Is Epping, North Dakota Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Epping, North Dakota, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through Williams County and the City of Epping, as this small town of approximately 100 residents may have specific short-term rental ordinances or require business licenses. Contact the Epping City Hall and Williams County Planning Department to understand permit requirements, which typically include a business license ($50-100 annually) and potentially a conditional use permit for residential properties used commercially. Find a suitable property by searching local real estate listings through companies like Century 21 or independent agents familiar with the Bakken oil region, focusing on properties near Highway 2 or close to oil field worker accommodations, with prices ranging from $80,000-200,000 for typical homes. Furnish the property with durable, comfortable furniture from retailers like Menards in Williston (30 miles away) or online suppliers, ensuring you include essentials like Wi-Fi, kitchen appliances, linens, and cleaning supplies, budgeting approximately $8,000-15,000 for complete furnishing. List your property on Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com with competitive pricing around $75-125 per night given the area's oil worker demand and limited accommodation options. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, potentially hiring local cleaning services, implementing keyless entry systems, and maintaining responsive communication with guests while considering the seasonal nature of oil field work that drives much of the area's rental demand.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Epping, North Dakota, focus on properties within 2-3 miles of the Bakken oil fields and major highways like US-2, as this small town of approximately 100 residents serves primarily oil workers and travelers. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or manufactured homes built after 2000 with full kitchens, laundry facilities, reliable internet, and parking for multiple vehicles, as these features cater to extended-stay oil field workers who typically rent for 1-4 weeks at rates of $100-200 per night. Analyze pricing by researching the limited existing Airbnb listings in Epping and nearby Williston (30 miles south), where similar properties command $80-150 nightly, then price competitively at $90-140 to capture the underserved Epping market. Competition research reveals minimal STR options in Epping itself, with most workers staying in Williston or Tioga, creating opportunity for local accommodations that eliminate commute time. Utilize AirDNA for broader Bakken region data, monitor oil production reports from the North Dakota Industrial Commission, track major employers like Hess Corporation and Continental Resources for workforce patterns, and use Zillow and LoopNet for property acquisition, while connecting with local real estate agents familiar with oil patch housing demands to identify properties suitable for conversion to profitable short-term rentals serving the transient oil industry workforce.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Epping, North Dakota, contact the Epping City Hall at 701-859-4333 or visit their office at 1448 Railway Avenue to inquire about short-term rental licensing requirements, as this small city may not have established formal STR regulations yet but may require a basic business license ($25-50 annually) and compliance with residential zoning ordinances. You'll likely need to provide a completed business license application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of insurance with minimum $1 million liability coverage, floor plan showing maximum occupancy limits, and contact information for a local property manager if you're not residing locally. The application process typically takes 2-4 weeks for approval, and you may need to schedule a safety inspection with the local fire department to ensure smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and proper egress routes are installed. Additionally, register with the North Dakota Tax Commissioner for state sales tax collection (currently 5% plus local taxes), obtain a North Dakota lodging tax license, and ensure compliance with Williams County health department regulations if applicable, while maintaining guest registration records and adhering to any noise ordinances or parking restrictions specific to your residential neighborhood in Epping.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Epping, North Dakota are generally legal but operate under minimal local regulation as of 2024. Epping, a small city in Williams County with approximately 800 residents, does not have comprehensive STR-specific ordinances, allowing property owners to rent their homes for short periods under basic zoning compliance. The city requires STR operators to obtain standard business licenses and comply with existing residential zoning laws, health codes, and fire safety regulations. There are no specific prohibited areas within Epping's city limits, though operators must ensure their properties meet basic habitability standards and do not violate noise ordinances or parking restrictions. Recent legal changes have been minimal due to the city's small size and limited STR activity compared to larger North Dakota cities like Fargo or Bismarck, though Williams County has seen increased interest in temporary housing due to oil industry activity in the Bakken formation. Property owners should verify current licensing requirements with Epping City Hall and ensure compliance with state tax obligations, as North Dakota requires STR operators to collect and remit state sales tax and local lodging taxes where applicable.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Epping, North Dakota are primarily concentrated around the downtown core near Main Street and the areas adjacent to Highway 2, which serve as the primary commercial corridor. The downtown district attracts visitors due to its proximity to local businesses, restaurants, and the Buffalo Trails Museum, while also accommodating travelers passing through on Highway 2 between Minot and Williston. The residential neighborhoods south of the railroad tracks, particularly around 2nd and 3rd Streets, offer attractive investment opportunities due to their quiet family-friendly atmosphere while remaining within walking distance of amenities. The area near the Epping Community Center and school district draws visitors attending local events, sports tournaments, and family gatherings. Properties near the grain elevators and agricultural facilities can capture business travelers and agricultural consultants visiting during harvest seasons from August through October. The northern residential areas near the city limits provide opportunities for larger properties that can accommodate hunting parties during deer and waterfowl seasons, as the region's proximity to wildlife management areas makes it popular with outdoor enthusiasts from October through December.

