Is Earlville, New York Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Earlville, New York, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through Madison County and the Town of Sherburne, as Earlville operates under local municipal codes that may require short-term rental permits or business licenses, which typically cost $50-150 annually. Contact the Madison County Planning Department and local code enforcement to understand specific requirements, as some areas may restrict short-term rentals in residential zones or require special use permits. Find a suitable property by searching local real estate listings, considering proximity to attractions like the Earlville Opera House, and ensure the property meets safety codes including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and adequate egress routes. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from the town clerk, potential sales tax certificate from New York State Department of Taxation, and ensure compliance with New York State's short-term rental tax requirements. Furnish the property with essential amenities including quality bedding, kitchen supplies, WiFi, and local guidebooks, budgeting approximately $3,000-8,000 for initial furnishing depending on property size. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos, competitive pricing research showing similar properties in the Chenango Valley region rent for $75-150 per night, and highlight local attractions like nearby state parks and the historic village center. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols, guest communication systems, and consider using property management software or hiring local cleaning services, while maintaining compliance with New York's Host Compliance requirements and collecting applicable occupancy taxes of 4% plus local taxes.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Earlville, New York, focus on properties within 10-15 minutes of key attractions like the Chenango River and outdoor recreation areas, as this rural market attracts visitors seeking peaceful retreats and nature activities. Target 2-4 bedroom homes or cabins with unique features such as waterfront access, large yards, fire pits, or historic charm, as these command premium rates of $80-150 per night in the region. Conduct pricing analysis by researching comparable Airbnb listings within a 20-mile radius including Norwich and Hamilton, examining seasonal rate fluctuations that typically peak during fall foliage season and summer months. Competition research should focus on the limited existing STR inventory in Earlville proper, analyzing occupancy rates and guest reviews on platforms like AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify gaps in amenities or service quality. Utilize tools such as Zillow and Realtor.com for property acquisition, STR Helper for market analysis, and local resources like the Madison County Tourism Office for understanding visitor patterns, while considering properties under $200,000 that can generate 15-25% annual returns through strategic positioning as countryside escapes for urban dwellers from Syracuse, Albany, and New York City seeking weekend getaways.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Earlville, New York, you must first contact the Earlville Village Clerk's office at the Village Hall located on Main Street to inquire about short-term rental regulations, as this small village may not have formal STR permitting processes established yet. You'll likely need to provide a completed business license application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of occupancy, proof of liability insurance (typically $1 million minimum), fire safety inspection certificate, and a site plan showing parking and egress routes. The application fee is estimated at $100-250 annually, with additional inspection fees of approximately $75-150. Since Earlville falls under Madison County jurisdiction, you may also need to comply with county health department requirements for septic and water systems, obtain a sales tax certificate from New York State, and register with the state tax department for occupancy tax collection. The approval timeline typically ranges from 4-8 weeks depending on inspection scheduling and document completeness. Specific Earlville requirements likely include maintaining adequate off-street parking (minimum 2 spaces), ensuring compliance with residential zoning restrictions, providing 24/7 contact information for emergencies, and adhering to noise ordinances with quiet hours typically from 10 PM to 7 AM, though you should verify current local ordinances as regulations may have been updated since 2023.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Earlville, New York are generally legal but subject to local zoning regulations and New York State requirements. As a small village in Madison County, Earlville follows county and state guidelines that typically require STR operators to register with the state, collect occupancy taxes, and comply with safety standards including smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. The village likely restricts STRs to residential zones and may require special use permits or conditional use permits depending on the property type and duration of rentals. Recent changes in New York State law around 2022-2023 have strengthened registration requirements and tax collection obligations for STR platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. Property owners must also comply with local building codes, parking requirements, and noise ordinances, with potential restrictions on the number of guests and vehicles allowed. While there are no blanket prohibitions in residential areas, commercial or industrial zones may have different rules, and operators should verify current local ordinances with Madison County and Earlville village officials as regulations can change.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Earlville, New York are concentrated around the village center near Route 12B and the Hamilton-Earlville Central School district, which attracts visiting families and educators throughout the school year. The residential neighborhoods along Broad Street and North Main Street offer proximity to local amenities while maintaining the rural charm that draws visitors seeking peaceful retreats from urban areas like Syracuse (45 minutes away) and Utica (30 minutes away). Properties near the Earlville Opera House, a historic venue that hosts performances and cultural events, benefit from increased demand during show seasons and summer festivals. The area around Poolville Road and towards the Madison County Agricultural Center sees interest from visitors attending agricultural events, 4-H competitions, and county fairs. Additionally, homes within walking distance of local antique shops and the Earlville Free Library appeal to cultural tourists and genealogy researchers exploring central New York's history, while the proximity to Colgate University in nearby Hamilton (15 minutes) creates demand from visiting academics, prospective students, and families during graduation and homecoming events.

