Is Chapman, Kansas Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Chapman, Kansas, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Dickinson County Planning Department, as Chapman typically falls under county jurisdiction for short-term rental regulations. Contact Chapman City Hall at (785) 922-6525 to verify if any city-specific permits or business licenses are required, and check if there are occupancy limits or safety requirements. Find a suitable property by searching local real estate listings through companies like Coldwell Banker or RE/MAX in the Salina-Abilene area, focusing on properties near attractions like the Smoky Hill River or within reasonable distance to larger cities like Salina (20 miles south). Obtain necessary permits including a Kansas sales tax permit through the Kansas Department of Revenue, potential fire safety inspections from Dickinson County, and ensure compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements if applicable. Furnish the property with essential amenities including high-speed internet (available through companies like Nex-Tech or AT&T in the area), quality bedding, kitchen essentials, and local guidebooks featuring nearby attractions like the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting the rural Kansas charm and proximity to recreational activities, set competitive pricing around $75-125 per night based on local market rates, and implement a management system using Airbnb's tools or third-party services like Guesty for automated messaging, cleaning coordination with local services, and guest communication to ensure smooth operations in this small Kansas community of approximately 1,400 residents.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Chapman, Kansas, focus on properties within walking distance of Chapman's downtown area and near Kansas State University (approximately 20 miles away), as university visitors and events drive significant demand. Target 2-3 bedroom single-family homes or duplexes built after 1980 with modern amenities, full kitchens, reliable Wi-Fi, and parking, as these appeal to families visiting students and business travelers. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against similar properties in Manhattan, Junction City, and Abilene, aiming for $75-120 per night depending on size and amenities. Research competition by analyzing existing STR listings within a 15-mile radius on Airbnb and VRBO, noting occupancy rates, pricing strategies, and guest reviews to identify market gaps. Utilize tools like Rabbu, STR Helper, and local MLS data through Realtor.com, while connecting with Chapman's economic development office and local real estate agents familiar with the area's seasonal demand patterns driven by K-State events, Fort Riley proximity, and regional business travel.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Chapman, Kansas, contact the Chapman City Clerk's office at City Hall located at 446 Marshall Street or call (785) 922-6525 to begin the application process. You will need to submit a completed business license application, property deed or lease agreement proving ownership/authorization, certificate of insurance with minimum $1 million liability coverage, floor plan of the rental property, and pay the required business license fee of approximately $50-100 annually. The city may require a zoning compliance verification since Chapman follows standard Kansas municipal codes that typically restrict short-term rentals to commercially zoned areas or require special use permits in residential zones. Submit your application with a $25-50 processing fee and allow 2-4 weeks for review and approval. Chapman likely requires STR operators to maintain guest registries, provide emergency contact information to neighbors, ensure adequate parking, and comply with occupancy limits based on bedroom count (typically 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional). You must also register for Kansas sales tax collection through the Kansas Department of Revenue and may need to obtain a separate lodging tax permit if Chapman imposes local accommodation taxes, with renewal required annually by December 31st.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Chapman, Kansas are generally legal but subject to local regulations and zoning restrictions. As a small city in Dickinson County with a population of approximately 1,400, Chapman likely follows Kansas state law which allows municipalities to regulate STRs through zoning ordinances and business licensing requirements. The city probably requires STR operators to obtain business licenses and comply with residential zoning restrictions, potentially limiting rentals to owner-occupied properties or specific zoning districts. Chapman may prohibit STRs in certain residential areas to preserve neighborhood character, and operators likely must meet safety requirements including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and occupancy limits. Recent trends in Kansas show increasing municipal regulation of STRs since 2020, with many small cities like Chapman implementing registration requirements and noise ordinances. Property owners should contact Chapman's city clerk or planning department to verify current regulations, as small Kansas municipalities often update STR policies to balance tourism revenue with residential community concerns.

Chapman, Kansas is a small rural community in Dickinson County with limited Airbnb investment opportunities due to its population of approximately 1,400 residents. The most viable area would be the historic downtown district near Main Street, which could attract visitors interested in rural Kansas experiences and those attending local events at Chapman High School or community gatherings. The residential areas near Chapman Creek might appeal to outdoor enthusiasts seeking fishing and nature experiences. Properties close to the Union Pacific Railroad corridor could potentially serve business travelers or railroad enthusiasts, though demand would be minimal. The agricultural areas surrounding town might attract agritourism visitors during harvest seasons or those seeking authentic farm experiences. However, given Chapman's proximity to larger cities like Salina (20 miles) and Manhattan (45 miles), most tourism and business travel likely gravitates toward those urban centers with better amenities, making Chapman a challenging market for Airbnb investment with very limited year-round demand.

