Is Granville, Vermont Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Granville, Vermont, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Granville Town Clerk's office, as Vermont requires short-term rental operators to register with the state and collect 9% rooms and meals tax plus 1% local option tax. Contact the Vermont Department of Taxes to obtain a Business Account Number and Rooms and Meals Tax license, then check with Granville's planning commission about any specific ordinances regarding short-term rentals, as some Vermont towns require conditional use permits or have occupancy limits. Find a suitable property by working with local real estate agents familiar with the Mad River Valley area, considering proximity to Sugarbush Resort and other attractions that draw visitors year-round. Ensure the property meets Vermont's life safety requirements including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and proper egress windows. Furnish the space with quality linens, kitchen essentials, and seasonal items like ski equipment storage, focusing on the outdoor recreation theme popular in the area. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting mountain views and proximity to skiing, hiking, and local attractions like the Cold Hollow Cider Mill. For management, establish relationships with local cleaning services, maintenance contractors, and consider property management companies like Vacasa or RedAwning that operate in Vermont, while maintaining compliance with ongoing tax reporting requirements and guest registration as mandated by state law.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Granville, Vermont, focus on locations within 10-15 minutes of Sugarbush Resort and Mad River Glen ski areas, as these drive peak winter demand from 2019-2024 data showing 70-80% occupancy rates during ski season. Target 3-4 bedroom properties with mountain views, hot tubs, fireplaces, and modern amenities, as these command $200-400 nightly rates compared to $100-150 for basic properties. Analyze pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor, which show Granville properties averaging $180/night with 60% annual occupancy, generating $35,000-65,000 gross revenue annually. Research competition by monitoring the 40-50 active STRs in the Mad River Valley area through Airbnb and VRBO searches, noting that properties with professional photography and 4.8+ ratings achieve 20-30% higher booking rates. Utilize Vermont-specific resources including the Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce for tourism data, Green Mountain Realty for local market insights, and ensure compliance with Granville's zoning regulations which generally permit STRs in residential areas with proper registration, while monitoring seasonal demand patterns that peak December-March (ski season) and July-September (summer activities).

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Granville, Vermont, contact the Granville Town Clerk's office at the Town Hall located on Route 100 to begin the application process, as Vermont requires municipal registration for short-term rentals under Act 79 (2019). Submit a completed short-term rental registration form along with proof of property ownership or lease agreement, liability insurance documentation showing minimum $500,000 coverage, a site plan or floor plan of the rental unit, septic system compliance certificate if applicable, and fire safety inspection report. The registration fee is typically $200-300 annually, though Granville may have specific local fees that differ. Required documents also include a waste management plan, parking plan showing adequate off-street parking, and contact information for a local representative available 24/7 if you're not residing on-site. The timeline for approval is generally 30-60 days after submitting a complete application. Granville-specific requirements include compliance with the town's zoning bylaws, maintaining the property's residential character, providing adequate septic capacity for the maximum occupancy, ensuring snow removal access for emergency vehicles, and adhering to any seasonal restrictions that may apply in this rural mountain community. You must also register with the Vermont Department of Taxes for rooms and meals tax collection and remit 9% state tax plus 1% local option tax if applicable.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Granville, Vermont, but operate under Vermont's statewide regulations that took effect in 2019 requiring STR operators to register with the state, collect and remit rooms and meals taxes, and comply with health and safety standards. Granville, as a small unincorporated community in Windsor County, does not appear to have specific municipal STR ordinances beyond state requirements, meaning properties can typically operate as vacation rentals provided they meet Vermont's registration requirements, maintain proper insurance, and follow occupancy limits based on septic and water system capacity. The state requires a $50 annual registration fee and mandates that operators collect 9% rooms tax and 1% local option tax where applicable, while also requiring basic safety features like smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Recent changes include enhanced enforcement mechanisms implemented in 2021-2022 and increased penalties for non-compliance, though Granville's rural nature and limited municipal governance structure means enforcement primarily occurs at the state level rather than through local zoning restrictions.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Granville, Vermont include the Main Street/Village Center district which attracts visitors year-round due to its proximity to local shops, restaurants, and the Granville Gulf State Reservation, offering easy access to hiking trails and natural attractions. The Route 100 corridor area is highly desirable as it serves as a gateway for tourists traveling to nearby ski resorts like Sugarbush and Mad River Glen (within 15-20 minutes), making it ideal for winter sports enthusiasts and summer outdoor recreation visitors. Properties near the White River provide excellent opportunities for fishing and water recreation tourism, particularly during peak summer months from June through September. The Moss Glen Falls vicinity is attractive for nature tourism and photography enthusiasts, while areas close to the Green Mountain National Forest boundary offer access to extensive hiking, hunting, and foliage viewing opportunities that drive significant fall tourism revenue from September through October when Vermont's leaf-peeping season peaks.

