Is Burtonsville, Maryland Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Burtonsville, Maryland, begin by researching Montgomery County's short-term rental regulations, which require hosts to obtain a Short-Term Residential Rental License through the Department of Housing and Community Affairs, costing approximately $150-300 annually, and comply with safety requirements including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. Next, secure your property either by purchasing a home in neighborhoods like Fairland or Briggs Chaney, or obtaining landlord permission if renting, ensuring the property meets county zoning requirements for short-term rentals. Furnish the space with quality basics including comfortable beds, linens, kitchen essentials, WiFi, and local touches highlighting Burtonsville's proximity to Washington D.C. and outdoor attractions like Patuxent River State Park. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos, competitive pricing around $80-150 per night based on local market rates, and highlight nearby attractions such as the National Capital Trolley Museum and easy access to downtown D.C. via Route 29. Finally, manage your property by establishing check-in procedures, maintaining cleanliness standards, responding promptly to guests, and ensuring compliance with Montgomery County's occupancy limits and noise ordinances while collecting and remitting the required 7% county lodging tax plus Maryland's 6% sales tax.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Burtonsville, Maryland, focus on properties within 2-3 miles of major attractions like the National Capital Trolley Museum and close to I-95 for easy access to Washington DC (30 minutes) and Baltimore (45 minutes). Target 3-4 bedroom single-family homes or townhouses built after 1990 with modern amenities, parking for 2+ vehicles, and outdoor spaces, as families visiting the DC metro area represent the primary market. Analyze comparable properties using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify the $150-250 nightly rate sweet spot, ensuring purchase prices stay below $400,000 to maintain healthy cash flow margins. Research competition within a 5-mile radius using Airbnb and VRBO searches, noting that Burtonsville has limited STR inventory compared to urban areas, creating opportunity for well-positioned properties. Utilize Airdna for market data, STR Helper for performance tracking, and connect with local real estate agents familiar with Montgomery County's STR regulations, while monitoring seasonal demand patterns that peak during cherry blossom season (March-April) and summer months when families visit DC area attractions.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Burtonsville, Maryland, you must apply through Montgomery County's Department of Permitting Services since Burtonsville is an unincorporated area within Montgomery County. Begin by submitting an application online through the Montgomery County ePermits portal or in person at 255 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20850. Required documents include a completed short-term rental license application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement with landlord consent, certificate of occupancy, floor plan showing maximum occupancy, proof of liability insurance ($1 million minimum), emergency contact information, and parking plan. You must also obtain a use and occupancy permit if the property wasn't previously used for residential rental purposes. The application fee is approximately $200-300 with additional inspection fees of $100-150. The timeline typically ranges from 4-8 weeks depending on inspection scheduling and any required corrections. Specific Burtonsville requirements include compliance with Montgomery County's R-200 or R-90 zoning regulations, maximum occupancy limits based on bedroom count and square footage, mandatory smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, adequate parking spaces (typically 2 per unit), and adherence to noise ordinances. Properties must pass health and safety inspections, maintain current business licenses, and comply with tax registration requirements through the Maryland Comptroller's office.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Burtonsville, Maryland are subject to Montgomery County regulations, which generally allow STRs but with significant restrictions. As of 2023, Montgomery County requires STR operators to obtain a license and comply with zoning requirements, with STRs typically prohibited in certain residential zones unless they meet specific criteria such as being owner-occupied or located in approved areas. The county has implemented occupancy limits, parking requirements, and noise restrictions, while also requiring operators to collect and remit taxes. Burtonsville, being an unincorporated area in Montgomery County, falls under these county-wide regulations rather than having separate municipal rules. Recent changes in Montgomery County have included stricter enforcement mechanisms and updated licensing requirements that took effect around 2022-2023, with the county taking a more regulated approach compared to earlier years when STR oversight was more limited. Property owners in Burtonsville must verify their specific zoning designation and comply with all county licensing, safety, and operational requirements before operating an STR.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Burtonsville, Maryland include the neighborhoods near Fairland Regional Park and the areas along US Route 29 (Colesville Road), which attract visitors due to proximity to outdoor recreation facilities, hiking trails, and easy access to both Washington DC (30 minutes) and Baltimore (45 minutes) for business travelers. The residential areas near Burtonsville Crossing shopping center are attractive because they offer convenient amenities while maintaining lower property costs compared to closer-in DC suburbs, appealing to families visiting the region and government contractors working at nearby facilities. Properties near the Intercounty Connector (ICC/Route 200) corridor are particularly valuable as they provide quick access to major employment centers in Rockville, Bethesda, and Silver Spring, making them ideal for extended-stay business travelers and consultants working with federal agencies, biotechnology companies like those in the I-270 corridor, and defense contractors. The areas closer to Spencerville Road benefit from proximity to the Agricultural Research Center and appeal to visiting researchers, while neighborhoods near Good Hope Road attract visitors to the National Capital Radio & Television Museum and those seeking affordable alternatives to expensive DC-area hotels.