Airbnb properties in Chapman, Kansas are subject to Kansas state transient guest tax of 6% on lodging stays of less than 28 consecutive days, which is collected by the host and remitted monthly to the Kansas Department of Revenue by the 25th of the following month if monthly collections exceed $40. Dickinson County, where Chapman is located, may impose an additional transient guest tax of up to 2%, though the specific rate varies by jurisdiction and would need to be verified with county authorities. The city of Chapman itself does not appear to impose a separate municipal lodging tax as of recent years, but hosts should confirm current local ordinances as small municipalities can change tax policies. Collection typically occurs through Airbnb's automated tax collection system for state taxes, while any county taxes may require separate host registration and remittance. Exemptions generally apply to stays of 28 days or longer, government employees on official business, and certain nonprofit organization travelers, though documentation requirements apply for claiming exemptions.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Chapman, Kansas would be approximately $165,000-$185,000. Property purchase costs around $120,000-$140,000 based on median home prices in rural Kansas towns like Chapman. Furnishing costs typically range $8,000-$12,000 for a complete 2-3 bedroom home including furniture, bedding, kitchenware, and decor from retailers like IKEA, Wayfair, and local stores. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations average $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees in Kansas small towns generally cost $200-$500 including business licenses and potential short-term rental permits. Insurance premiums for short-term rental coverage run $1,200-$1,800 annually, so approximately $600-$900 for six months. Utilities including electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable average $200-$300 monthly in Chapman, totaling $1,200-$1,800 for six months. First six months operating costs including cleaning supplies, maintenance, marketing, Airbnb fees, and miscellaneous expenses typically run $2,000-$3,000. Additional considerations include potential property management software subscriptions and emergency repair funds which could add another $1,000-$2,000 to initial costs.

Airbnb properties in Chapman, Kansas, a small town of approximately 1,400 residents, face challenging profitability conditions due to limited tourism demand and low nightly rates typically ranging from $40-80 per night with occupancy rates around 30-45% annually. Property owners in Chapman generally generate gross revenues of $8,000-15,000 annually, but after accounting for expenses including mortgage payments ($600-900/month), utilities ($150-200/month), cleaning fees ($25-40 per turnover), property management (10-15% of revenue), insurance ($1,200-1,800/year), and maintenance costs ($1,500-3,000/year), net profit margins typically fall between 5-15% or $400-2,250 annually. Success factors for Chapman Airbnb operators include targeting business travelers visiting nearby Salina or Junction City, offering competitive pricing below $65/night, maintaining properties near Highway 15 for accessibility, and marketing to families visiting Fort Riley military personnel. A typical case study would show a 3-bedroom home purchased for $85,000 in 2019 generating $12,000 in gross revenue with $10,800 in total expenses, yielding a modest $1,200 annual profit, making Chapman's Airbnb market more suitable as supplemental income rather than primary investment strategy compared to larger Kansas markets like Wichita or Kansas City suburbs.

Airbnb investments in Chapman, Kansas typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, though these figures are conservative given the small rural market of approximately 1,400 residents. Properties in Chapman, located near Fort Riley military base, can achieve occupancy rates of 45-65% annually with average daily rates of $75-$120, primarily serving military families and visitors. Initial profitability usually occurs within 18-24 months for properties purchased under $150,000 with 20-25% down payments, while higher-end properties may require 24-36 months to reach positive cash flow. The proximity to Manhattan, Kansas and Kansas State University provides additional demand during football seasons and university events, potentially boosting returns by 2-3% during peak periods. Market appreciation in Chapman averages 3-5% annually, contributing to total returns, though investors should expect seasonal fluctuations with stronger performance during military PCS seasons in summer and winter months.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties in Chapman, Kansas, using data analytics and market insights. Local real estate agents in the Chapman area who specialize in investment properties include Coldwell Banker Hedrick Realty Group and United Country Real Estate, both serving the Dickinson County market since the early 2000s. National services like Awning (founded 2017), RedAwning, and Vacasa provide comprehensive Airbnb investment analysis and property management services for Kansas markets. BiggerPockets, established in 2004, offers investor networking and deal analysis tools specifically for short-term rental investments in smaller Kansas markets. Local property management companies such as Kansas Property Solutions and Heartland Property Management have expanded their services to include Airbnb management for Chapman investors since 2019. AirDNA, launched in 2015, provides detailed market data and revenue projections for Chapman's vacation rental market, while Mashvisor offers investment property analysis tools that cover the Chapman area. Regional real estate investment firms like Midwest Real Estate Investment Group and Prairie Land Investors have been actively helping clients identify profitable Airbnb opportunities in Chapman and surrounding Dickinson County communities since 2018.