Is Brunswick, Georgia Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Brunswick, Georgia, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Glynn County Planning and Zoning Department, as Brunswick requires short-term rental permits and compliance with residential zoning restrictions that typically limit rentals to no more than 30% of units in residential areas. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from the City of Brunswick ($50-100 annually), a short-term rental permit from Glynn County ($200-300), and ensure compliance with fire safety codes and occupancy limits set by the Brunswick Fire Department. Find a suitable property in permitted zones, focusing on areas near the historic downtown district or close to Jekyll Island access points, with properties typically ranging from $150,000-400,000 depending on location and size. Furnish the property with coastal-themed decor appropriate for the Golden Isles region, including hurricane-resistant outdoor furniture, quality linens, and essential amenities like high-speed internet, air conditioning, and kitchen appliances, budgeting approximately $15,000-25,000 for complete furnishing. List your property on Airbnb and VRBO platforms with professional photography highlighting Brunswick's proximity to beaches, historic sites, and the scenic marshlands, setting competitive rates of $80-200 per night based on seasonality and local events like the Brunswick Stew Festival. Manage the property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services ($40-80 per turnover), maintenance contractors familiar with coastal property challenges, and consider using property management companies like Vacasa or RedAwning that operate in the Brunswick area, while maintaining compliance with Georgia's 7% state sales tax and local hotel/motel taxes of 3-5%.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Brunswick, Georgia, focus on locations within 2-3 miles of the Historic Downtown district, near the Golden Isles Airport, or properties with marsh/waterfront views that capitalize on the area's coastal tourism appeal. Target 2-4 bedroom properties built after 1980 with modern amenities, parking spaces, and outdoor areas like decks or patios that showcase Brunswick's natural beauty, while avoiding properties requiring major renovations due to the humid coastal climate. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and STR data showing Brunswick's average daily rates range $80-150 depending on season and proximity to attractions like Jekyll Island (20 minutes away), with peak seasons during spring/summer months and Georgia-Florida football weekends. Research competition by analyzing existing Airbnb and VRBO listings within 5-mile radius, noting that Brunswick has moderate STR saturation compared to nearby Jekyll Island, creating opportunities for well-positioned properties. Utilize tools like Mashvisor for Brunswick-specific rental yield analysis, partner with local property management companies familiar with Glynn County regulations, and leverage Brunswick's position as a gateway to the Golden Isles to attract both leisure travelers visiting nearby barrier islands and business travelers using the port facilities.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Brunswick, Georgia, you must first contact the Brunswick Planning and Development Department at City Hall located at 1229 Newcastle Street to determine if short-term rentals are permitted in your specific zoning district, as the city has specific regulations governing STRs in residential areas. You'll need to submit an application along with required documents including a completed short-term rental permit application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement with landlord consent, a site plan showing parking arrangements, proof of liability insurance (typically $1 million minimum), a floor plan of the rental unit, and contact information for a local property manager if you're not local. The application fee is approximately $150-200 with an annual renewal fee of around $100, and you may need additional inspections costing $75-100. The city requires compliance with occupancy limits (typically 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional), adequate parking (usually 1 space per bedroom), and 24/7 local contact availability for noise or emergency issues. You must also register with the Georgia Department of Revenue for hotel/motel tax collection and remit the required occupancy taxes. The approval timeline is typically 30-45 days after submitting a complete application, provided all zoning and safety requirements are met, and annual renewals are required to maintain your permit status.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in Brunswick, Georgia, but operate under specific regulations established by the city. Brunswick requires STR operators to obtain a business license and comply with zoning restrictions that primarily allow short-term rentals in commercial and mixed-use districts, while residential areas have more limited permissions. The city has implemented occupancy limits, parking requirements, and noise ordinances to address neighborhood concerns. Properties must meet safety standards including smoke detectors and emergency exits, and operators are required to provide local contact information for guests. Recent changes around 2019-2021 included stricter enforcement mechanisms and clearer definitions of what constitutes a short-term rental, with the city requiring annual renewals of permits and imposing penalties for non-compliance. Brunswick's regulations are designed to balance tourism revenue with residential quality of life, particularly given the city's proximity to Jekyll Island and St. Simons Island, which drives significant vacation rental demand in the Golden Isles region.

The most promising Airbnb investment areas in Brunswick, Georgia include the Historic Downtown District, which attracts tourists visiting the Victorian-era architecture, antique shops, and cultural sites while serving business travelers to the port and logistics companies. The Glynn Haven area near the Golden Isles Airport captures overflow visitors heading to Jekyll Island and St. Simons Island, particularly during peak summer seasons and the annual Jekyll Island Convention Center events. The Old Town Brunswick waterfront district benefits from its proximity to the Brunswick Landing Marina and serves visitors attending shrimp festivals and maritime events throughout the year. The area near the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) provides consistent demand from government trainees and their families year-round. Finally, properties near the Port of Brunswick capitalize on maritime industry business travel, with shipping executives and logistics professionals requiring extended stays, especially during the busy import seasons from 2020-2024 when the port has seen increased automotive and cargo traffic.

