Is Burkesville, Kentucky Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Burkesville, Kentucky, begin by researching local regulations through Cumberland County's planning and zoning office, as Burkesville typically doesn't have specific short-term rental ordinances but may require business licenses and compliance with residential zoning laws. Contact the Cumberland County Clerk's office at (270) 864-3726 to obtain necessary business permits and verify tax requirements, including Kentucky's 6% sales tax and potential local occupancy taxes. Find a suitable property by working with local real estate agents like Century 21 or Coldwell Banker, focusing on homes near Green River or downtown Burkesville that offer tourist appeal, with average property prices ranging $80,000-$150,000. Furnish the property with essential amenities including quality bedding, kitchen supplies, WiFi, and local touches highlighting Cumberland County's outdoor recreation opportunities, budgeting approximately $5,000-$15,000 for initial furnishing. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos showcasing the property's proximity to Green River Lake State Park and Dale Hollow Lake, setting competitive rates around $75-$125 per night based on local market analysis. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, responding promptly to inquiries, coordinating with local cleaning services like those found through Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce, and maintaining relationships with nearby maintenance contractors for quick repairs, while ensuring compliance with Kentucky's innkeeper laws and maintaining proper insurance coverage through providers familiar with short-term rental properties.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Burkesville, Kentucky, focus on properties within 2-3 miles of Barren River Lake and Dale Hollow Lake, as these water recreation areas drive significant seasonal demand from April through October. Target 3-4 bedroom homes with 2+ bathrooms, outdoor spaces like decks or fire pits, boat parking capabilities, and updated kitchens since guests often prefer cooking during lake vacations. Analyze comparable STR rates using AirDNA and Mashvisor, with successful properties typically earning $100-180 per night during peak season and $60-100 off-season, aiming for properties under $200,000 to maintain healthy profit margins. Research competition by monitoring existing Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 10-mile radius, noting that properties with lake views, hot tubs, or game rooms command premium rates of 20-30% above standard rentals. Utilize tools like Rabbu and STRAnalytics for market analysis, partner with local property management companies like Lake Country Rentals for operational insights, and connect with Cumberland County tourism boards to understand seasonal booking patterns, while ensuring compliance with local zoning regulations since some residential areas restrict short-term rentals.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Burkesville, Kentucky, contact the Cumberland County Clerk's Office at 306 Courthouse Square or call (270) 864-3726, as Burkesville operates under county jurisdiction for business licensing. You'll need to submit a completed business license application, property deed or lease agreement, certificate of occupancy, liability insurance documentation (minimum $1 million coverage), fire safety inspection certificate from the local fire department, and septic/well water testing results if applicable. The application fee is typically $50-75 for the initial business license plus $25-50 for inspections, with annual renewal fees of $35-50. The process generally takes 30-45 days from submission to approval, including scheduling required inspections for fire safety, building code compliance, and health department review. Burkesville-specific requirements include maintaining guest registries for at least two years, ensuring adequate parking (minimum two spaces), installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in all sleeping areas, providing emergency contact information to neighbors within 200 feet, and limiting occupancy to no more than two guests per bedroom with a maximum of eight total guests, while also ensuring the property meets Kentucky's tourism accommodation standards and obtaining a Kentucky sales tax permit through the Department of Revenue.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Burkesville, Kentucky, as the city does not appear to have specific municipal ordinances prohibiting them as of 2024. However, operators must comply with Kentucky state regulations and Cumberland County requirements, which typically include business licensing, tax registration with the Kentucky Department of Revenue for transient room taxes, and adherence to health and safety codes. The city likely requires STR operators to obtain a business license and may have zoning restrictions that limit rentals to certain residential areas, though enforcement appears minimal in this small rural community of approximately 1,500 residents. Property owners should verify compliance with any homeowners association rules and ensure proper insurance coverage, as Kentucky state law generally defers STR regulation to local municipalities, and Burkesville has not implemented the restrictive measures seen in larger Kentucky cities like Louisville or Lexington that have established registration systems, occupancy limits, and designated prohibited zones.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Burkesville, Kentucky are the downtown historic district near the courthouse square, which attracts visitors interested in the town's Civil War history and antique shopping, and properties along the Cumberland River waterfront, which draw fishing enthusiasts, boaters, and outdoor recreation tourists year-round. The area near Dale Hollow Lake (approximately 15 miles south) offers excellent potential due to its popularity with vacationers, fishing tournaments, and water sports activities, particularly during summer months when lake tourism peaks. Properties within walking distance of the Burkesville Marina and boat launches perform well due to consistent demand from anglers targeting the Cumberland River's renowned smallmouth bass fishing. The residential areas along KY-61 and KY-90 near the town center provide good investment opportunities as they offer easy access to local restaurants, the historic courthouse, and serve business travelers visiting the county seat for legal or government purposes, while maintaining the small-town charm that attracts weekend getaway visitors from Nashville and Louisville metro areas.

