Is Daggett, California Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Daggett, California, begin by researching San Bernardino County's short-term rental regulations, as Daggett falls under county jurisdiction and typically requires a Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate and business license, with potential fees ranging $200-500 annually. Contact San Bernardino County Planning Department to verify zoning compliance and obtain necessary permits, including a Conditional Use Permit if required in residential zones, which can take 60-90 days and cost $1,000-3,000. Find a suitable property by searching local real estate listings or working with agents familiar with the area, considering Daggett's proximity to Mojave National Preserve and Route 66 attractions, with property prices typically ranging $150,000-400,000 for suitable homes. Furnish the property with desert-appropriate amenities including air conditioning, comfortable bedding, kitchen essentials, WiFi, and outdoor seating to accommodate travelers exploring the Mojave Desert region, budgeting $10,000-25,000 for complete furnishing. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting the desert location and proximity to attractions like Calico Ghost Town and Barstow outlets, setting competitive rates around $75-150 per night based on local market analysis. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, coordinating with local cleaning services in nearby Barstow since Daggett has limited service providers, implementing keyless entry systems, and maintaining responsive communication with guests while ensuring compliance with county occupancy tax collection requirements of 10-12%.

For identifying profitable short-term rental properties in Daggett, California, focus on properties within 10-15 minutes of major attractions like Calico Ghost Town and Rainbow Basin, as this desert community benefits from proximity to outdoor recreation areas and Route 66 tourism. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or cabins with desert views, outdoor spaces, pools, and unique architectural features that appeal to adventure tourists and motorcycle enthusiasts traveling the historic highway. Analyze pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against comparable properties in Barstow and Yermo, aiming for properties under $300,000 that can generate $100-150 per night during peak seasons (fall through spring when desert weather is favorable). Research competition by studying existing STR listings within a 20-mile radius, noting that limited inventory in Daggett itself creates opportunity but requires marketing to guests willing to stay in a remote location. Utilize tools like Rabbu and AllTheRooms for market analysis, partner with local property management companies familiar with San Bernardino County regulations, and leverage the area's appeal to off-road vehicle enthusiasts, stargazers, and travelers seeking authentic desert experiences between Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Daggett, California, you must first contact the San Bernardino County Planning Department since Daggett is an unincorporated community, either by visiting their office at 385 N Arrowhead Ave in San Bernardino or calling (909) 387-8311. You'll need to submit a Conditional Use Permit application along with required documents including property deed or lease agreement, site plan showing the rental unit, floor plan, proof of insurance, business license application, and contact information for a local property manager if you live more than 60 miles away. The application fee is approximately $2,850 for the CUP process, plus additional fees for environmental review (around $50) and business license ($25-100 annually). The timeline typically takes 3-6 months including a public hearing before the Planning Commission. Specific Daggett area requirements include maintaining adequate parking (minimum 2 spaces per unit), ensuring septic system compliance due to rural location, providing 24/7 local contact information, limiting occupancy to 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, maintaining quiet hours from 10 PM to 8 AM, and ensuring the property meets all fire safety requirements including smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, with annual inspections required for permit renewal.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Daggett, California are generally subject to San Bernardino County regulations since Daggett is an unincorporated community. As of 2023-2024, San Bernardino County allows STRs in most residential zones but requires operators to obtain a Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate and comply with specific operational standards including occupancy limits, parking requirements, noise restrictions, and 24/7 local contact availability. The county imposes a transient occupancy tax on STR bookings and requires annual renewals of permits. STRs are typically prohibited in areas zoned exclusively for single-family residential use without proper permits, and the county has implemented stricter enforcement measures in recent years following complaints about party houses and neighborhood disruptions. Given Daggett's rural desert location along historic Route 66, STRs may face additional considerations related to septic systems, water availability, and fire safety regulations that are common in unincorporated San Bernardino County areas, though specific local restrictions may apply depending on the exact zoning and location within the community.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Daggett, California are primarily along the historic Route 66 corridor and near the Mojave National Preserve entrance, as Daggett serves as a key stopover point for Route 66 tourists and desert adventure seekers. The downtown historic district near the old Santa Fe Railway depot attracts vintage Americana enthusiasts and motorcycle touring groups, particularly during spring and fall when desert weather is optimal. Properties near the Calico Ghost Town access roads (approximately 10 miles south) benefit from family tourism and weekend visitors exploring the restored mining town. The area around Nebo Street and National Trails Highway sees consistent demand from travelers heading to Las Vegas, Barstow Outlets, and Death Valley National Park, making it ideal for short-term rentals targeting road trip tourists. Additionally, properties near the desert camping and off-road vehicle areas attract outdoor recreation enthusiasts, particularly during cooler months from October through April, while the proximity to military training facilities generates some business travel demand from contractors and personnel visiting nearby installations.