In Burtonsville, Maryland, Airbnb hosts are subject to Maryland state sales tax at 6% on short-term rental income, which applies to stays under 30 consecutive days. Montgomery County, where Burtonsville is located, imposes an additional transient occupancy tax of 7% on short-term rentals, bringing the total tax rate to approximately 13%. These taxes are typically collected from guests at the time of booking through Airbnb's automated tax collection system, which remits payments directly to the state and county on behalf of hosts for properties enrolled in their tax collection service. For hosts not using Airbnb's collection service, they must register with the Maryland Comptroller's office and Montgomery County's Department of Finance to collect and remit taxes monthly or quarterly depending on volume. The state sales tax applies to the rental rate plus any cleaning fees or service charges, while the county occupancy tax applies to the room rate only. Exemptions may include stays of 30 days or longer, rentals to certain government employees on official business, and properties rented for fewer than 15 days per year by the owner, though hosts should verify current exemption criteria with local tax authorities as regulations can change.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Burtonsville, Maryland is approximately $485,000-$535,000. Property purchase costs around $425,000 based on median home prices in the area as of 2023. Furnishing a 3-bedroom property requires $15,000-$25,000 for quality furniture, bedding, kitchenware, and decor suitable for short-term rentals. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, smart locks, and welcome amenities total $2,000-$3,000. Montgomery County permits and business license fees range from $500-$1,200, while short-term rental registration and inspections add another $300-$500. Annual insurance premiums for short-term rental coverage cost $2,500-$4,000, with the first year paid upfront. Monthly utilities including electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable average $300-$400, totaling $1,800-$2,400 for six months. First six months operating costs including cleaning services at $75 per turnover (assuming 50% occupancy with 3-day average stays), property management software subscriptions, restocking supplies, maintenance reserves, and marketing expenses add approximately $3,500-$5,000. Additional considerations include a 20% down payment requirement of $85,000 and closing costs of $8,000-$12,000, bringing the total initial investment to this range.

Airbnb properties in Burtonsville, Maryland typically generate annual revenues between $18,000-$35,000 for entire homes, with average daily rates ranging from $85-$140 depending on property size and amenities. Operating expenses generally consume 40-55% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($40-60 per turnover), property management (15-25% of revenue), utilities ($150-250 monthly), insurance ($800-1,200 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $2,000-4,000 yearly. Net profit margins typically range from 25-40% for well-managed properties, with successful hosts in the area reporting annual profits of $8,000-$18,000 per property. Key success factors include proximity to Washington D.C. (30-minute drive), competitive pricing during peak seasons (spring/fall), maintaining 4.8+ star ratings, and targeting business travelers and families visiting nearby attractions like the National Agricultural Research Center. Properties with dedicated workspaces and family-friendly amenities perform 15-20% better than basic listings, while hosts who respond within an hour achieve 12% higher booking rates and can command premium pricing in this suburban Maryland market.

Based on Burtonsville, Maryland market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% depending on property type and initial investment. Single-family homes in the $400,000-$600,000 range can expect gross rental yields of 12-18% annually, with net returns after expenses (cleaning, maintenance, property management, taxes) settling around 8-11%. Properties generally reach profitability within 12-18 months, with break-even occurring around month 14-16 for most investors. The proximity to Washington D.C. (approximately 30 miles) drives consistent demand from business travelers and tourists, with average daily rates of $120-$180 and occupancy rates of 65-75% throughout the year. Higher-end properties ($600,000+) may see slightly lower percentage returns but stronger cash flow, while smaller condos and townhomes under $400,000 can achieve higher percentage returns of 10-14% annually with faster payback periods of 10-14 months.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for Airbnb investors and provides market analysis for areas like Burtonsville, Maryland. Local real estate agents in the Montgomery County area who work with investors include Keller Williams Capital Properties agents, RE/MAX Realty Services professionals, and Long & Foster agents who understand the Burtonsville market dynamics. National services that help investors include Mashvisor for property analysis, AirDNA for market data and revenue projections, Awning for full-service Airbnb property management, RedAwning for vacation rental market insights, and Vacasa which provides property management services in the Maryland region. Local property management companies serving Burtonsville include AvantStay, which manages short-term rentals in the DC metro area, and various independent property managers who specialize in Montgomery County vacation rentals. Investment-focused real estate companies like BiggerPockets-affiliated agents and local investor meetup groups in the Washington DC metropolitan area also provide resources for finding profitable Airbnb properties in suburban Maryland markets like Burtonsville.