Airbnb properties in Earlville, New York are subject to New York State sales tax of 8% on lodging stays of less than 30 days, which is collected by the host and remitted quarterly to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance through their online system. Madison County, where Earlville is located, imposes an additional 3% occupancy tax on short-term rentals, bringing the total tax rate to approximately 11% for stays under 30 days. Hosts must register with both state and county tax authorities, collect taxes at the time of booking or check-in, and file returns quarterly for state taxes and monthly for county taxes, with payments due by the 20th of the month following the reporting period. Properties rented for 30 days or longer are generally exempt from these occupancy taxes, and certain agricultural or educational lodging may qualify for exemptions under specific circumstances, though hosts must apply for and receive approval for such exemptions from the respective tax authorities.

To start an Airbnb in Earlville, New York, the total costs would be approximately $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at $150,000-$180,000 based on median home prices in rural upstate New York communities like Earlville. Furnishing costs would range $8,000-$12,000 for quality furniture, bedding, kitchenware, and decor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations would be $2,000-$3,500. Permits and fees vary by local regulations but typically cost $500-$1,200 for business licenses and short-term rental permits. Insurance specifically for short-term rentals would cost $1,200-$2,000 annually. Utilities including electricity, water, heating, internet, and cable would run $300-$500 monthly or $1,800-$3,000 for six months. First six months operating costs including cleaning services, supplies, maintenance, marketing, and platform fees would total approximately $3,500-$6,000. Additional considerations include property taxes, which in Madison County average 2-3% annually, and potential HOA fees if applicable, though many properties in rural Earlville are not subject to HOA restrictions.

Airbnb properties in Earlville, New York typically generate modest returns due to the rural location and limited tourist demand, with average nightly rates ranging from $75-120 for entire homes and occupancy rates around 35-45% annually. Revenue for a typical 2-3 bedroom property averages $8,000-15,000 per year, while expenses including property taxes ($2,000-4,000), utilities ($1,200-2,400), cleaning fees ($1,500-3,000), insurance ($800-1,200), and maintenance ($1,000-2,500) total approximately $6,500-13,100 annually, resulting in profit margins of 10-25% for most properties. Success factors in this market include proximity to outdoor recreation areas like Madison County forests, competitive pricing below $100/night, excellent guest communication, and targeting longer stays from remote workers or visitors to nearby Colgate University in Hamilton. Properties within 15 minutes of Hamilton or featuring unique amenities like hot tubs or fire pits tend to achieve 50-60% occupancy rates and $18,000-25,000 annual revenue, while basic rural properties without distinctive features often struggle with 25-35% occupancy and may operate at break-even or slight losses after accounting for time investment and vacancy periods.

Airbnb investments in Earlville, New York typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, based on the rural upstate market dynamics and seasonal tourism patterns in the region. Properties in Earlville, located in Madison County, benefit from proximity to Colgate University in nearby Hamilton and outdoor recreation areas, with average nightly rates of $85-120 during peak seasons and occupancy rates of 45-60% annually. Initial investment costs are relatively low compared to urban markets, with typical properties ranging from $150,000-250,000, requiring renovations of $20,000-40,000 to meet Airbnb standards. Cash-on-cash returns tend to be higher in the first 2-3 years at 8-12% due to lower acquisition costs, while timeframe to profitability typically occurs within 18-24 months assuming proper marketing and property management. The market shows steady growth potential driven by visitors to local colleges, seasonal hunters and fishermen, and families seeking rural getaways within driving distance of Syracuse and Albany metropolitan areas.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for Airbnb investors in Earlville, New York. Local real estate agents serving the Earlville area include Coldwell Banker Timberland Properties, Century 21 Country Realty, and Keller Williams Mohawk Valley, who have experience with investment properties in rural New York markets. National services like Awning, RedAwning, and Vacasa provide comprehensive Airbnb investment analysis and property management services that cover upstate New York markets including Earlville. AirDNA and Mashvisor offer market analytics and investment property search tools specifically for short-term rental investors looking at smaller markets like Earlville. Additional local resources include RE/MAX Above the Rest and Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, both of which have agents familiar with the Madison County investment property market where Earlville is located.