In Epping, North Dakota, Airbnb properties are subject to North Dakota's state lodging tax of 4% on gross receipts from short-term rentals under 30 days, which is collected by the host and remitted monthly to the North Dakota Tax Commissioner's office by the 15th of the following month if monthly collections exceed $50. Williams County, where Epping is located, imposes an additional 3% lodging tax that must be collected and remitted quarterly to the Williams County Auditor's office. The city of Epping itself does not currently impose a separate municipal lodging or occupancy tax as of 2023. Hosts must register with both the state and county tax authorities before beginning operations, and exemptions typically apply only to stays of 30 days or longer, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient lodging. All taxes are calculated on the total rental amount excluding cleaning fees, and hosts are required to provide guests with receipts showing the tax amounts collected.

Starting an Airbnb in Epping, North Dakota requires approximately $180,000-220,000 in total initial investment. Property purchase costs around $150,000-180,000 based on median home prices in rural North Dakota oil boom towns like Epping. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property costs $15,000-25,000 including beds, living room furniture, kitchen essentials, linens, and décor from retailers like IKEA, Wayfair, and local furniture stores. Initial setup expenses total $3,000-5,000 covering professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic renovations. Permits and fees range $500-1,500 including business license, short-term rental permit from Williams County, and potential HOA approvals. Insurance costs $2,000-3,000 annually for landlord and short-term rental coverage through companies like Proper Insurance or CBIZ. Utility setup and deposits require $500-800 for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable services. First six months operating costs total $8,000-12,000 including utilities ($200-300/month), cleaning services ($100-150 per turnover), maintenance supplies ($200/month), property management software like Airbnb or VRBO fees (3% of bookings), and marketing expenses, assuming 60-70% occupancy rates typical for Bakken oil field area accommodations during 2023-2024.

Airbnb properties in Epping, North Dakota show moderate profitability potential, with average nightly rates ranging from $75-120 due to the town's proximity to oil industry activity in the Bakken formation. Property owners typically generate $18,000-35,000 in annual gross revenue for well-maintained 2-3 bedroom homes, while expenses including mortgage payments, utilities, cleaning fees, insurance, and maintenance average $12,000-22,000 annually, resulting in net profit margins of 25-40%. Success factors include targeting oil workers and contractors seeking extended stays, maintaining properties to hotel-like standards, and strategic pricing during peak drilling seasons when occupancy can reach 80-90%. A typical case involves a renovated 3-bedroom home purchased for $180,000 in 2019 that generates $2,800 monthly revenue with $1,600 in expenses, yielding $14,400 annual profit and 18% ROI. Properties closer to industrial sites and those offering amenities like high-speed internet, laundry facilities, and parking perform significantly better, with some owners reporting occupancy rates above 75% and profit margins exceeding 45% during boom periods, though profitability fluctuates with oil market conditions and seasonal workforce demands.

Airbnb investments in Epping, North Dakota typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, primarily driven by oil industry workers and temporary housing demand in the Bakken region. Properties in Epping, purchased around $150,000-$250,000, can achieve monthly rental income of $1,800-$2,800 during peak oil activity periods, with occupancy rates averaging 65-75% annually. Investors can expect to reach profitability within 18-24 months, factoring in initial renovation costs of $15,000-$25,000 for most properties. The market benefits from limited hotel inventory and consistent demand from Hess Corporation and other energy companies operating in the area, though returns fluctuate with oil prices and drilling activity. Cash-on-cash returns peak at 12-15% during high oil production periods but may drop to 4-6% during industry downturns, making the 24-36 month timeframe more realistic for sustained profitability in this volatile but potentially lucrative market.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors looking to enter the Airbnb market in Epping, North Dakota. Local real estate agents like Century 21 Morrison Realty and RE/MAX of Williston serve the Epping area and can assist with Airbnb investment properties, while Coldwell Banker and Keller Williams have regional offices that cover western North Dakota markets. National services include AirDNA for market analysis and revenue projections, Mashvisor for investment property analytics, and BiggerPockets for networking with other STR investors. RedAwning and Vacasa offer property management services for Airbnb investments in smaller North Dakota markets. Local property management companies like Dakota Property Management and Bakken Property Services have expanded to include short-term rental management in the oil boom regions. Real estate investment firms such as Roofstock and Fundrise occasionally feature North Dakota properties, while local agents like those at Eide Realty and First International Bank & Trust's real estate division understand the unique dynamics of the Bakken region's rental market that affects Epping's investment potential.