Is Gold Beach, Oregon Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Gold Beach, Oregon, begin by researching local regulations through Curry County and the City of Gold Beach, as Oregon requires short-term rental operators to register with the state and obtain a Transient Lodging Tax license, while Gold Beach typically requires a business license and may have specific zoning restrictions for vacation rentals. Contact Gold Beach City Hall at 541-247-7610 to verify current ordinances, occupancy limits, and parking requirements, then apply for necessary permits including a state registration number through Oregon's Department of Revenue and any required local business licenses, which may cost $50-200 annually. Find a suitable property by searching MLS listings, Zillow, or working with local realtors like Siskiyou Coast Realty, focusing on properties zoned for short-term rentals and considering proximity to the beach, Rogue River, and downtown attractions. Furnish the space with coastal-themed decor, essential amenities like WiFi, full kitchen, quality linens, and outdoor furniture to capitalize on Gold Beach's natural beauty, budgeting $5,000-15,000 for a complete setup. Create listings on Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com with professional photos highlighting ocean views, beach access, and local attractions like the Rogue River Jet Boat trips and Oregon Coast beaches, setting competitive rates based on seasonal demand with summer rates potentially $150-300+ per night. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols, coordinating with local cleaning services like those found through Gold Beach Chamber of Commerce, implementing keyless entry systems, and maintaining responsive communication with guests while ensuring compliance with Oregon's 1% statewide transient tax and any local lodging taxes.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Gold Beach, Oregon, focus on locations within 0.5 miles of the beach, particularly properties with ocean views or easy beach access along the Rogue River mouth area, as these command premium rates of $200-400 per night during peak summer months. Target 2-4 bedroom homes or condos built after 1980 with modern amenities, outdoor spaces, pet-friendly features, and parking, as Gold Beach attracts families and outdoor enthusiasts visiting for fishing, hiking, and beach activities. Analyze comparable properties using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify average daily rates ($150-300 depending on season and proximity to beach), occupancy rates (typically 60-75% annually with peaks in July-September), and revenue potential of $40,000-80,000 annually for well-positioned properties. Research competition by monitoring existing Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 3-mile radius, noting gaps in amenities or underpriced properties, while considering that Gold Beach has approximately 50-80 active STR listings competing for tourists visiting Oregon's southern coast. Utilize tools like AirDNA for market data, STR Helper for performance tracking, and consult with local real estate agents familiar with Curry County's STR regulations, while monitoring seasonal trends tied to salmon fishing seasons, summer beach tourism, and storm watching in winter months.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Gold Beach, Oregon, you must first contact the Gold Beach Planning Department at City Hall located at 94235 3rd Street, as Gold Beach requires a Conditional Use Permit for short-term rentals in residential zones. Begin by submitting a land use application which costs approximately $350-500, along with required documents including a site plan showing the property layout, parking arrangements, and septic system information, proof of property ownership or authorization letter from owner, a detailed operational plan describing guest capacity and management procedures, and evidence of adequate parking spaces (typically 2 spaces minimum). The application process involves a public hearing before the Planning Commission, requiring additional notification fees of around $200-300 for mailing notices to neighboring properties within 250 feet. You must also obtain a business license from the city for approximately $50-75 annually and register with the Oregon Department of Revenue for transient lodging tax collection. The entire approval process typically takes 60-90 days from application submission, including the mandatory 21-day public comment period and Planning Commission review. Gold Beach specifically requires STRs to maintain septic system compliance, provide adequate off-street parking, limit occupancy based on septic capacity, designate a local contact person available 24/7, and comply with noise ordinances and neighborhood compatibility standards.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in Gold Beach, Oregon, but operate under specific regulations established by Curry County and the City of Gold Beach. As of 2023, STRs must obtain proper licensing and permits, with requirements including business licenses, transient lodging taxes, and compliance with zoning ordinances that typically allow vacation rentals in residential areas with certain restrictions on occupancy limits and parking requirements. The city has implemented noise ordinances and good neighbor policies to address community concerns, while Curry County requires STR operators to register their properties and collect transient room taxes. Recent changes around 2022-2023 have included stricter enforcement of existing regulations and enhanced complaint procedures, though Gold Beach has generally maintained a more permissive approach compared to some other Oregon coastal communities, recognizing the importance of tourism to the local economy while balancing resident concerns about housing availability and neighborhood character.

