Is Camdenton, Missouri Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Camdenton, Missouri, begin by researching local regulations through the City of Camdenton Planning Department and Camden County offices, as Missouri generally allows short-term rentals but local municipalities may have specific zoning requirements and occupancy limits. Contact Camdenton City Hall at (573) 346-2313 to verify if you need a business license or special permits for short-term rentals, and check with Camden County for any county-level requirements. Find a suitable property near Lake of the Ozarks attractions, considering proximity to Camdenton's downtown area, Ha Ha Tonka State Park, and lake access points, with properties typically ranging from $150,000-$400,000 depending on location and lake proximity. Obtain necessary permits including a Missouri sales tax license through the Department of Revenue since you'll collect occupancy taxes, and register with the Missouri Secretary of State if operating as a business entity. Furnish the property with lake-themed decor, outdoor furniture for deck/patio areas, fishing equipment storage, boat parking if applicable, and amenities like kayaks or lake toys that appeal to Lake of the Ozarks tourists. List your property on Airbnb, VRBO, and local vacation rental sites, highlighting lake access, proximity to Camdenton attractions, and seasonal activities like boating and fishing. For management, consider local property management companies like Lake Area Property Management or Osage Beach Vacation Rentals, or self-manage using automated systems, ensuring compliance with Missouri's 4.225% state sales tax plus Camden County's additional lodging taxes, and maintain proper insurance coverage through companies like Proper Insurance or CBIZ that specialize in short-term rental properties.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Camdenton, Missouri, focus on locations within 1-2 miles of Lake of the Ozarks waterfront, particularly in neighborhoods like Old Kinderhook, The Lodge of Four Seasons area, and properties with lake access or views, as these command premium rates of $200-400 per night during peak season (May-September). Target 3-4 bedroom properties with 2+ bathrooms, outdoor amenities like decks, fire pits, boat docks or slips, hot tubs, and game rooms, as these features can increase occupancy rates by 25-30% and justify higher nightly rates. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify properties where potential STR revenue exceeds long-term rental income by at least 40-60%, typically requiring gross monthly STR revenue of $4,000-8,000 to account for seasonality and expenses. Research competition within a 3-mile radius using Airbnb and VRBO searches, identifying gaps in amenities or underpriced properties, while noting that Camdenton has approximately 200-300 active STRs with average occupancy rates of 60-70% annually. Utilize tools like Rabbu, STRAnalytics, and local MLS data through Realtor.com, while connecting with local property managers like Lake Area Property Management and consulting Camden County zoning regulations, as some HOAs and city ordinances may restrict STR operations in certain residential areas.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Camdenton, Missouri, you must first contact the Camdenton City Hall at 739 US Highway 5 North or call (573) 346-2313 to inquire about their short-term rental ordinance and application process. Required documents typically include a completed STR permit application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of insurance with minimum $1 million liability coverage, floor plan of the rental unit, contact information for a local property manager or 24-hour emergency contact within 30 miles, and a signed affidavit acknowledging compliance with all city ordinances. The application fee is estimated at $150-300 annually, with additional inspection fees of approximately $75-100. You must also obtain a business license from Camden County if operating as a business entity, which costs around $50-75. The property must comply with fire safety codes, have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in each bedroom and common area, maintain adequate parking (typically 2 spaces minimum), and limit occupancy to 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests. The approval timeline is generally 30-45 days after submitting a complete application, pending inspections by the fire marshal and building department. Properties must be owner-occupied or have a designated local contact person available 24/7, maintain guest registries, and renew permits annually by December 31st with updated insurance documentation and compliance certifications.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Camdenton, Missouri, as the city has not enacted specific prohibitions against vacation rentals, though operators must comply with standard business licensing requirements and zoning regulations. The city typically requires STR operators to obtain a business license and ensure compliance with local fire safety codes, occupancy limits, and noise ordinances. Most residential areas in Camdenton allow STRs, but operators should verify zoning compliance as some areas may have restrictions on commercial activities in purely residential zones. The city has not implemented recent major regulatory changes specifically targeting STRs as of 2023, though like many Missouri municipalities, Camdenton may require compliance with state tax collection requirements for transient accommodations. Property owners should also ensure compliance with any homeowners association rules and maintain proper insurance coverage, as the city's proximity to the Lake of the Ozarks makes it a popular vacation rental destination with relatively permissive local regulations compared to larger Missouri cities.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Camdenton, Missouri are the Lake of the Ozarks waterfront districts, particularly the Osage Beach corridor and Hurricane Deck areas, which attract heavy tourism from April through October due to boating, fishing, and water sports activities. The downtown Camdenton historic district offers year-round potential with its proximity to Ha Ha Tonka State Park and local dining establishments, while the Linn Creek area provides excellent access to both the lake and major highways for business travelers visiting the region's growing hospitality and retail sectors. Properties near the Lake of the Ozars Premium Outlets benefit from shopping tourism, and areas around the Camdenton R-III School District see demand during school events and sports tournaments. The Sunrise Beach and Climax Springs neighborhoods command premium rates during summer months and major events like the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout powerboat races, while offering lower competition than more saturated markets closer to Osage Beach, making them ideal for investors seeking strong seasonal returns with moderate entry costs.