Airbnb properties in Daggett, California are subject to San Bernardino County's Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) of 10% on gross rental receipts for stays of 30 days or less. The tax is collected from guests at the time of booking through Airbnb's automatic tax collection system, which remits payments directly to San Bernardino County on a monthly basis. Property owners must register with the county's tax collector office and obtain a TOT certificate, though Airbnb handles the actual collection and remittance process. Stays exceeding 30 consecutive days are generally exempt from the TOT, as are rentals to permanent residents establishing residency. Additionally, there may be a small local business license fee required from the Town of Daggett, typically ranging from $25-50 annually, though this varies by municipality size and local ordinances established around 2018-2020 when many California communities began regulating short-term rentals more strictly.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Daggett, California would be approximately $285,000-$320,000. Property purchase costs around $180,000-$200,000 based on median home prices in this rural San Bernardino County area. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property would cost $15,000-$25,000 including beds, sofas, dining sets, appliances, linens, and decor. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations would be $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees including business license, TOT registration, and potential HOA approvals would cost $500-$1,500. Insurance including landlord and short-term rental coverage would be $2,000-$3,000 annually. Utilities setup and deposits for electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable would cost $500-$1,000. First six months operating costs including utilities ($600/month), cleaning services ($150 per turnover), maintenance ($200/month), Airbnb fees (3% host fee), and marketing would total approximately $8,000-$12,000, assuming 60% occupancy rates typical for rural desert locations near Barstow and major highways.

Airbnb properties in Daggett, California face significant profitability challenges due to the town's remote desert location and limited tourist demand, with most properties generating estimated annual revenues of $8,000-$15,000 compared to expenses of $12,000-$18,000 including mortgage, utilities, maintenance, and cleaning fees, resulting in negative profit margins of -20% to -35% for most hosts. The area's proximity to Barstow and position along historic Route 66 provides some appeal for road trip travelers and desert enthusiasts, but occupancy rates typically remain below 25% annually with average daily rates of $65-$85. Success factors for the few profitable properties include targeting specific niches like off-road vehicle enthusiasts visiting nearby Mojave National Preserve, offering unique desert experiences, maintaining extremely low acquisition costs, and marketing to Los Angeles residents seeking affordable weekend desert retreats. Properties that achieve profitability often feature distinctive amenities like stargazing setups, off-grid experiences, or proximity to recreational vehicle trails, with the most successful hosts reporting annual profits of $2,000-$5,000 only after owning properties outright and minimizing operational expenses through self-management and solar power installations.

Airbnb investments in Daggett, California typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, primarily driven by the town's proximity to major desert attractions like Calico Ghost Town and the Mojave National Preserve which attract weekend tourists and off-road enthusiasts. Properties in Daggett, with median home prices around $180,000-$250,000, can achieve average daily rates of $85-$120 during peak seasons (October-April) with occupancy rates of 45-60%, generating gross rental income of $18,000-$28,000 annually. After accounting for expenses including property management (20-25%), maintenance, utilities, and insurance totaling approximately 40-50% of gross income, net annual returns typically reach $9,000-$15,000 on initial investments of $50,000-$75,000 down payments. Most investors achieve profitability within 18-24 months, with properties showing strongest performance during cooler months when desert tourism peaks, though the limited local amenities and remote location can impact year-round occupancy compared to more established desert destinations like Joshua Tree or Palm Springs.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market data. In Daggett, California, investors can work with local real estate agents like those at Century 21 Desert Rock in nearby Barstow (2019-present) and RE/MAX Desert Properties who understand the High Desert market dynamics. National services include Mashvisor (founded 2014) for property analysis, AirDNA (established 2015) for short-term rental market data, and Awning (launched 2017) which provides end-to-end Airbnb investment services. Local property management companies such as Desert Vacation Rentals and Mojave Property Management offer turnkey solutions for investors. BiggerPockets marketplace connects investors with local wholesalers and agents familiar with the San Bernardino County market. RedAwning and Vacasa provide property management services that extend to rural California markets. Local mortgage brokers like High Desert Lending and national lenders such as Visio Lending (specialized in investment properties since 2012) can facilitate financing for short-term rental investments in this desert community near major attractions like Calico Ghost Town.