Airbnb properties in Burkesville, Kentucky are subject to Kentucky's state transient room tax of 1% on gross rental receipts, which applies to all short-term rental accommodations under 30 days. Cumberland County, where Burkesville is located, does not impose a separate county-level occupancy tax as of 2023. The city of Burkesville does not currently have a municipal lodging tax ordinance in place. Kentucky's 1% transient room tax is typically collected by the host and remitted quarterly to the Kentucky Department of Revenue using Form 51A111, with payments due by the last day of the month following each quarter (April 30, July 31, October 31, and January 31). Airbnb may collect and remit this tax automatically for hosts in Kentucky through their platform since 2019. Exemptions include rentals to permanent residents (30+ days), rentals to government employees on official business, and certain charitable organizations. Hosts should register with the Kentucky Department of Revenue for a transient room tax account if not using Airbnb's automatic collection service, and maintain records of all rental transactions for at least four years.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Burkesville, Kentucky would be approximately $95,000-$125,000. Property purchase costs around $75,000-$95,000 based on median home prices in rural Kentucky markets. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $8,000-$12,000 for essential furniture, bedding, kitchen supplies, and decor from retailers like IKEA, Wayfair, and local stores. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations total $2,000-$3,500. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and safety inspections cost $300-$800 depending on local regulations. Insurance for short-term rental coverage adds $1,200-$2,000 annually. Utility deposits and connections for electricity, water, internet, and cable cost $500-$800. First six months operating costs including utilities ($150/month), cleaning supplies ($50/month), maintenance reserves ($100/month), platform fees (3% of bookings), and marketing budget total approximately $3,000-$4,500, assuming moderate occupancy rates of 40-60% in this rural Kentucky market.

Airbnb properties in Burkesville, Kentucky show moderate profitability potential with average daily rates ranging from $75-120 for typical 2-3 bedroom homes, generating monthly revenues of $1,800-3,200 during peak seasons (spring through fall) when Cumberland River activities and Dale Hollow Lake tourism drive demand. Operating expenses typically consume 40-50% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($40-60 per turnover), property management (15-25%), utilities ($150-250/month), insurance ($100-150/month), and maintenance costs averaging $200-400 monthly. Net profit margins generally range from 15-25% annually, with successful properties achieving $8,000-15,000 in annual profit on investments of $80,000-150,000 for modest lakefront or river-access homes. Success factors include proximity to water recreation areas, reliable internet for remote workers, and maintaining 4.5+ star ratings through consistent cleanliness and local amenities knowledge. Properties within 10 miles of Dale Hollow Lake or offering fishing access typically outperform urban listings by 20-30%, though seasonal fluctuations mean winter occupancy often drops to 30-40% of summer levels, requiring hosts to budget for lower revenue periods from December through February.

Airbnb investments in Burkesville, Kentucky typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, based on the rural tourism market and proximity to Dale Hollow Lake recreational activities. Properties averaging $80,000-$120,000 purchase price can expect gross rental income of $12,000-$18,000 annually, with occupancy rates around 45-60% during peak fishing and boating seasons from April through October. After accounting for operating expenses, property management fees of 15-25%, maintenance, insurance, and taxes, net annual returns generally fall between $6,000-$10,000 per property. Most investors reach profitability within 18-24 months, with seasonal cabins and lake-adjacent properties commanding premium rates of $85-$140 per night during summer months, while off-season rates drop to $45-$75 per night, making the investment viable for those targeting outdoor recreation tourists visiting Cumberland County's natural attractions.

STRSearch is a national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties across markets including Burkesville, Kentucky. For local expertise, Kentucky Lake Realty and Cumberland County Real Estate have agents familiar with vacation rental opportunities in the Burkesville area, particularly near Dale Hollow Lake which attracts tourists year-round. National services like Awning, RedAwning, and Vacasa provide market analysis and property management services that can help identify profitable Airbnb investments in smaller Kentucky markets. AirDNA and Mashvisor offer data analytics specifically for short-term rental investments and have coverage in Kentucky markets including rural areas like Cumberland County. Local agents such as those at Century 21 Cumberland Realty and Coldwell Banker McMahan Co. understand the regional tourism patterns around Dale Hollow Lake and can identify properties with strong rental potential. BiggerPockets marketplace and Roofstock also occasionally feature Kentucky investment properties suitable for Airbnb conversion, while companies like AvantStay focus on larger markets but provide consulting for emerging destinations like Burkesville that benefit from lake tourism and outdoor recreation activities.