Is Hackberry, Louisiana Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Hackberry, Louisiana, begin by researching Cameron Parish regulations and Louisiana state laws regarding short-term rentals, as Hackberry falls under Cameron Parish jurisdiction which may require business licenses and occupancy permits. Contact the Cameron Parish Police Jury office to determine specific zoning requirements and obtain necessary permits, which typically include a business license ($25-50 annually) and may require a conditional use permit for residential properties. Find a suitable property by searching local real estate listings or purchasing waterfront properties near Calcasieu Lake, with prices ranging from $150,000-400,000 for typical homes in the area. Furnish the property with durable, coastal-appropriate furniture including hurricane-resistant outdoor furniture, fishing equipment storage, and boat launch access amenities since Hackberry is known for fishing and hunting tourism. Create your Airbnb listing emphasizing proximity to Calcasieu Lake, fishing opportunities, and hunting access, with competitive pricing around $100-200 per night depending on property size and amenities. Manage the property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services in nearby Sulphur or Lake Charles (30-45 minutes away), coordinate with Cameron Parish utilities for quick turnarounds, and consider hiring a local property management company since Hackberry's remote location may require on-site assistance for guest issues and maintenance.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Hackberry, Louisiana, focus on waterfront locations near Calcasieu Lake and properties with easy access to fishing, hunting, and outdoor recreation areas, as this small community primarily attracts visitors for these activities. Target properties with 2-4 bedrooms, boat launches or dock access, fish cleaning stations, and outdoor spaces for equipment storage, while ensuring reliable internet and modern amenities since many guests are outdoorsmen who still expect comfort. Analyze pricing by researching comparable rentals within 20-30 miles including Lake Charles and Cameron Parish, aiming for rates between $100-200 per night depending on waterfront access and amenities, with higher premiums during peak fishing seasons (spring and fall) and hunting seasons. Competition research should focus on existing Airbnb and VRBO listings in Cameron Parish and southwestern Louisiana, noting that limited inventory in Hackberry itself may present opportunities but also indicates smaller demand. Utilize tools like AirDNA for market analysis, STR Helper for revenue projections, Mashvisor for investment analysis, and local resources including Cameron Parish tourism data, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries seasonal reports, and networking with local fishing guides and outfitters to understand peak demand periods and guest preferences in this niche outdoor recreation market.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Hackberry, Louisiana, you must first contact the Cameron Parish Police Jury office at 337-775-5718 or visit their office at 10080 Gulf Highway in Lake Charles, as Hackberry falls under Cameron Parish jurisdiction. Required documents typically include a completed short-term rental application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of occupancy, fire safety inspection certificate, liability insurance policy (minimum $1 million coverage), floor plan showing maximum occupancy, and a $150-300 application fee payable to Cameron Parish. You'll need to schedule inspections with the parish building department and fire marshal, which can take 2-4 weeks to complete. The entire permit process generally takes 4-8 weeks from application submission to approval. Specific Hackberry requirements include compliance with coastal zone management regulations due to its proximity to the Gulf Coast, adherence to flood zone building standards, maximum occupancy limits based on septic system capacity (typically 2 people per bedroom plus 2), mandatory smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in all sleeping areas, and registration with the Louisiana Department of Revenue for state tax collection. The permit must be renewed annually with a $75-150 renewal fee, and you must maintain a local contact person available 24/7 for emergencies and display the permit number in all rental listings.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Hackberry, Louisiana are generally legal but subject to Cameron Parish regulations and Louisiana state laws. As an unincorporated community in Cameron Parish, Hackberry follows parish-wide zoning ordinances that typically allow STRs in residential areas with proper permitting and registration requirements. Property owners must obtain business licenses, collect and remit state and local occupancy taxes (approximately 4-13% combined), and comply with safety standards including smoke detectors and emergency egress requirements. Cameron Parish has implemented basic regulations around parking, occupancy limits, and noise ordinances, though enforcement can be limited due to the rural nature of the area. The Louisiana Legislature passed Act 329 in 2022 which strengthened local government authority to regulate STRs while preventing outright bans, giving Cameron Parish more tools to manage short-term rental operations. Properties must be registered with the Louisiana Department of Revenue for tax collection purposes, and hosts are required to maintain liability insurance. Recent changes have focused on improving tax compliance and giving parishes like Cameron more regulatory flexibility, though Hackberry's remote coastal location and smaller population mean STR activity is less intensive compared to urban Louisiana markets.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Hackberry, Louisiana are primarily concentrated around the waterfront districts near Calcasieu Lake and the Gulf of Mexico access points, particularly the areas closest to the Hackberry Rod and Gun Club and the fishing camps along Highway 27, as these locations attract year-round fishing enthusiasts, duck hunters during hunting season (November-January), and summer recreational boaters. The neighborhoods near the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge boundary are highly attractive due to proximity to birdwatching and eco-tourism activities, especially during spring and fall migration periods when visitors come for photography and wildlife observation. Properties within walking distance of the local boat launches and fishing piers command premium rates from fishing guides and tournament participants, particularly during the spring and summer fishing seasons when speckled trout, redfish, and flounder are most active. The residential areas along the Intracoastal Waterway offer strong investment potential due to their appeal to both recreational boaters traveling the waterway system and oil and gas industry workers who need temporary housing for projects in the Cameron Parish region, with these industrial guests often booking extended stays and paying higher nightly rates than typical tourists.

