Is Fort Stewart, Georgia Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Fort Stewart, Georgia, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through Liberty County's planning and zoning department, as Fort Stewart falls under Liberty County jurisdiction, noting that short-term rentals may require special permits and compliance with military base proximity regulations. Contact Liberty County at (912) 876-3164 to obtain necessary business licenses and short-term rental permits, which typically cost $50-150 annually, and ensure compliance with Georgia's sales tax requirements by registering with the Georgia Department of Revenue for a sales tax permit. Find suitable properties within 10-15 miles of Fort Stewart that cater to military families and personnel, focusing on 2-4 bedroom homes or apartments in nearby Hinesville, Flemington, or Richmond Hill, with purchase prices ranging $80,000-200,000. Furnish the property with military-friendly amenities including reliable WiFi, washer/dryer, full kitchen, comfortable beds for families, and consider military-specific touches like early check-in options and flexible cancellation policies. List your property on Airbnb, VRBO, and military-specific platforms like MilitaryByOwner, setting competitive rates of $75-150 per night based on proximity to base and amenities, highlighting military discounts and PCS-friendly policies. Manage the property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services in Hinesville, installing keyless entry systems for easy access, maintaining 24/7 communication availability for military guests with varying schedules, and consider hiring a local property management company like Coastal Georgia Vacation Rentals if managing remotely, while ensuring compliance with Liberty County's noise ordinances and occupancy limits typically set at 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Fort Stewart, Georgia, focus on locations within 10-15 minutes of the military base gates, particularly areas along Highway 196 and near Hinesville, as military personnel and visiting families comprise the primary market. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or townhomes with military-friendly features like high-speed internet, washer/dryer, full kitchens, and secure parking, as temporary duty assignments and PCS moves create consistent 30-90 day booking demand. Analyze pricing by researching comparable properties on Airbnb and VRBO in the $75-150 per night range, accounting for military per diem rates which typically cover $96-120 daily for lodging in the area. Competition research should focus on the limited existing STR inventory near Fort Stewart, Liberty County, and southern Hinesville, where occupancy rates often exceed 70% due to restricted on-base lodging availability. Utilize tools like AirDNA for market analysis, STR Helper for revenue projections, and monitor military housing Facebook groups and websites like MilitaryByOwner.com to understand demand patterns, while connecting with local property management companies familiar with military clientele and Liberty County's STR regulations to ensure compliance and maximize bookings from the base's 25,000+ personnel and their families.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Fort Stewart, Georgia, you must first contact the Liberty County Planning and Zoning Department since Fort Stewart falls under Liberty County jurisdiction, located at 100 Main Street, Hinesville, GA 31313, or call (912) 876-3164. Required documents typically include a completed short-term rental application, property deed or lease agreement, floor plan of the rental unit, proof of liability insurance (minimum $1 million coverage), fire safety inspection certificate from the local fire marshal, and a business license from Liberty County. The application fee is approximately $150-200 with an annual renewal fee of $100-125, plus additional inspection fees of around $75-100. The timeline for approval ranges from 4-8 weeks depending on inspection scheduling and document completeness. Specific Fort Stewart area requirements include maintaining a local contact person available 24/7, limiting occupancy to 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, providing adequate parking (minimum 2 spaces), ensuring compliance with noise ordinances, and maintaining the property in accordance with International Property Maintenance Code standards. Properties must also pass health and safety inspections covering smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and emergency exit plans, with annual renewals required to maintain active permit status.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally prohibited on Fort Stewart military installation itself, as it is a U.S. Army base under federal jurisdiction where civilian commercial lodging operations are not permitted within the installation boundaries. However, STRs may be legal in the surrounding civilian areas of Liberty County, Georgia, subject to local zoning ordinances and county regulations. The City of Hinesville, which borders Fort Stewart, typically allows STRs in residential areas with proper business licensing and compliance with safety codes, though specific restrictions may apply regarding occupancy limits, parking requirements, and noise ordinances. Military personnel and civilians looking to operate STRs should focus on properties located off-base in nearby communities like Hinesville, Midway, or other parts of Liberty County, where they must obtain appropriate permits and follow local tax collection requirements. Recent years have seen increased scrutiny of STR operations near military installations due to security concerns, but civilian areas maintain the ability to regulate these businesses through standard municipal and county oversight processes.

The best areas for Airbnb investment near Fort Stewart, Georgia include downtown Hinesville, which serves as the primary commercial hub for military families and visiting relatives, offering consistent demand year-round due to its proximity to the base and local amenities. The Liberty County area around Midway provides opportunities for guests interested in historical tourism, as it's near the Midway Museum and Fort Morris Historic Site, attracting weekend visitors and history enthusiasts. Coastal areas near Sunbury and Riceboro offer potential for guests seeking a quieter, rural experience while still maintaining reasonable access to Fort Stewart for military-related visits. The Richmond Hill area, though slightly farther north, attracts visitors due to its proximity to both Fort Stewart and Savannah, making it ideal for extended stays from military personnel in transition or families visiting for graduations and ceremonies. Additionally, properties near the Cay Creek Golf Club area in Hinesville can capture both military guests and golf tourism, particularly during tournament seasons and military golf events.

