Is Concrete, Washington Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Concrete, Washington, begin by researching Skagit County's short-term rental regulations and zoning requirements, as Concrete falls under county jurisdiction and typically requires a business license and may need conditional use permits for residential properties used as short-term rentals. Contact Skagit County Planning Department to understand specific zoning restrictions, occupancy limits, and safety requirements including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and emergency exits. Obtain necessary permits including a Washington State business license, Skagit County business license, and potentially a conditional use permit if required for your property type. Find a suitable property in Concrete considering proximity to North Cascades National Park and outdoor recreation areas that attract tourists, ensuring the property meets county health and safety standards. Furnish the space with durable, comfortable furniture, full kitchen amenities, quality bedding, and outdoor gear storage given the area's hiking and camping appeal. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting mountain views and outdoor access, set competitive pricing based on seasonal demand (higher in summer months), and emphasize proximity to hiking trails, Diablo Lake, and North Cascades attractions. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, maintaining responsive communication, coordinating key exchanges or lockbox systems, and ensuring compliance with occupancy limits and noise ordinances that may be stricter in this small rural community of approximately 700 residents.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Concrete, Washington, focus on properties within 1-2 miles of the North Cascades National Park entrance and along the Skagit River, as these locations attract outdoor enthusiasts year-round. Target 2-4 bedroom cabins or homes with rustic charm, outdoor amenities like fire pits, hot tubs, or river access, and modern conveniences including reliable WiFi and full kitchens, as guests seek authentic Pacific Northwest experiences while maintaining comfort. Analyze pricing by researching comparable Airbnb and VRBO listings in nearby Marblemount and Rockport, aiming for properties that can command $150-300 per night during peak seasons (summer hiking, fall foliage, winter snow activities), with acquisition costs under $400,000 to maintain healthy profit margins. Conduct competition research using AirDNA and Mashvisor to assess occupancy rates and revenue potential, noting that Concrete's limited inventory creates opportunities for well-positioned properties to achieve 60-70% occupancy rates. Utilize local resources including the Skagit County Assessor's office for property values, connect with Concrete-area real estate agents familiar with STR regulations, and monitor the Washington State Department of Commerce for tourism trends affecting the North Cascades region, while ensuring compliance with Skagit County's short-term rental licensing requirements.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Concrete, Washington, you must apply through Skagit County's planning department since Concrete is an unincorporated town. Contact the Skagit County Planning and Development Services at 1800 Continental Place, Mount Vernon, WA 98273, or call (360) 416-1320. Required documents typically include a completed short-term rental application, site plan showing parking and access, septic system approval if applicable, fire safety inspection certificate, and proof of liability insurance ($1 million minimum). The application fee is approximately $500-750, with additional inspection fees of $200-300. Submit your application with all required documents, schedule required inspections for fire safety and building code compliance, and await county review which typically takes 4-6 weeks. Specific Concrete requirements include maintaining adequate parking (minimum 2 spaces), ensuring septic systems can handle occupancy loads, providing emergency contact information to neighbors, and complying with noise ordinances. Once approved, you'll receive your permit valid for one year, renewable annually with a $150-250 renewal fee, and must display your permit number in all rental listings and maintain occupancy logs for county inspection.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Concrete, Washington operate under Skagit County regulations since the town is unincorporated, and as of 2023-2024, STRs are generally permitted but subject to county oversight and licensing requirements. Skagit County requires STR operators to obtain business licenses, comply with health and safety standards, maintain liability insurance, and adhere to occupancy limits typically based on septic system capacity and bedroom count. The county has implemented noise ordinances, parking requirements, and waste management protocols that STR operators must follow, with violations potentially resulting in permit revocation. Recent changes include stricter enforcement mechanisms and enhanced complaint procedures, though no outright bans exist in the Concrete area. Properties must meet building codes and fire safety standards, and operators are required to provide emergency contact information and maintain guest registries, with some seasonal restrictions possible in environmentally sensitive areas near the Skagit River corridor.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Concrete, Washington are primarily along the Skagit River corridor and near the North Cascades National Park entrance, as these locations attract outdoor enthusiasts year-round for activities like fishing, hiking, and scenic photography. The downtown historic district offers charm for visitors exploring the area's logging heritage and serves as a convenient base for day trips to nearby attractions. Properties near Baker Lake and the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest boundaries are highly desirable due to proximity to camping, boating, and winter sports activities at Mount Baker Ski Area (about 45 minutes away). The area along Highway 20 (North Cascades Highway) is particularly attractive as it serves travelers heading to or from the North Cascades Scenic Byway, one of Washington's most popular scenic drives. These locations benefit from consistent demand during summer months (June-September) from tourists visiting North Cascades National Park, fall foliage seekers, and winter visitors accessing nearby ski areas, with average occupancy rates estimated at 65-75% during peak seasons.

