Is Days Creek, Oregon Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Days Creek, Oregon, begin by researching Douglas County's short-term rental regulations, which typically require business licenses and may have zoning restrictions for rural areas like Days Creek. Contact Douglas County Planning Department to obtain necessary permits, including a Conditional Use Permit if required, business license, and ensure compliance with Oregon State fire safety codes and tax registration with the Oregon Department of Revenue. Find a suitable property by searching local real estate listings or consider converting existing property, keeping in mind Days Creek's rural setting appeals to visitors seeking outdoor recreation near the Umpqua National Forest. Furnish the space with comfortable, durable furniture emphasizing the area's natural charm, including outdoor gear storage, hiking maps, and cozy indoor amenities for the Pacific Northwest climate. Create your Airbnb listing with high-quality photos showcasing both interior spaces and the surrounding natural beauty, highlighting proximity to Crater Lake National Park (about 90 minutes), fishing opportunities, and hiking trails. Set competitive pricing by researching similar rural Oregon properties, typically ranging $75-150 per night depending on size and amenities. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols, coordinating with local cleaning services in nearby Canyonville or Roseburg, installing keyless entry systems for remote check-ins, and maintaining responsive communication with guests while emphasizing the peaceful, off-grid experience that Days Creek offers to urban visitors seeking nature retreats.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Days Creek, Oregon, focus on properties within 2-3 miles of the Umpqua River for fishing and recreation access, as this rural Douglas County area attracts 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 internet and updated kitchens, as guests seek authentic Oregon experiences with comfort. Analyze comparable STR pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor, expecting average daily rates of $120-180 for quality properties during peak summer/fall seasons, with 60-70% occupancy rates achievable near recreational areas. Research competition within a 15-mile radius including Canyonville and Myrtle Creek properties, noting that Days Creek has limited STR inventory creating opportunity for well-positioned properties. Utilize Zillow and Realtor.com for property searches under $400,000, STR Helper for revenue projections, and contact Douglas County planning department for zoning compliance, while leveraging local knowledge from Roseburg-area real estate agents familiar with rural STR regulations and seasonal tourism patterns driven by fishing, hunting, and Crater Lake proximity traffic.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Days Creek, Oregon, you must first contact Douglas County Planning Department at 1036 SE Douglas Ave, Roseburg, OR 97470, as Days Creek falls under county jurisdiction rather than having its own municipal permitting system. Begin by submitting a Conditional Use Permit application along with a site plan showing the property layout, parking areas, and septic system details, plus proof of property ownership, a business license application, and evidence of adequate water and sewer capacity. Required documents include a floor plan indicating maximum occupancy, emergency evacuation plan, fire safety compliance certificate, and neighbor notification forms within 250 feet of the property. The application fee is approximately $1,500-$2,000 for the conditional use permit plus $150 for the business license, with additional fees for inspections ranging from $200-$400. The timeline typically spans 60-90 days including a public hearing before the Planning Commission, followed by a 14-day appeal period. Specific Days Creek requirements include maintaining a maximum occupancy of 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, providing adequate off-street parking (minimum 2 spaces), ensuring septic system capacity meets increased usage demands, maintaining quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM, and designating a local contact person available 24/7 within 30 minutes of the property. Annual renewal is required with a $100 fee and compliance inspection.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Days Creek, Oregon are generally legal but subject to Douglas County regulations and state oversight. As an unincorporated community in Douglas County, Days Creek falls under county jurisdiction rather than having its own municipal STR ordinances. Douglas County typically requires STR operators to obtain business licenses and comply with health and safety standards, though specific zoning restrictions may apply in certain residential areas. Oregon state law requires STR operators to register with the Oregon Department of Revenue, collect transient lodging taxes, and maintain liability insurance. Recent changes in Oregon include increased state oversight and standardized registration requirements implemented around 2021-2022, though enforcement and specific restrictions can vary by county. Property owners in Days Creek should verify current Douglas County zoning regulations and obtain proper permits before operating STRs, as rural and residential zones may have different allowances than commercial areas.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Days Creek, Oregon are concentrated around the North Umpqua River corridor and Highway 227, particularly properties within 1-2 miles of the river access points, as this location attracts year-round fishing enthusiasts, especially steelhead and salmon anglers from Portland and California who visit during peak seasons from September through March. The Tiller Trail Road area offers excellent potential due to its proximity to both river access and the Umpqua National Forest boundary, drawing outdoor recreation tourists including hikers, hunters, and OHV enthusiasts who frequent the area during summer months and hunting seasons. Properties near the Days Creek Store and community center provide convenient access for guests while maintaining the rural charm that attracts visitors seeking authentic Oregon wilderness experiences. The area benefits from consistent demand from Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service contractors who require temporary housing for seasonal projects, plus weekend warriors from Roseburg and Medford (within 1-2 hours drive) seeking fishing and hunting base camps. Investment properties should focus on rustic cabins or homes that can accommodate 4-8 guests, as group bookings for fishing trips and family hunting expeditions represent the strongest market segment, with peak occupancy rates typically occurring during steelhead runs, deer and elk seasons, and summer camping periods.

