Is Florissant, Missouri Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Florissant, Missouri, begin by researching local regulations as Florissant requires short-term rental operators to obtain a business license through the City Clerk's office and comply with zoning ordinances that typically allow short-term rentals in residential areas with proper permits. Contact Florissant City Hall at 314-921-5555 to verify current STR requirements and obtain necessary permits, which may include a conditional use permit if operating in certain residential zones. Find a suitable property by searching areas near Historic Old Town Florissant or near major attractions like the Florissant Fossil Beds, ensuring the property meets city safety codes and HOA restrictions if applicable. Furnish the space with quality furniture, linens, and amenities while ensuring compliance with Missouri fire safety codes and installing required smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting proximity to St. Louis attractions (20 minutes away), Lambert Airport access, and local amenities like Florissant Valley Community College. For management, establish cleaning protocols between guests, implement keyless entry systems, maintain responsive communication with guests, and consider hiring local cleaning services like those found through St. Louis area providers. Ensure you collect and remit Missouri state sales tax (currently around 4.225%) plus local Florissant taxes, maintain proper insurance coverage, and keep detailed records for tax purposes while monitoring your listing's performance and guest reviews regularly.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Florissant, Missouri, focus on properties within 15-20 minutes of major attractions like the Historic Old Town district, proximity to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (20 minutes away), and near the Missouri River recreational areas. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or condos built after 1990 with modern amenities, full kitchens, parking, and outdoor spaces, as these appeal to families visiting nearby St. Louis attractions. Analyze pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against comparable properties in Florissant and neighboring Hazelwood, aiming for $80-150 per night depending on size and amenities. Research competition by studying existing Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 3-mile radius, noting occupancy rates, pricing strategies, and guest reviews to identify market gaps. Utilize STR-specific tools like Rabbu, AllTheRooms, and local market data from the St. Louis County economic development reports, while monitoring seasonal demand patterns tied to Cardinals baseball games, Blues hockey, and summer Missouri River activities. Consider properties near the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument area and ensure compliance with local zoning laws and HOA restrictions before investing.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Florissant, Missouri, you must first contact the Florissant City Hall at 955 Rue St. Francois or call (314) 921-5700 to inquire about their short-term rental regulations, as the city may require a business license and special use permit. You'll need to submit an application through the Community Development Department, providing required documents including proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of insurance with minimum $1 million liability coverage, floor plan of the rental unit, parking plan showing adequate spaces, and contact information for a local property manager if you live more than 50 miles away. The application fee is estimated at $150-300 for the initial permit plus annual renewal fees of approximately $100-200. You must also obtain a Missouri sales tax license from the Department of Revenue and register to collect local lodging taxes. The property must comply with building codes, fire safety requirements, and zoning regulations, with inspections typically required before permit approval. The timeline for approval is generally 30-60 days depending on completeness of application and inspection scheduling. Additional Florissant-specific requirements may include maximum occupancy limits based on bedrooms, noise ordinance compliance, trash collection arrangements, and maintaining a guest registry, so contact the city directly to confirm current regulations as STR laws frequently change.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Florissant, Missouri are generally legal but subject to local regulations and zoning restrictions. The city requires STR operators to obtain proper business licenses and comply with residential zoning ordinances, which typically limit rentals to owner-occupied properties or specific zoning districts. Florissant prohibits STRs in certain residential areas to preserve neighborhood character and has implemented occupancy limits, parking requirements, and noise restrictions. Property owners must register their rentals with the city, maintain liability insurance, and ensure compliance with fire safety codes. Recent changes around 2022-2023 have strengthened enforcement mechanisms and increased penalties for violations, while also clarifying permit requirements. The city has designated certain commercial and mixed-use zones where STRs face fewer restrictions, but single-family residential areas have stricter limitations including requirements for conditional use permits in some cases.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Florissant, Missouri include the Historic Old Town Florissant district, which attracts visitors interested in the area's French colonial heritage and proximity to the Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, generating steady tourism from history enthusiasts and nature lovers. The neighborhoods near Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, particularly along Lindbergh Boulevard and surrounding areas, offer excellent potential for business travelers and airline crews seeking convenient accommodations, with Boeing and other aerospace companies driving consistent demand since the early 2000s. The residential areas near St. Ferdinand Park and Coldwater Creek provide attractive options for families visiting the region's recreational facilities and those attending events at nearby venues like the Family Arena in St. Charles. Properties close to the intersection of New Halls Ferry Road and West Florissant Avenue benefit from easy highway access to downtown St. Louis, making them appealing to tourists visiting attractions like the Gateway Arch, Busch Stadium, and the Central West End, while also serving visitors to major employers like Express Scripts and Emerson Electric who frequently host business conferences and training sessions.