In Granville, Vermont, Airbnb hosts are subject to Vermont's statewide rooms and meals tax of 9% on gross rental receipts, which applies to all short-term rentals under 30 days. Additionally, hosts must collect Vermont's 6% sales tax on lodging accommodations. The state requires hosts to register for a Vermont Business Account and obtain a rooms and meals tax license through the Vermont Department of Taxes, with returns filed monthly if gross receipts exceed $1,000 per month or quarterly for smaller operations. Tax collection occurs at the time of booking, and remittance is due by the 25th of the month following the reporting period. Granville may also impose a local option tax of up to 1% on rooms and meals, though this varies by municipality and requires separate registration with local authorities. Exemptions include rentals to permanent residents (30+ days), certain agricultural workers, and guests staying for medical treatment, while properties renting fewer than 15 days per year may qualify for reduced reporting requirements. Airbnb may collect and remit these taxes automatically in some cases through their platform, but hosts remain ultimately responsible for compliance and should verify collection with the Vermont Department of Taxes.

To start an Airbnb in Granville, Vermont, expect total costs around $385,000-$425,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at $300,000-$350,000 based on median home prices in rural Vermont markets. Furnishing costs typically range $15,000-$25,000 for a complete 2-3 bedroom property including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and décor. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations average $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees vary but budget $500-$1,500 for business licenses, short-term rental permits, and potential zoning approvals through Granville town offices. Insurance costs approximately $2,000-$3,000 annually for short-term rental coverage beyond standard homeowner's policies. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, heating oil/propane, water, internet, and cable total around $1,000-$2,000. First six months operating costs including utilities ($3,600-$4,800), cleaning services ($1,800-$2,400), maintenance reserves ($1,500), marketing ($500), and Airbnb platform fees on estimated $18,000 revenue ($2,500) total approximately $10,000-$12,000. Property taxes and ongoing maintenance should also be factored into long-term planning, with Vermont property tax rates averaging 1.8% annually.

Airbnb properties in Granville, Vermont show moderate profitability potential with average nightly rates ranging from $150-250 during peak ski season (December-March) and $80-120 in summer months, generating annual revenues of $25,000-45,000 for well-managed properties. Operating expenses typically include 25-30% Airbnb service fees, $3,000-5,000 annual property taxes, $2,000-4,000 utilities, $1,500-3,000 cleaning and maintenance, and $1,000-2,000 insurance, totaling approximately $15,000-25,000 annually. Properties within 10 miles of Sugarbush Resort command premium rates, with some luxury cabins achieving 70-80% occupancy rates and net profit margins of 35-45%. Success factors include proximity to ski areas, unique amenities like hot tubs or mountain views, professional photography, and responsive guest communication. A typical 3-bedroom mountain home purchased for $400,000 in 2019 generated $38,000 revenue in 2022 with $22,000 expenses, yielding a 4% return on investment plus property appreciation. Properties farther from ski resorts or lacking distinctive features often struggle with 40-50% occupancy rates and profit margins below 20%, making location and property differentiation critical for profitability in this seasonal market.

Airbnb investments in Granville, Vermont typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, primarily driven by the town's proximity to Killington and Sugarbush ski resorts which attract year-round tourism. Properties in Granville generally achieve profitability within 18-24 months, with peak earning potential during winter ski season (December-March) and summer hiking months (June-September). The average nightly rate for Airbnb properties in the area ranges from $150-250 depending on property size and amenities, with occupancy rates typically reaching 60-75% annually. Initial investment costs average $300,000-500,000 for suitable properties, with renovation and furnishing expenses adding another $25,000-50,000. The market benefits from Vermont's strong tourism economy and limited hotel inventory in the Mad River Valley region, though investors should expect seasonal fluctuations with lower occupancy during mud season (April-May) and late fall periods.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market research, providing comprehensive data on short-term rental performance across Vermont markets including Granville. Local Vermont real estate agents specializing in investment properties include Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman (established 1978), Pall Spera Company Realtors, and Four Seasons Sotheby's International Realty, with agents like Sarah Mitchell and Tom Bradley focusing on vacation rental investments in the Mad River Valley region. National services include Awning (founded 2017) for turnkey Airbnb investments, RedAwning for property management and acquisition consulting, and Vacasa (2009) offering end-to-end investment services. AirDNA provides market analytics specifically for short-term rental investments, while Mashvisor offers investment property analysis tools for the Vermont market. Local property management companies that assist with Airbnb investments include Green Mountain Property Management and Vermont Vacation Rentals, both helping investors identify profitable properties in ski resort areas near Sugarbush and Mad River Glen. Additional national platforms include Roofstock (2015) for rental property investments and BiggerPockets for networking with local Vermont investors, with estimated 15-20 active investment-focused agents operating in the greater Granville and Warren area as of 2023.