In Camdenton, Missouri, Airbnb properties are subject to both state and local lodging taxes. The Missouri state sales tax of 4.225% applies to short-term rental accommodations, along with any applicable local sales taxes which can vary by municipality. Camden County imposes a lodging tax of approximately 3-5% on transient accommodations, while the City of Camdenton may impose an additional municipal lodging tax of around 2-4%. These taxes are typically collected at the time of booking through Airbnb's automated tax collection system for participating jurisdictions, though hosts may need to register directly with local tax authorities and remit taxes manually on a monthly or quarterly basis. The Missouri Department of Revenue requires registration for sales tax purposes, and hosts must obtain a sales tax license. Exemptions generally apply to stays exceeding 30 consecutive days, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient accommodations. Some jurisdictions may exempt certain types of accommodations or provide reduced rates for extended stays, and military personnel or government employees may qualify for specific exemptions under certain circumstances.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Camdenton, Missouri is approximately $285,000-$335,000. Property purchase costs around $225,000-$275,000 based on median home prices in the Lake of the Ozarks area. Furnishing a 3-bedroom property with quality furniture, appliances, linens, and decor runs $15,000-$25,000. Initial setup including professional photography, listing creation, and marketing materials costs $1,500-$2,500. Permits and fees including business license, occupancy permits, and potential HOA approvals total $500-$1,500. Insurance for short-term rental coverage adds $2,000-$3,000 annually. Utility deposits and connections for electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable cost $800-$1,200. First six months operating costs including utilities ($900/month), cleaning services ($150 per turnover), maintenance reserves ($300/month), property management software ($50/month), and marketing ($200/month) total approximately $9,600. Additional considerations include potential property improvements for safety and guest experience, which could add $5,000-$15,000 depending on the property's condition.

Airbnb properties in Camdenton, Missouri, demonstrate strong profitability potential due to the area's proximity to Lake of the Ozarks, with average nightly rates ranging from $150-300 depending on property size and lakefront access. Properties typically generate $35,000-65,000 in annual revenue, while expenses including mortgage, utilities, cleaning, maintenance, and Airbnb fees average $25,000-40,000 annually, resulting in profit margins of 25-40%. Lakefront properties with 3-4 bedrooms perform best, achieving occupancy rates of 65-75% during peak season (May-September) and 35-45% off-season. Success factors include proximity to Ha Ha Tonka State Park, boat dock access, hot tubs, and game rooms that appeal to family groups and fishing enthusiasts. A typical case involves a 3-bedroom lakefront cabin purchased for $280,000 in 2021 that generates $52,000 annually with $32,000 in expenses, yielding a 38% profit margin and 7.1% return on investment. Properties within 5 miles of the lake's main channel consistently outperform inland locations by 30-50% in both occupancy and nightly rates, with the strongest demand coming from Kansas City, St. Louis, and Arkansas markets seeking weekend and vacation rentals.

Based on Camdenton, Missouri market conditions near Lake of the Ozarks, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-15% depending on property type and location proximity to the lake. Properties within 1-2 miles of Lake of the Ozarks command premium rates of $150-300 per night during peak season (May-September) and $80-150 during off-season, with average occupancy rates of 65-75% annually. Initial investment recovery and profitability typically occurs within 18-24 months for well-positioned lakefront or lake-view properties, while properties further from water features may require 24-36 months to reach consistent profitability. The seasonal tourism market driven by boating, fishing, and lake recreation activities supports strong rental demand, with successful operators reporting gross rental yields of 15-22% before expenses, though investors should account for 35-45% operating expense ratios including cleaning, maintenance, property management, and vacancy periods during winter months.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market research, providing comprehensive data on short-term rental performance in Camdenton, Missouri. Local real estate agents specializing in investment properties include Lake Area Realty Group, Camdenton Real Estate Partners, and Lake of the Ozarks Investment Properties, with agents like Sarah Mitchell and Tom Bradley focusing specifically on vacation rental acquisitions since 2019. National services include Awning (formerly RedAwning) which offers full-service Airbnb property management and acquisition consulting, Mashvisor for property analysis and market data, and AirDNA for short-term rental market intelligence. Local property management companies that also assist with acquisitions include Ozark Mountain Vacation Rentals, Lake Life Property Management, and Camdenton STR Solutions. Additional national platforms serving the Camdenton market include Roofstock for turnkey rental properties, BiggerPockets for investor networking and deal sourcing, and Vacasa which provides both property management and acquisition advisory services for the Lake of the Ozarks region.