Airbnb properties in Hackberry, Louisiana are subject to Louisiana state sales tax of 4.45% and local parish sales tax which varies by parish but typically ranges from 3-5% for Cameron Parish where Hackberry is located. The state requires short-term rental operators to register for a sales tax account and collect these taxes from guests, with monthly remittance due by the 20th of the following month for properties generating over $1,000 in monthly revenue. Cameron Parish may impose additional occupancy taxes of approximately 2-4% depending on local ordinances, though specific rates for Hackberry are not clearly established as of 2023. Collection is typically handled through Airbnb's automated tax collection system for participating jurisdictions, though hosts remain ultimately responsible for compliance and may need to remit taxes directly to local authorities if automatic collection is not available. Exemptions generally apply to stays exceeding 30 consecutive days, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient occupancy, and properties used primarily as permanent residences with minimal short-term rental activity may qualify for reduced rates or exemptions under certain circumstances.

To start an Airbnb in Hackberry, Louisiana, expect total costs around $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase will be approximately $120,000-$150,000 based on median home prices in rural Louisiana parishes like Cameron County. Furnishing costs typically range $15,000-$25,000 for a complete 2-3 bedroom setup including furniture, appliances, linens, and décor. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations average $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees in Louisiana generally cost $500-$1,500 including business license, occupancy permits, and local registration requirements. Insurance premiums for short-term rental coverage run $2,000-$3,500 annually. Utility deposits and connections cost approximately $500-$800 for electricity, water, internet, and cable. First six months operating costs including utilities ($200/month), cleaning supplies ($100/month), maintenance reserves ($150/month), property management software ($50/month), and marketing ($100/month) total around $3,600. Additional considerations include potential HOA fees, property taxes, and emergency repair funds which could add $2,000-$5,000 to initial capital requirements.

Airbnb properties in Hackberry, Louisiana show moderate profitability potential with average daily rates ranging from $75-120 depending on property type and proximity to water access, generating annual revenues of $15,000-35,000 for well-managed properties with 40-60% occupancy rates. Operating expenses typically consume 35-45% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($40-60 per turnover), property management (10-15%), utilities ($150-250 monthly), insurance ($1,200-2,000 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $2,000-4,000 yearly. Properties near Calcasieu Lake or offering fishing access command premium rates and achieve higher occupancy during peak seasons (March-October), with successful hosts like those operating waterfront cabins reporting net profit margins of 25-35% after all expenses. Key success factors include strategic pricing during hunting and fishing seasons, partnerships with local guide services, and targeting the oil and gas worker market which provides consistent mid-week bookings at rates of $80-100 per night. Properties within 30 minutes of Lake Charles or Cameron Parish beaches perform better, with some hosts achieving gross revenues exceeding $40,000 annually, though net profits typically range from $8,000-18,000 after accounting for the area's seasonal tourism patterns and competition from traditional fishing camps and hunting lodges.

Based on Hackberry, Louisiana market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-14%. Properties in this rural Cameron Parish location benefit from proximity to industrial facilities like Cheniere Energy's LNG terminal and Sempra Energy operations, driving consistent demand from business travelers and contractors. Initial profitability usually occurs within 8-12 months, with average daily rates of $85-120 and occupancy rates of 65-75% annually. The limited local accommodation options and growing industrial presence support strong rental performance, though investors should expect seasonal fluctuations tied to hurricane season and industrial project cycles. Total investment recovery typically occurs within 6-8 years, with properties appreciating 3-5% annually due to continued energy sector development in the region.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market research, providing comprehensive data on short-term rental performance in Hackberry, Louisiana. Local real estate agents like those at Coldwell Banker Ingle Safari Realty and Century 21 Bono Realty in nearby Lake Charles (serving the Hackberry area since the 1980s) specialize in waterfront and recreational properties ideal for vacation rentals. National services include Mashvisor (founded 2014), which offers Airbnb profitability calculators and market analysis, AirDNA (established 2015) for short-term rental data analytics, and Awning (launched 2017) providing full-service Airbnb property management. Regional companies like Louisiana Vacation Rentals and Gulf Coast Property Management have been managing short-term rentals in the area since the early 2000s, while newer platforms like Vacasa (2009) and RedAwning (2011) offer comprehensive property management services. Local investment groups such as Southwest Louisiana Real Estate Investors Association provide networking opportunities, and companies like BiggerPockets (2004) offer educational resources and deal analysis tools specifically for vacation rental investments in emerging markets like Hackberry's fishing and hunting tourism sector.