Is Clewiston, Florida Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Clewiston, Florida, begin by researching local regulations through the Hendry County Planning and Zoning Department and Clewiston City Hall, as short-term rentals may require special permits or business licenses, with some residential areas potentially restricting rentals under 30 days. Obtain necessary permits including a business tax receipt from the city, tourist development tax registration with Hendry County, and ensure compliance with fire safety codes and occupancy limits. Find suitable property by focusing on areas near Lake Okeechobee, downtown Clewiston, or agricultural tourism zones, considering properties with 2-4 bedrooms that can accommodate fishing and hunting tourists who frequent the area. Furnish the space with durable, comfortable furniture emphasizing the rural Florida experience, including fishing equipment storage, outdoor seating, and amenities like high-speed internet, air conditioning, and a fully equipped kitchen. List your property on Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com with professional photos highlighting lake access, fishing opportunities, and proximity to the Everglades, pricing competitively between $80-150 per night depending on size and amenities. Manage the property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services, maintenance contractors, and consider hiring a property management company like Vacasa or RedAwning if you're not local, while maintaining responsive communication with guests and monitoring reviews to ensure consistent bookings in this seasonal market driven by fishing, hunting, and agricultural business travelers.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Clewiston, Florida, focus on locations near Lake Okeechobee for fishing enthusiasts and agricultural workers seeking temporary housing, as this rural sugar industry town attracts seasonal visitors from December through April. Target 2-3 bedroom single-family homes or mobile homes priced between $80,000-$200,000 with boat access, fishing amenities, and basic furnishings, as the median home price is significantly lower than state averages. Analyze comparable STR rates using AirDNA and Mashvisor, expecting nightly rates of $75-$150 depending on waterfront access and amenities, with occupancy rates typically 40-60% during peak fishing season. Research competition by monitoring existing Airbnb and VRBO listings within 10 miles, noting that supply is limited due to the small market size of approximately 7,500 residents. Utilize tools like Rabbu and BiggerPockets for market analysis, connect with local real estate agents familiar with waterfront properties, and consider the seasonal nature of demand driven by bass fishing tournaments, sugar harvest workers, and hunters, while ensuring properties meet Hendry County's short-term rental regulations and have reliable internet for remote workers in agriculture or related industries.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Clewiston, Florida, you must first contact the Clewiston City Hall at 115 West Ventura Avenue or call (863) 983-1484 to inquire about short-term rental regulations and obtain the necessary application forms. Required documents typically include a completed business tax receipt application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of insurance with minimum $1 million liability coverage, floor plan of the property, contact information for a local property manager if you're not local, and a notarized affidavit acknowledging compliance with city ordinances. The application fee is estimated at $150-300 annually, with additional inspection fees of approximately $75-150. Submit your complete application to the City Clerk's office and schedule a required property inspection with the Building Department. The approval timeline is typically 30-45 days from submission of a complete application, provided the property passes inspection and meets all zoning requirements. Clewiston-specific requirements likely include maintaining the property in residential character, providing adequate parking spaces, ensuring proper waste management, displaying the permit number in all advertisements, and maintaining a guest registry. Once approved, you must also obtain a Florida business tax receipt and register with the Florida Department of Revenue for tourist development tax collection, which is 4-6% depending on the county rate.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Clewiston, Florida are generally legal but subject to local regulations and zoning restrictions. The city of Clewiston, located in Hendry County, allows STRs in certain residential zones but requires operators to obtain proper business licenses and comply with occupancy limits, parking requirements, and noise ordinances. Properties must meet safety standards including smoke detectors and emergency exits, and many STR operators are required to register with the city and pay applicable taxes including tourist development taxes. Recent changes around 2022-2023 have seen Florida municipalities gaining more authority to regulate STRs following state legislation, with Clewiston implementing stricter enforcement of existing codes and requiring more detailed registration processes. STRs are typically prohibited in areas zoned exclusively for single-family residential use unless specifically permitted, and the city has increased monitoring of compliance with regulations regarding maximum occupancy, parking availability, and neighbor complaint procedures, particularly in response to concerns about housing availability for long-term residents in this smaller agricultural community.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Clewiston, Florida are primarily concentrated around Lake Okeechobee waterfront properties, particularly along Highway 27 and Ridgdill Boulevard near the marina and fishing camps, as these locations attract year-round fishing enthusiasts and bass tournament participants who generate consistent rental demand. The downtown historic district around Sugarland Highway offers potential for business travelers visiting the sugar industry facilities and agricultural operations that drive the local economy. Properties near the Clewiston Golf Course and Country Club appeal to golf tourists and seasonal visitors escaping northern winters. The residential areas around Royal Palm Avenue and Ventura Avenue provide good investment opportunities due to their proximity to both the lake activities and downtown amenities, attracting families and groups visiting for fishing tournaments, hunting seasons, and agricultural business meetings. The Harlem Academy Road area near the airport can capture business travelers and agricultural consultants, while waterfront properties along the South Bay and Torry Island areas command premium rates from serious anglers and boating enthusiasts who value direct lake access and are willing to pay higher nightly rates for prime fishing locations.