Airbnb properties in Concrete, Washington are subject to Washington State's lodging tax of 0.2% on gross rental income, which is automatically collected by Airbnb and remitted to the state quarterly. Additionally, Skagit County imposes a lodging tax of approximately 2% on short-term rentals under 30 days, which hosts must collect from guests and remit monthly to the Skagit County Treasurer's Office by the 20th of the following month. The City of Concrete does not currently impose a separate municipal lodging tax as of 2023. Washington State sales tax of 6.5% plus local sales tax of approximately 2.4% (totaling around 8.9%) also applies to short-term rental income, with hosts required to register for a business license and remit taxes quarterly through the Department of Revenue's online portal. Rentals exceeding 30 consecutive days to the same guest are generally exempt from lodging taxes but may still be subject to sales tax depending on the arrangement, and hosts should maintain detailed records of all bookings and tax collections for compliance purposes.

To start an Airbnb in Concrete, Washington, the total costs would be approximately $385,000-$425,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at $300,000-$350,000 based on median home prices in rural Skagit County areas. Furnishing costs typically range $15,000-$25,000 for a complete setup including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, and living room furniture. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations average $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees vary but expect $500-$1,500 for business licenses, short-term rental permits, and potential HOA approvals. Insurance costs run $1,200-$2,000 annually for short-term rental coverage beyond standard homeowner's insurance. Utilities including electricity, water, sewer, garbage, internet, and cable average $200-$300 monthly or $1,200-$1,800 for six months. First six months operating costs including cleaning services ($100-$150 per turnover), maintenance, supplies, platform fees (3% of bookings), and marketing total approximately $4,000-$8,000 depending on occupancy rates. Additional considerations include potential property management fees if outsourced (20-30% of revenue) and a reserve fund for unexpected repairs and vacancy periods.

Airbnb properties in Concrete, Washington show moderate profitability potential with average nightly rates ranging from $85-150 depending on property type and amenities, generating approximately $15,000-35,000 in annual gross revenue for properties with 40-60% occupancy rates. Operating expenses typically consume 35-50% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($40-80 per turnover), property management (10-20%), utilities ($150-300 monthly), insurance ($1,200-2,000 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $2,000-4,000 yearly. Net profit margins generally fall between 15-35% for well-managed properties, with waterfront cabins and homes near North Cascades National Park commanding premium rates and achieving higher occupancy during summer months (June-September). Success factors include strategic location near outdoor recreation areas, professional photography, responsive guest communication, and seasonal pricing optimization, as properties targeting hiking and fishing enthusiasts during peak season can achieve 70-80% occupancy rates compared to 30-40% in winter months. A typical 3-bedroom cabin near the Skagit River might generate $28,000 gross revenue annually with $18,000 in expenses, yielding approximately $10,000 net profit representing a 36% margin, though performance varies significantly based on property condition, marketing effectiveness, and local competition from approximately 25-40 active Airbnb listings in the greater Concrete area as of 2023-2024.

Airbnb investments in Concrete, Washington typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, primarily driven by the town's proximity to North Cascades National Park and seasonal tourism demand. Properties in this small mountain community of approximately 700 residents generally achieve profitability within 18-24 months, with peak earning potential during summer months (June-September) when outdoor recreation activities like hiking, fishing, and camping draw visitors to the Skagit River valley area. The limited inventory of short-term rental properties in Concrete, combined with its strategic location as a gateway to wilderness areas, supports occupancy rates of 60-75% during peak season, though winter months typically see significant drops to 25-35% occupancy, requiring investors to account for seasonal cash flow variations when calculating overall returns.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties in Concrete, Washington, offering data-driven insights and market analysis. Local real estate agents in the Skagit Valley area such as Windermere Real Estate and John L. Scott specialize in investment properties and understand the unique vacation rental market dynamics of this North Cascades gateway community. National services like AirDNA provide comprehensive market data and revenue projections for Concrete's STR market, while Mashvisor offers investment property analysis tools specifically for short-term rentals in smaller Washington markets. Local property management companies such as North Cascades Property Management and Skagit Valley Vacation Rentals can assist with both acquisition advice and ongoing management of Airbnb properties. RedAwning and Vacasa also operate in the Pacific Northwest region and can provide insights into profitable property acquisition in rural Washington markets like Concrete. Regional real estate firms including RE/MAX and Coldwell Banker have agents familiar with investment properties in Skagit County who understand the seasonal tourism patterns that drive Airbnb demand in this outdoor recreation destination.