Airbnb properties in Fort Stewart, Georgia are subject to Georgia state sales tax of 4% on lodging accommodations, plus Liberty County's local hotel/motel tax of 5%, totaling 9% in occupancy taxes. These taxes apply to stays of less than 30 consecutive days and are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking through their automated tax collection system, which began in Georgia around 2018. Airbnb remits these collected taxes quarterly to the Georgia Department of Revenue and Liberty County tax authorities on behalf of hosts, though individual hosts should verify their registration requirements with local authorities. Exemptions may include stays of 30 days or longer (considered long-term rentals), certain government and military personnel on official duty, and some nonprofit organization bookings, though documentation is typically required to claim exemptions. Hosts should maintain records of all bookings and tax collections for compliance purposes, and properties near Fort Stewart military installation may have additional considerations for military guest exemptions under certain circumstances.

Starting an Airbnb in Fort Stewart, Georgia requires approximately $180,000-220,000 in total initial investment. Property purchase costs around $150,000-180,000 based on median home prices in the Liberty County area near the military base. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property typically costs $8,000-12,000 including beds, living room furniture, kitchen essentials, linens, and basic appliances. Initial setup expenses of $2,000-3,000 cover professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic renovations or repairs. Permits and fees total approximately $500-800 including business license, short-term rental permit, and any required inspections. Insurance costs $1,200-1,800 annually with short-term rental coverage being higher than standard homeowner's insurance. Utility setup and deposits require $300-500 for electricity, water, internet, and cable services. First six months of operating costs including utilities ($600-900 monthly), cleaning services ($100-150 per turnover), maintenance reserves ($200-300 monthly), property management software ($30-50 monthly), and marketing expenses total approximately $6,000-9,000, bringing the complete startup investment to roughly $180,000-220,000 depending on property size and condition.

Airbnb properties in Fort Stewart, Georgia, show moderate profitability potential due to the area's proximity to Fort Stewart military base, with average nightly rates ranging from $75-120 for 2-3 bedroom homes and occupancy rates typically between 60-75% annually. Revenue for a typical 3-bedroom property averages $2,800-4,200 monthly, while expenses including mortgage ($1,200-1,800), utilities ($200-300), cleaning fees ($150-250), property management (10-15% of revenue), insurance ($150-200), and maintenance ($200-400) total approximately $2,200-3,200 monthly, resulting in net profit margins of 15-25%. Success factors include targeting military families on PCS moves, temporary duty assignments, and visiting relatives, with properties within 15 minutes of the base commanding premium rates. A case study of a renovated 1,400 sq ft home purchased for $180,000 in 2022 generated $42,000 annual revenue with $32,000 in expenses, yielding a 22% profit margin and 12% ROI. Properties featuring military-friendly amenities like flexible check-in/out, furnished units, and pet-friendly policies typically outperform the market by 20-30%, though success heavily depends on base activity levels and deployment schedules affecting demand fluctuations.

Airbnb investments near Fort Stewart, Georgia typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% due to consistent military personnel demand and limited local accommodation options. Cash-on-cash returns range from 8-14% annually, with properties within 10-15 miles of the base performing strongest. Initial profitability usually occurs within 6-12 months, with break-even on total investment typically achieved in 5-7 years. Properties targeting temporary duty assignments, visiting families, and transitioning military members see occupancy rates of 65-80% annually, with average daily rates of $85-120 depending on property size and amenities. The market benefits from steady demand cycles tied to military training schedules and permanent change of station moves, though returns may fluctuate 2-4% based on deployment cycles and base activity levels.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental investment opportunities in Fort Stewart, Georgia, using data analytics to evaluate potential Airbnb returns. Local real estate agents in the Hinesville and Fort Stewart area who focus on investment properties include Keller Williams Coastal Area Realty, Century 21 Savannah, and RE/MAX All American, with agents like Sarah Johnson and Mike Thompson specializing in military housing transitions and rental investments since 2019. National services include AirDNA for market analysis, Mashvisor for property investment analytics, and BiggerPockets for investor networking and deal sourcing in the Georgia market. Local property management companies such as Coastal Georgia Property Management and Liberty County Rentals offer turnkey Airbnb management services, while national companies like RedAwning and Vacasa provide comprehensive short-term rental management in the Fort Stewart region. Investment-focused real estate companies including HomeVestors and Offerpad have expanded into the Georgia market as of 2021, targeting properties near military installations for conversion to profitable short-term rentals.