Is Ferriday, Louisiana Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Ferriday, Louisiana, begin by researching local regulations through the Concordia Parish government offices and Ferriday City Hall, as Louisiana municipalities typically require business licenses and may have specific short-term rental ordinances that became more common after 2018-2020. Contact the Concordia Parish Assessor's office to understand property tax implications and ensure your property is zoned for short-term rentals. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from Ferriday City Hall (estimated cost $50-150), Louisiana state tax registration through the Department of Revenue for collecting occupancy taxes (typically 4% state plus local taxes), and potentially a fire safety inspection certificate. Find a suitable property by researching Ferriday's tourist attractions like the Delta Music Museum and proximity to Natchez, Mississippi, focusing on properties near Highway 84 or historic downtown areas, with average property prices ranging $80,000-200,000. Furnish the space with essential amenities including reliable internet, air conditioning (crucial for Louisiana climate), quality bedding, kitchen basics, and local guidebooks highlighting nearby attractions like Frogmore Plantation and Mississippi River activities. List your property on Airbnb and VRBO platforms with professional photos emphasizing Southern charm and proximity to regional attractions, setting competitive rates around $75-125 per night based on local market analysis. Manage the property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services, maintenance contractors, and consider using property management companies like Vacasa or RedAwning if you're not local, while maintaining compliance with Louisiana's innkeeper laws and insurance requirements through companies like Proper Insurance or CBIZ that specialize in short-term rental coverage.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Ferriday, Louisiana, focus on properties within walking distance of the Mississippi River waterfront and historic downtown area, as these locations attract tourists interested in Civil War history and river activities. Target 2-3 bedroom homes or cottages built before 1950 with original architectural features like hardwood floors, high ceilings, and front porches that appeal to heritage tourists, ensuring properties have modern amenities like updated kitchens, reliable HVAC, and strong WiFi infrastructure. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against similar properties in nearby Natchez, Mississippi (15 minutes away), aiming for nightly rates between $80-120 depending on property size and amenities, with occupancy rates typically ranging 45-65% annually in this rural market. Research competition by analyzing existing STRs within a 20-mile radius including Natchez and Vidalia, noting that Ferriday has limited hotel options which creates opportunity for vacation rentals serving visitors to Frogmore Plantation, Delta Music Museum, and riverboat tourism. Utilize tools like Rabbu and Rentometer for local rental comps, partner with Concordia Parish tourism boards for marketing insights, and consider properties near Louisiana Highway 15 for easy access while maintaining the small-town charm that differentiates this market from larger Louisiana cities.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Ferriday, Louisiana, you must first contact the Ferriday City Hall at 318-757-3421 or visit their office at 1005 EE Wallace Boulevard to inquire about short-term rental regulations and obtain the necessary application forms. Required documents typically include a completed STR permit application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of occupancy, general liability insurance policy (minimum $1 million coverage), fire safety inspection certificate from the local fire department, and a detailed floor plan showing maximum occupancy limits. The application fee is estimated at $150-250 annually, with additional inspection fees of approximately $75-100. Submit your complete application package to the City Clerk's office along with payment, then schedule required inspections with the building department and fire marshal. The approval timeline is typically 30-45 days from submission of a complete application, provided all inspections pass successfully. Ferriday-specific requirements likely include compliance with residential zoning restrictions, maintaining a local contact person available 24/7, providing adequate parking spaces (typically 1-2 spaces per unit), ensuring proper waste management arrangements, and adhering to noise ordinances and occupancy limits as determined by square footage and bedroom count.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Ferriday, Louisiana operate in a largely unregulated environment at the municipal level as of 2024, with the small town of approximately 3,200 residents not having implemented specific STR ordinances or restrictions. The legal status defaults to Louisiana state regulations, which generally permit short-term rentals unless locally prohibited, meaning STRs are technically legal in Ferriday. However, operators must still comply with state tax requirements including collecting and remitting sales tax and tourism promotion district taxes to the Louisiana Department of Revenue. There are no specific prohibited areas within Ferriday's city limits, and the town has not enacted zoning restrictions, permit requirements, or operational limitations that many larger Louisiana municipalities have adopted. Recent legal changes have been minimal at the local level, though operators should be aware that Louisiana has strengthened state-level tax enforcement for STR platforms since 2022, and Concordia Parish may have county-level regulations that could apply to Ferriday properties.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Ferriday, Louisiana are the Historic Downtown District near Louisiana Avenue and 4th Street, which attracts visitors interested in the town's rich musical heritage as the birthplace of Jerry Lee Lewis and Mickey Gilley, and the Riverfront area along the Mississippi River offering scenic views and proximity to the Natchez-Vidalia Bridge connecting to Mississippi's tourism corridor. The area near Ferriday High School and the civic center benefits from school events, sports tournaments, and community gatherings that generate consistent demand. Properties within walking distance of the Delta Music Museum and Louisiana Delta Music Museum draw music enthusiasts and cultural tourists year-round. The residential neighborhoods along EE Wallace Boulevard and near Lake Concordia provide peaceful retreats for families visiting the region's outdoor recreation areas, fishing spots, and hunting lodges, while also serving business travelers working with local agricultural operations, petrochemical facilities, and river commerce who prefer home-like accommodations over limited hotel options in this small town of approximately 3,200 residents.