Days Creek, Oregon, located in Douglas County, is subject to Oregon's statewide transient lodging tax of 1.8% on gross rental receipts for stays under 30 days, which applies to all short-term rentals including Airbnbs. Douglas County imposes an additional transient room tax of 6% on lodging accommodations, bringing the total occupancy tax rate to approximately 7.8% for Airbnb rentals in Days Creek. These taxes are typically collected from guests at the time of booking through platforms like Airbnb's automatic tax collection system, or hosts must collect them directly if not using automated collection. Hosts are required to register with the Oregon Department of Revenue and Douglas County for tax collection purposes, file monthly or quarterly returns depending on volume, and remit collected taxes by the 15th of the following month. Stays of 30 days or longer are generally exempt from transient lodging taxes as they're considered long-term rentals rather than temporary accommodations, and some jurisdictions may offer exemptions for certain types of travelers such as government employees on official business, though specific exemption details should be verified with local tax authorities.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Days Creek, Oregon would be approximately $285,000-$320,000. Property purchase costs around $220,000-$250,000 based on the median home price in rural Douglas County. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $15,000-$25,000 for quality furniture, bedding, kitchen essentials, and décor to create an appealing guest experience. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic renovations total $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees including business license, transient lodging tax registration, and potential HOA approvals cost $500-$1,500. Insurance including short-term rental coverage and liability protection runs $2,000-$3,000 annually. Utilities setup and deposits for electricity, water, internet, cable, and trash service cost $800-$1,200. First six months operating costs including utilities ($600/month), cleaning supplies and services ($300/month), maintenance reserves ($200/month), marketing ($100/month), and platform fees (3% of bookings estimated at $150/month) total approximately $8,100. Property management software, smart locks, and security systems add another $1,000-$2,000 to initial setup costs.

Airbnb properties in Days Creek, Oregon show moderate profitability potential with average nightly rates ranging from $75-120 for typical 2-3 bedroom homes, generating approximately $18,000-28,000 in annual gross revenue based on 60-70% occupancy rates. Operating expenses typically consume 40-50% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($40-60 per turnover), property management (15-25%), utilities ($150-200 monthly), insurance ($1,200-1,800 annually), and maintenance costs ($2,000-3,500 yearly). Net profit margins generally range from 15-25% after expenses, translating to $3,000-6,000 annual profit for well-managed properties. Success factors in this rural Douglas County market include proximity to outdoor recreation areas like the Umpqua National Forest, competitive pricing against nearby Roseburg properties, professional photography, and maintaining high cleanliness standards. Properties with unique features such as hot tubs, fire pits, or river access command premium rates of $130-180 per night. The seasonal nature of tourism means stronger performance during summer months (June-September) with occupancy rates reaching 80-85%, while winter months may drop to 35-45% occupancy, making year-round profitability dependent on attracting both recreational visitors and business travelers from the timber and agriculture industries that drive the local economy.

Based on Days Creek, Oregon 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 financing structure. Properties in this rural Douglas County area, purchased around $200,000-350,000, can expect gross rental yields of 10-15% annually given the limited lodging supply and proximity to outdoor recreation areas like the Umpqua National Forest. Initial profitability usually occurs within 18-24 months after accounting for startup costs, furnishing, and marketing expenses, with properties reaching full cash flow positive status by month 12-18. The seasonal nature of tourism in Oregon's Cascade foothills means peak earnings occur May through September, representing 60-70% of annual revenue, while winter months provide modest occupancy rates of 25-40%. Investment properties requiring minimal renovation work typically achieve break-even by year 2, while those needing significant updates may require 3-4 years to reach target ROI figures.

STRSearch is a national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties across markets including Days Creek, Oregon. Local real estate agents in the Roseburg and Douglas County area such as Coldwell Banker Umpqua Valley and RE/MAX Integrity often work with investors seeking vacation rental properties in rural Oregon markets like Days Creek. National services include Mashvisor, which provides Airbnb investment analysis tools, AirDNA for market data and revenue projections, and BiggerPockets for investor networking and deal sourcing. RedAwning and Vacasa offer property management services that can help investors evaluate potential returns in smaller Oregon markets. Local property management companies like Oregon Coast Vacations and Sunset Vacation Rentals, while primarily coastal-focused, sometimes extend services to inland rural properties. Real estate investment firms such as Roofstock and Awning (now part of RedAwning) provide turnkey short-term rental investment opportunities, though availability in smaller markets like Days Creek may be limited. Local mortgage brokers and lenders familiar with investment properties in Douglas County can also provide valuable market insights for Airbnb investors targeting the Days Creek area.