The most promising Airbnb investment areas in Gold Beach, Oregon include the Oceanfront/Beach District along Highway 101 where properties offer direct beach access and stunning Pacific views attracting summer tourists and storm watchers year-round. The Historic Downtown area near the Rogue River mouth provides walkability to restaurants, shops, and the port while capitalizing on salmon fishing season visitors from May through October. The South Beach residential neighborhoods between 9th and 15th Streets offer quieter family-friendly accommodations still within walking distance of the beach, appealing to multi-generational vacation groups. The Rogue River corridor properties, particularly near Jerry's Flat Road, attract jet boat tour participants, fishing enthusiasts, and river recreation visitors during peak season from April through September. The area near Gold Beach Municipal Airport and Curry General Hospital can capture business travelers, medical tourists, and emergency responders, providing more consistent year-round occupancy compared to purely leisure-focused locations.

Airbnb properties in Gold Beach, Oregon are subject to multiple lodging taxes including Oregon's statewide transient lodging tax of 1.8% on gross rental receipts, Curry County's transient room tax of 7% on gross room revenue, and Gold Beach's local transient lodging tax of 8% on gross receipts. These taxes totaling approximately 16.8% are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking through their automated tax collection system implemented around 2018-2019, with Airbnb remitting payments monthly to the Oregon Department of Revenue, Curry County, and the City of Gold Beach respectively. Property owners must register with each jurisdiction and may need to file periodic returns even when Airbnb collects the taxes, with exemptions generally limited to stays exceeding 30 consecutive days which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient lodging. The Oregon Department of Revenue, Curry County Assessor's Office, and Gold Beach City Hall oversee compliance and collection of their respective portions of these occupancy taxes.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Gold Beach, Oregon is approximately $485,000-$565,000. Property purchase costs around $400,000-$450,000 based on median home prices in the coastal Oregon market. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom vacation rental requires $15,000-$25,000 for quality furniture, bedding, kitchen essentials, and decor suitable for guests. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic renovations total $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees including business license, transient lodging tax registration, and potential HOA approvals cost $500-$1,500. Insurance for short-term rental coverage runs $2,000-$3,000 annually. Utilities including electricity, water, sewer, garbage, internet, and cable average $300-$400 monthly or $1,800-$2,400 for six months. First six months operating costs including cleaning services ($150 per turnover), maintenance, supplies, platform fees (3% of bookings), marketing, and property management tools total approximately $8,000-$12,000 assuming 60-70% occupancy rates and average daily rates of $150-$200 typical for Gold Beach's vacation rental market.

Airbnb properties in Gold Beach, Oregon typically generate annual revenues between $25,000-$45,000 for well-positioned oceanfront or ocean-view properties, with average daily rates ranging from $120-$280 depending on proximity to the beach and property amenities. Operating expenses generally consume 40-55% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($75-$125 per turnover), property management (15-25% of revenue), utilities ($200-$350 monthly), insurance ($1,500-$2,500 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $3,000-$5,000 yearly. Properties within walking distance of Gold Beach's main attractions like the Rogue River mouth and beach access points achieve occupancy rates of 65-75% during peak summer months (June-September) but drop to 25-35% in winter, resulting in annual occupancy rates around 50-60%. Successful properties typically feature ocean views, hot tubs, pet-friendly policies, and modern amenities, with net profit margins ranging from 15-25% for owner-operated properties and 5-15% for professionally managed units. The most profitable properties are those purchased below $400,000 that can command premium rates due to unique features like direct beach access or riverfront locations, with some top-performing properties generating net profits of $15,000-$20,000 annually after all expenses.

Based on Gold Beach, Oregon market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-14% depending on property type and location proximity to the beach. Properties within walking distance of Gold Beach State Park and the Rogue River mouth command premium rates of $150-250 per night during peak summer months (June-September), while off-season rates drop to $80-120 per night. Initial investment recovery and profitability generally occurs within 18-24 months for well-positioned properties, with average annual gross rental income of $35,000-55,000 for 2-3 bedroom coastal homes purchased in the $400,000-600,000 range. The market benefits from consistent tourist demand driven by salmon fishing, storm watching, and outdoor recreation, with occupancy rates averaging 65-75% annually and peak summer occupancy reaching 85-90%.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors looking in Gold Beach, Oregon. Local real estate agents like Curry County Properties and Gold Beach Realty have experience with vacation rental investments in the area, while Pacific Properties and Coastal Oregon Real Estate also serve investors seeking Airbnb opportunities along the southern Oregon coast. National services include AirDNA for market analysis, Mashvisor for property investment analytics, and BiggerPockets for connecting with local investors and agents. RedAwning and Vacasa provide property management services for Airbnb investments, while companies like RentSpree and Awning offer comprehensive investment analysis tools. Local property management companies such as Oregon Coast Vacations and Beachfront Property Management can assist with ongoing operations, and mortgage brokers like Pacific Residential Mortgage and Guild Mortgage have experience financing investment properties in the Gold Beach market.