Is Circleville, Ohio Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Circleville, Ohio, begin by researching local regulations through the Circleville City Planning Department and Pickaway County offices, as Ohio generally allows short-term rentals but municipalities may have specific zoning requirements and occupancy limits. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from the City of Circleville (approximately $25-50), ensure your property meets fire safety codes, and verify zoning compliance for residential areas. Find a suitable property in desirable neighborhoods near downtown Circleville or close to attractions like the Circleville Pumpkin Show grounds, considering properties with 2-3 bedrooms that can accommodate families visiting for local events. Furnish the space with essential amenities including Wi-Fi, cable TV, full kitchen appliances, quality bedding, and local touches highlighting Circleville's pumpkin heritage and small-town charm. List your property on Airbnb and VRBO platforms with professional photos, competitive pricing around $75-125 per night based on local market rates, and detailed descriptions emphasizing proximity to Route 23, Columbus (30 minutes north), and local attractions. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, maintaining responsive communication, coordinating key exchanges or installing smart locks, and ensuring compliance with Ohio's 7% state sales tax and any local lodging taxes that Pickaway County may require.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Circleville, Ohio, focus on locations within walking distance of downtown's historic Pumpkin Show grounds and near major employers like DuPont and Teledyne Technologies, as these areas attract both tourists and business travelers. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or historic properties built between 1900-1950 that offer character and charm, with essential features including reliable Wi-Fi, full kitchens, parking, and outdoor spaces that appeal to families visiting for the annual Pumpkin Show festival. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against Columbus market rates (typically 20-30% lower), aiming for properties under $150,000 that can generate $80-120 per night during peak seasons. Research competition by analyzing existing Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 5-mile radius, noting that Circleville has limited STR inventory compared to Columbus, creating opportunity for well-positioned properties. Utilize tools like Rabbu and AllTheRooms for market analysis, monitor Pickaway County tourism data, and leverage local Facebook groups and the Circleville Chamber of Commerce for insights on seasonal demand patterns, particularly around October's Pumpkin Show which drives significant annual bookings.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Circleville, Ohio, you must first contact the Circleville Building Department at City Hall located at 127 South Court Street to determine current zoning compliance and obtain a business license application, as the city typically requires short-term rentals to operate under a transient guest lodging or home occupation permit. Required documents generally include a completed business license application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement with landlord consent, certificate of occupancy, fire safety inspection certificate from the Circleville Fire Department, proof of liability insurance (minimum $1 million coverage), floor plan showing maximum occupancy, and contact information for a local property manager if you're not residing locally. Application fees typically range from $50-150 for the initial permit plus $25-75 for annual renewals, with additional inspection fees of approximately $50-100. The timeline usually takes 4-6 weeks from application submission, including scheduling required inspections for fire safety, building code compliance, and zoning verification. Circleville-specific requirements likely include adherence to R-1 residential zoning restrictions limiting occupancy to no more than 6-8 guests, mandatory smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in all sleeping areas, adequate parking spaces (typically 2 spaces minimum), noise ordinance compliance with quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM, and registration with the Ohio Department of Commerce for tax collection purposes. You must also obtain an Ohio vendor's license for collecting and remitting state and local lodging taxes, which is approximately 5.75% state tax plus any applicable local hotel/motel taxes.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Circleville, Ohio are generally legal but subject to local zoning regulations and state requirements. The city follows Ohio state law which allows STRs but permits municipalities to establish their own regulations through zoning codes. In Circleville, STRs are typically permitted in residential zones but may require compliance with occupancy limits, parking requirements, and noise ordinances. Property owners must register with the state of Ohio and collect applicable taxes including lodging taxes. The city has not implemented a comprehensive STR ordinance as of recent years, meaning they fall under general residential use regulations. There are no specific prohibited areas citywide, though individual neighborhood covenants or homeowners associations may restrict them. Recent legal changes primarily involve state-level tax collection requirements implemented around 2019-2021, requiring platforms like Airbnb to collect and remit taxes. Property owners should verify current zoning compliance with the Circleville Planning Department and ensure proper business licensing, as regulations can evolve and enforcement may vary based on complaints or neighborhood concerns.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Circleville, Ohio are downtown Circleville near Court Street and Main Street due to proximity to the historic courthouse square and local businesses, the neighborhoods surrounding Circleville High School and Ted Lewis Park which attract visitors for sporting events and recreational activities, and areas near the Scioto River and Pickaway County fairgrounds which benefit from the famous Circleville Pumpkin Show held annually in October drawing over 400,000 visitors. The residential areas along Lancaster Pike (US-22) and South Court Street offer good accessibility while maintaining quiet neighborhood appeal for families visiting the area, and properties near the Circleville Historic District capitalize on heritage tourism and the town's connection to early Ohio settlement history. These locations benefit from business travelers visiting local manufacturing facilities like DuPont and PPG Industries, families attending Ohio Christian University events, and tourists exploring the Scioto Commercial and Savings Company Building and other historic sites, with the Pumpkin Show being the primary economic driver creating peak demand in fall months.