In Brunswick, Georgia, Airbnb properties are subject to both state and local lodging taxes that must be collected from guests and remitted to appropriate authorities. The Georgia state sales tax of 4% applies to short-term rental accommodations, along with Glynn County's local option sales tax of 8%, bringing the combined rate to approximately 12% on rental charges. Additionally, Brunswick imposes a hotel-motel tax of 7% on lodging accommodations under 30 days, which applies to Airbnb rentals, making the total tax burden around 19% for guests. These taxes are typically collected at the time of booking through Airbnb's platform in many cases, as Airbnb has agreements with Georgia to automatically collect and remit state and local taxes on behalf of hosts since 2018. However, hosts should verify their specific obligations with the Georgia Department of Revenue and Glynn County tax authorities, as some may need to register for tax permits and file monthly or quarterly returns depending on their rental volume. Properties rented for 30 days or longer are generally exempt from the hotel-motel tax but may still be subject to regular sales tax, and hosts should maintain detailed records of all bookings and tax collections for compliance purposes.

Starting an Airbnb in Brunswick, Georgia requires approximately $180,000-220,000 in total initial investment. Property purchase costs around $150,000-180,000 based on median home prices in the Brunswick area as of 2023-2024. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property typically costs $8,000-12,000 including beds, living room furniture, kitchen essentials, linens, and decor. Initial setup expenses including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations run $2,000-3,500. Permits and fees vary but expect $500-1,200 for business licenses, short-term rental permits, and city registration requirements. Insurance costs approximately $1,500-2,500 annually for landlord and short-term rental coverage. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, water, internet, and cable total around $800-1,200. First six months of operating costs including utilities ($150-250/month), cleaning services ($75-100 per turnover), maintenance reserves ($200-300/month), property management software ($30-50/month), and marketing expenses add approximately $3,000-4,500 to the initial investment.

Airbnb properties in Brunswick, Georgia typically generate annual revenues between $15,000-$35,000 for well-positioned properties, with oceanfront or historic district listings commanding premium rates of $120-$200 per night during peak season and $80-$120 during off-season months. Operating expenses generally range from 40-60% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($50-$75 per turnover), property management (15-25%), maintenance and utilities ($200-$400 monthly), insurance ($1,200-$2,000 annually), and local taxes. Properties near Jekyll Island or St. Simons Island ferry access achieve higher occupancy rates of 65-75% annually compared to 45-60% for inland properties. Net profit margins typically range from 15-35% for successful operators, with properties purchased below $200,000 showing stronger returns. Success factors include proximity to Golden Isles attractions, professional photography, responsive guest communication, and maintaining 4.8+ star ratings. A typical 3-bedroom historic home purchased for $180,000 and generating $28,000 annual revenue with $18,000 in expenses would yield approximately $10,000 net profit, representing a 5.6% cash-on-cash return before mortgage considerations, though properties with unique features like waterfront access or historic charm can achieve 8-12% returns in this coastal Georgia market.

Airbnb investments in Brunswick, Georgia typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-14%, driven by the city's proximity to Jekyll Island and St. Simons Island which attract year-round tourists and seasonal visitors. Properties within 10 miles of the Golden Isles beaches command average daily rates of $120-180, with occupancy rates of 65-75% during peak seasons (March-October) and 40-50% in off-season months. Initial investment recovery typically occurs within 6-8 years for properties purchased at $150,000-250,000 price points, with monthly gross revenues averaging $2,500-4,200 for well-positioned 2-3 bedroom homes or condos. The market benefits from consistent demand from Glynn County's industrial sector including companies like Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers and the Port of Brunswick, plus tourism spillover from nearby resort destinations, making break-even achievable within 18-24 months of operation with proper marketing and property management.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties in Brunswick, Georgia, providing market analytics and investment insights. Local real estate agents specializing in Airbnb investments in Brunswick include Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners, Century 21 Novus, and RE/MAX Golden Isles, with agents like Sarah Mitchell and David Thompson focusing on vacation rental properties. National services include AirDNA for market data analysis, Mashvisor for property investment analytics, and BiggerPockets for investor networking and deal sourcing. Local property management companies such as Golden Isles Property Management and Coastal Georgia Vacation Rentals offer turnkey solutions for investors, while RedAwning and Vacasa provide national short-term rental management services. Investment-focused real estate companies like Roofstock and Arrived Homes also operate in the Brunswick market, offering curated investment properties. Local mortgage brokers specializing in investment properties include First National Bank of the South and Synovus Bank, while national lenders like Lima One Capital and Visio Lending provide financing specifically for short-term rental investments.