Airbnb properties in Florissant, Missouri are subject to Missouri state sales tax of 4.225% and St. Louis County sales tax of approximately 3.5-4%, totaling around 7.725-8.225% on lodging stays under 31 days. The City of Florissant imposes an additional local sales tax of 2%, bringing the combined rate to approximately 9.725-10.225%. These taxes are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking through their automatic tax collection service, which began around 2016-2017 for Missouri jurisdictions. Airbnb remits these taxes quarterly to the Missouri Department of Revenue and applicable local tax authorities on behalf of hosts. Stays of 31 days or longer are generally exempt from transient lodging taxes and may only be subject to regular sales tax. Property owners must register with the Missouri Department of Revenue and may need to obtain local business licenses, though specific requirements vary by jurisdiction. Some exemptions may apply for certain government employees, charitable organizations, or other qualifying entities, but these are limited and require proper documentation.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Florissant, Missouri is approximately $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase costs around $150,000-$180,000 based on median home prices in the area as of 2023-2024. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property typically runs $8,000-$12,000 including beds, living room furniture, kitchen essentials, linens, and decor. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations average $2,000-$3,500. Permits and fees in Missouri include business license ($50-$100), occupancy permits ($200-$500), and potential HOA approvals ($0-$300). Insurance for short-term rentals costs $1,200-$2,000 annually, with liability coverage being essential. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable total approximately $500-$800 initially. First six months of operating costs including utilities ($150-$250/month), cleaning supplies ($100/month), maintenance reserves ($200/month), platform fees (3% of bookings), and marketing expenses total roughly $3,000-$5,000, assuming moderate occupancy rates during the initial period.

Airbnb properties in Florissant, Missouri typically generate modest profitability with average daily rates ranging from $65-85 and occupancy rates around 45-60% annually, resulting in gross revenues of $10,000-18,000 per year for a typical 2-3 bedroom property. After accounting for expenses including mortgage payments ($800-1,200/month), utilities ($150-200/month), cleaning fees ($40-60 per turnover), property management (10-20% of revenue), insurance ($100-150/month), and maintenance costs ($1,500-3,000 annually), net profit margins typically range from 15-25% for well-managed properties. Success factors in this St. Louis suburb include proximity to Lambert Airport (driving corporate traveler demand), competitive pricing against nearby hotels like Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express, professional photography, consistent 4.8+ star ratings, and targeting the $70-80 nightly rate sweet spot that attracts both leisure and business travelers. Properties near Historic Old Town Florissant or with unique amenities like hot tubs or game rooms tend to outperform, with some hosts reporting annual net profits of $3,000-6,000 on properties purchased specifically for short-term rental investment, though success heavily depends on initial purchase price and financing terms.

Based on Florissant, Missouri market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% depending on property type and location within the city. Properties near historic Old Town Florissant or close to Lambert-St. Louis International Airport tend to perform better, with average daily rates of $75-$95 and occupancy rates around 65-75%. Initial profitability usually occurs within 12-18 months after accounting for startup costs, furnishing, and marketing expenses. Three-bedroom homes in desirable neighborhoods like Cross Keys or near St. Ferdinand Park can achieve the higher end of ROI ranges at 10-12%, while smaller properties or those in less tourist-friendly areas may see returns closer to 8-9%. The proximity to St. Louis attractions and corporate travelers visiting Boeing, Express Scripts, and other major employers in the region supports consistent demand, with seasonal peaks during summer months and Cardinals baseball season driving occupancy rates up to 80-85%.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market research, providing comprehensive data on short-term rental performance in Florissant, Missouri. Local real estate agents specializing in investment properties include Keller Williams Realty Partners serving the St. Louis metro area, RE/MAX Results with agents experienced in rental property investments, and Coldwell Banker Gundaker which has operated in the Missouri market since 1995. National services include Mashvisor for property analysis and market research, BiggerPockets for investor networking and deal sourcing, Roofstock for turnkey rental properties, and AirDNA for short-term rental market analytics. Local property management companies that assist investors include RedAwning Property Management, which has managed vacation rentals since 2009, and Gateway Property Management serving the greater St. Louis region. Additional services include Awning for short-term rental property management, Vacasa for full-service vacation rental management founded in 2009, and local investment groups like the St. Louis Real Estate Investors Association which has connected investors since 1995.