In Circleville, Ohio, Airbnb hosts are subject to both state and local lodging taxes. Ohio imposes a 5.75% state sales tax on short-term rental accommodations, which applies to stays of less than 30 consecutive days. Pickaway County, where Circleville is located, typically adds a 3% county lodging tax, bringing the total tax rate to approximately 8.75%. The City of Circleville may impose an additional municipal lodging tax of 1-3%, potentially raising the total rate to around 10-11.75%. These taxes are generally collected from guests at the time of booking through Airbnb's platform, which automatically calculates and remits state and local taxes to the appropriate authorities in most Ohio jurisdictions. Hosts must register with the Ohio Department of Taxation and obtain a vendor's license, and may need to register separately with Pickaway County and the City of Circleville depending on local requirements. Monthly or quarterly remittance is typically required if collecting taxes independently. Exemptions generally apply to stays of 30 days or longer, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient accommodations, and certain government or charitable organization bookings may also be exempt from lodging taxes.

Starting an Airbnb in Circleville, Ohio requires approximately $180,000-220,000 in total initial investment. Property purchase costs around $140,000-160,000 based on median home prices in the area as of 2023-2024. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property typically runs $15,000-25,000 including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and décor. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations average $3,000-5,000. Permits and fees in Pickaway County range from $500-1,500 depending on local regulations and business license requirements. Insurance premiums for short-term rental coverage cost approximately $2,000-3,000 annually. Utility deposits and initial connections for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable total around $1,000-1,500. First six months of operating costs including utilities ($800/month), cleaning services ($150 per turnover), supplies and maintenance ($300/month), platform fees (3% of bookings), and marketing expenses total approximately $8,000-12,000, assuming 60-70% occupancy rates and average nightly rates of $80-120 in the Circleville market.

Airbnb properties in Circleville, Ohio typically generate modest profitability with average nightly rates ranging from $65-$95 for entire homes and $35-$55 for private rooms, resulting in monthly revenues of $800-$1,500 for properties with 40-60% occupancy rates. Operating expenses including mortgage payments, utilities, cleaning fees ($25-$40 per turnover), property management (10-15% of revenue), insurance ($1,200-$1,800 annually), and maintenance typically consume 65-75% of gross revenue, leaving net profit margins of 15-25% for well-managed properties. Success factors in this small Ohio city include proximity to Circleville's Pumpkin Show (October), competitive pricing below Columbus market rates, professional photography, and targeting business travelers visiting local manufacturing facilities like DuPont's Circleville Works. Properties within walking distance of downtown or offering unique amenities like hot tubs or fire pits tend to achieve higher occupancy rates, with some hosts reporting annual profits of $3,000-$8,000 on properties purchased specifically for short-term rental investment, though seasonal fluctuations significantly impact performance with peak earnings during fall festivals and summer months.

Based on Circleville, Ohio market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% depending on property acquisition costs and renovation requirements. Properties in downtown Circleville near the Pumpkin Show grounds and historic district command higher nightly rates of $80-120, while suburban properties average $60-90 per night with 55-65% occupancy rates annually. Initial investment recovery and profitability typically occurs within 18-24 months for well-positioned properties, with investors seeing positive cash flow by month 8-12 after accounting for mortgage payments, property management fees of 15-25%, cleaning costs, and maintenance expenses. The seasonal nature of Circleville's tourism, particularly during the October Pumpkin Show which drives premium rates of $150-200 per night, significantly impacts annual returns, with Q4 generating 35-40% of total annual revenue for most successful Airbnb operators in the market.

STRSearch is a national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties including in Circleville, Ohio. Local real estate agents like those at Coldwell Banker King Thompson in nearby Columbus and RE/MAX Central Realty serve the Pickaway County area where Circleville is located and can assist with Airbnb investment properties. National services include Mashvisor, which provides Airbnb analytics and property search tools, AirDNA for market data and investment analysis, and Awning for turnkey Airbnb investment properties. RedAwning offers property management and investment services for short-term rentals, while BiggerPockets connects investors with local professionals. Local property management companies like Central Ohio Property Management and Buckeye Property Management can handle day-to-day operations of Airbnb investments. Real estate investment firms such as HomeVestors and We Buy Ugly Houses occasionally work with investors seeking rental properties, and platforms like Roofstock and Fundrise provide additional investment opportunities in the Ohio market.