rentals under 30 days. The state sales tax is collected through Louisiana's Remote Seller Commission system, with hosts required to register if they exceed $100,000 in annual sales or 200 transactions, while local occupancy taxes are generally remitted monthly to the Rapides Parish Tax Collector's office by the 20th of the following month. Airbnb may collect and remit these taxes automatically in some cases through voluntary collection agreements with the state and local jurisdictions, but hosts remain ultimately responsible for compliance and should verify collection status. Exemptions typically apply to stays exceeding 30 consecutive days, rentals to permanent residents, and certain government or non-profit bookings, though documentation requirements apply. Hosts must maintain detailed records of all bookings, tax collected, and payments made, with penalties ranging from 5-25% for late remittance plus interest charges.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Boyce, Louisiana is approximately $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase costs around $120,000-$150,000 based on median home prices in rural Louisiana parishes like Rapides County. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $15,000-$25,000 for quality furniture, appliances, linens, and décor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and marketing materials total $2,000-$3,500. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and tax registration cost approximately $500-$1,200 annually. Insurance for short-term rentals runs $2,500-$4,000 per year, significantly higher than standard homeowner's insurance. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, water, internet, and cable cost $800-$1,500. First six months operating costs including utilities ($1,800), cleaning supplies and services ($1,200), maintenance reserves ($2,000), property management software ($300), and marketing ($500) total approximately $5,800. Additional considerations include potential HOA fees, property taxes averaging $1,200-$2,000 annually, and a recommended cash reserve of $10,000-$15,000 for unexpected repairs and vacancy periods.

Airbnb properties in Boyce, Louisiana, typically generate modest profitability with average daily rates ranging from $75-120 depending on property size and amenities, resulting in monthly revenues of $1,800-3,600 for well-managed properties with 60-80% occupancy rates. Operating expenses generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($30-50 per turnover), utilities ($150-250 monthly), property management (15-25% of revenue), maintenance ($100-200 monthly), and insurance ($100-150 monthly), leaving net profit margins of 20-35% for successful operators. Success factors in this central Louisiana market include proximity to Kisatchie National Forest for outdoor enthusiasts, competitive pricing against nearby Alexandria hotels, professional photography showcasing rural charm, and targeting corporate travelers visiting local businesses like Procter & Gamble's facility or military personnel from nearby bases. A typical 3-bedroom home purchased for $180,000 and generating $2,400 monthly revenue with $1,500 in expenses yields approximately $900 monthly profit or 6% annual return on investment, though properties with unique features like lakefront access or hunting lodge aesthetics can achieve 8-12% returns by commanding premium rates of $150-200 nightly during peak hunting and fishing seasons.

Airbnb investments in Boyce, Louisiana typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, primarily driven by the area's proximity to Alexandria and Kisatchie National Forest which attracts outdoor enthusiasts and business travelers. Properties in Boyce generally achieve profitability within 18-24 months, with average daily rates of $75-95 and occupancy rates around 55-65% annually. The market benefits from lower property acquisition costs averaging $120,000-180,000 for suitable investment properties, while operating expenses typically run 35-45% of gross rental income including cleaning, maintenance, and platform fees. Investors can expect gross rental yields of 12-16% annually, with net returns settling at 8-12% after expenses, making the timeframe to break-even approximately 2-2.5 years for leveraged purchases with 20-25% down payments.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties across markets including Boyce, Louisiana. In the local Boyce and central Louisiana market, real estate agents like those at Century 21 Buelow-Miller Realty and Coldwell Banker Ingle Safari Realty have experience with investment properties and vacation rentals in the area. RE/MAX agents in nearby Alexandria and Pineville also serve the Boyce market and can assist with Airbnb investment properties. National services include Mashvisor, which provides Airbnb analytics and property recommendations, AirDNA for market data and revenue projections, and Awning for full-service Airbnb property management. BiggerPockets marketplace connects investors with local professionals, while Roofstock and Arrived Homes offer turnkey rental property investments. Local property management companies like Louisiana Property Management Group and Central Louisiana Property Services can handle day-to-day operations. Real estate investment firms such as HomeVestors and local investors through Louisiana Real Estate Investors Association (LAREIA) may also provide opportunities or partnerships for Airbnb investments in the Boyce area.