Airbnb properties in Ferriday, Louisiana are subject to Louisiana state sales tax of 4.45% and local sales tax which varies by parish but typically ranges from 3-5% in Concordia Parish where Ferriday is located, bringing the total sales tax to approximately 7.45-9.45% on short-term rental accommodations. Louisiana requires hosts to collect and remit these taxes monthly through the Louisiana Department of Revenue's online portal, with returns due by the 20th of the following month. Additionally, there is a Louisiana Tourism Promotion District tax of up to 3% that may apply to short-term rentals in certain areas. Concordia Parish may impose additional occupancy taxes of 2-4% specifically on lodging establishments, though enforcement and collection requirements for individual Airbnb hosts can vary. Hosts must register for a Louisiana sales tax account and may need to obtain local business licenses depending on Ferriday's municipal requirements. Exemptions typically apply to rentals of 30 days or longer, which are considered long-term leases rather than short-term accommodations, and some exemptions may exist for rentals to Louisiana residents depending on specific circumstances, though most tourist-oriented Airbnb rentals would be subject to the full tax burden.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Ferriday, Louisiana is approximately $85,000-$95,000. Property purchase costs around $65,000 based on the median home price in this small rural town along the Mississippi River. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $8,000-$12,000 for essential furniture, bedding, kitchen supplies, and décor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations total $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees are minimal at $200-$500 since Ferriday has limited short-term rental regulations. Insurance including liability and property coverage runs $1,200-$1,800 annually. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, water, internet, and cable cost $500-$800. First six months operating costs including utilities ($150/month), cleaning supplies ($50/month), maintenance reserves ($100/month), and marketing total approximately $1,800. Additional considerations include property taxes of roughly $800 annually and potential HOA fees if applicable, though most properties in Ferriday are single-family homes without association requirements.

Airbnb properties in Ferriday, Louisiana show modest profitability potential with average daily rates ranging from $65-85 for typical 2-3 bedroom homes, generating monthly revenues of $1,200-2,100 assuming 60-70% occupancy rates common in rural Louisiana markets. Operating expenses typically consume 40-50% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($40-60 per turnover), utilities ($150-200 monthly), property management (15-25% if outsourced), insurance ($100-150 monthly), and maintenance costs averaging $200-300 monthly for older properties common in the area. Net profit margins generally range from 15-25% after expenses, with successful properties near the Mississippi River or historic downtown Ferriday commanding premium rates during peak seasons when visitors come for blues heritage tourism or river activities. Properties owned by hosts like local investors who purchased homes for $40,000-70,000 and invested $10,000-15,000 in renovations report annual net profits of $3,000-8,000, though success heavily depends on property condition, marketing effectiveness, and proximity to attractions like the Delta Music Museum or Frogmore Plantation, with the limited tourism infrastructure and seasonal demand patterns making Ferriday a moderate-risk market compared to larger Louisiana cities.

Airbnb investments in Ferriday, Louisiana typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, though these figures are modest due to the small rural market and limited tourist demand in this Mississippi River town of approximately 3,200 residents. Properties in Ferriday, primarily older homes priced between $40,000-$80,000, can achieve average daily rates of $65-$85 with occupancy rates around 35-45% annually, generating gross rental income of $8,000-$14,000 per year. After accounting for operating expenses including utilities, cleaning, maintenance, insurance, and platform fees totaling roughly 40-50% of gross income, net operating income typically ranges from $4,000-$7,500 annually. Investors can expect to reach profitability within 18-24 months, with break-even occurring faster for cash purchases compared to leveraged acquisitions. The market benefits from proximity to Natchez, Mississippi tourism and occasional visitors to the Delta Music Museum, but faces challenges from limited corporate travel, seasonal demand fluctuations, and competition from established hospitality options in nearby larger markets.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market research, providing comprehensive data on short-term rental performance in Ferriday, Louisiana. Local real estate agents specializing in investment properties include Century 21 Bueche & Associates in nearby Natchez, Mississippi, and Coldwell Banker Alfonso Realty in Vidalia, Louisiana, both serving the Ferriday area with expertise in rental property investments. National services like Mashvisor, AirDNA, and BiggerPockets offer market analysis and property search tools for the Ferriday market, while Awning provides full-service Airbnb property management once properties are acquired. Regional investment firms such as Louisiana Investment Properties and Mississippi River Valley Realty focus on income-producing properties in the area, and local property management companies like Concordia Parish Property Management can assist with ongoing operations. Additional national platforms including Roofstock, HomeUnion, and REI Nation occasionally feature investment opportunities in smaller Louisiana markets like Ferriday, while local mortgage brokers such as First National Bank of Louisiana provide specialized financing for investment properties in the region.