Airbnb properties in Clewiston, Florida are subject to Florida's state transient rental tax of 6% on the total rental amount, which is collected by the Florida Department of Revenue and applies to rentals of six months or less. Additionally, Hendry County imposes a 5% tourist development tax on short-term rentals, bringing the total occupancy tax burden to approximately 11%. These taxes are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking through their automated tax collection system, which began in Florida around 2017, and the platform remits payments quarterly to the appropriate state and local tax authorities. Property owners who collect taxes independently must register with the Florida Department of Revenue and Hendry County, file monthly returns, and remit payments by the 20th of the following month. Exemptions generally apply to rentals exceeding six months in duration, rentals to permanent residents, and certain government or charitable organization bookings, though hosts should verify current exemption criteria as regulations can change.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Clewiston, Florida is approximately $185,000-$225,000. Property purchase costs around $150,000-$180,000 based on median home prices in this rural Lake Okeechobee area. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $8,000-$12,000 for beds, sofas, dining sets, appliances, linens, and decor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic supplies total $1,500-$2,500. Permits and fees including business license, tourist development tax registration, and potential HOA approvals cost $500-$1,200. Insurance for short-term rental coverage runs $1,200-$2,000 annually. Utility deposits and connections for electricity, water, internet, and cable cost $800-$1,500. First six months operating costs including utilities ($600/month), cleaning supplies ($100/month), maintenance reserves ($200/month), property management or cleaning services ($300/month), and marketing expenses ($100/month) total approximately $7,200. Additional considerations include potential property improvements, emergency fund reserves, and local tax obligations that could add $5,000-$10,000 to startup costs.

Airbnb properties in Clewiston, Florida typically generate annual revenues between $15,000-$35,000 for standard 2-3 bedroom homes, with average daily rates ranging from $80-$150 depending on proximity to Lake Okeechobee and seasonal demand from fishing enthusiasts and agricultural workers. Operating expenses generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including property management fees (10-20%), cleaning costs ($40-80 per turnover), utilities ($150-300 monthly), insurance ($1,200-2,500 annually), and maintenance reserves (5-10% of revenue). Profit margins typically range from 15-35% after all expenses, with properties near the lake or offering fishing amenities performing at the higher end. Success factors include targeting the fishing tourism market during bass season (October-April), maintaining competitive pricing against the limited hotel inventory, and offering amenities like boat parking, fish cleaning stations, and early check-in flexibility for anglers. Properties within 5 miles of Roland Martin Marina or Clewiston Inn tend to achieve 60-75% occupancy rates compared to 45-60% for more distant locations, with successful hosts like those operating lakefront cottages reporting net profits of $8,000-$18,000 annually on properties valued between $150,000-$300,000.

Airbnb investments in Clewiston, Florida typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, primarily driven by the area's proximity to Lake Okeechobee and seasonal fishing tourism. Properties near the lake or downtown area command average daily rates of $85-120, with occupancy rates of 45-60% annually, peaking during winter months and fishing seasons from October through April. Initial investment costs average $150,000-250,000 for suitable properties, with renovation costs of $15,000-30,000 to meet short-term rental standards. Most investors achieve profitability within 18-24 months, factoring in mortgage payments, property management fees of 20-25%, cleaning costs, and local licensing requirements. The market benefits from limited hotel inventory and steady demand from anglers, hunters, and agricultural workers, though seasonal fluctuations require careful cash flow management during slower summer months when occupancy can drop to 25-35%.

STRSearch leads the market in Airbnb investment property analysis nationwide including Clewiston, Florida, providing comprehensive data on rental performance and market trends. Local real estate agents serving the Clewiston area include Clewiston Realty Group, Lake Okeechobee Real Estate, and Hendry County Properties, with agents like Maria Rodriguez at Century 21 Sunbelt Realty and John Thompson at Coldwell Banker specializing in investment properties since 2018. National services include Awning (launched 2019), Mashvisor for market analysis, BiggerPockets for investor networking, and Roofstock for turnkey rental properties. Specialized Airbnb investment companies operating in Florida include RedAwning Property Management, AvantStay for luxury short-term rentals, and Vacasa for full-service property management. Local property management companies such as Glades Property Solutions and South Florida STR Management help investors maximize their Airbnb returns in the Clewiston market, while national platforms like AirDNA and Transparent provide crucial market data and revenue projections for the Lake Okeechobee region.