Is Holly Beach, Louisiana Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Holly Beach, Louisiana, begin by researching Cameron Parish regulations and Louisiana state requirements, as Holly Beach falls under Cameron Parish jurisdiction which typically requires business licenses and may have specific short-term rental ordinances following Hurricane Laura rebuilding efforts around 2020-2021. Contact Cameron Parish Police Jury and Louisiana Department of Revenue to obtain necessary permits including a business license, sales tax permit, and any required short-term rental permits, which may cost $50-200 annually. Find property by working with local realtors like Coldwell Banker or Century 21 who specialize in coastal properties, focusing on elevated homes due to flood requirements, with typical beachfront properties ranging $200,000-500,000. Furnish the property with hurricane-resistant, coastal-themed furniture from retailers like Ashley Furniture or local suppliers, ensuring all items can withstand humidity and potential storm damage, budgeting $15,000-30,000 for complete furnishing. List your property on Airbnb, VRBO, and local platforms like Louisiana Travel, highlighting beach access, fishing opportunities, and proximity to Calcasieu Lake, with competitive rates of $150-300 per night depending on size and amenities. Manage the property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services, maintenance contractors familiar with coastal properties, and consider property management companies like Vacasa or local firms, while maintaining comprehensive insurance including flood coverage through FEMA and commercial liability insurance, and staying updated on Cameron Parish's evolving short-term rental regulations as the area continues recovery and development efforts.

For identifying profitable short-term rental properties in Holly Beach, Louisiana, focus on beachfront or near-beach locations within walking distance of the Gulf of Mexico, as proximity to water drives highest occupancy rates in this coastal fishing village. Target properties with 2-4 bedrooms, outdoor spaces like decks or patios, boat parking or launch access, and fishing amenities since Holly Beach attracts primarily fishing enthusiasts and beach vacationers. Pricing analysis should benchmark against similar Gulf Coast destinations like Grand Isle and Cameron, with peak rates during summer months (June-August) and fishing seasons typically ranging $150-300 per night depending on size and amenities. Competition research reveals limited STR inventory due to Holly Beach's small size, creating opportunities for well-positioned properties, though Hurricane Laura (2020) and other recent storms have impacted the local housing stock. Essential tools include AirDNA for market data, VRBO and Airbnb for competitor analysis, Cameron Parish property records for acquisition research, and local fishing guides/bait shops for understanding seasonal demand patterns, while considering flood insurance requirements and hurricane risk factors that significantly impact long-term profitability in this vulnerable coastal market.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Holly Beach, Louisiana, you must first contact the Cameron Parish Police Jury office at 337-775-5718 or visit their office at 10433 Marshall Street in Cameron, as Holly Beach 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, general liability insurance policy (minimum $1 million coverage), floor plan showing maximum occupancy, contact information for a local property manager if you're not local, and a $200-300 application fee payable to Cameron Parish. You'll need to schedule inspections with the parish building department and fire marshal, which usually costs an additional $100-150 in inspection fees. The timeline is generally 4-6 weeks from application submission to permit approval, assuming all inspections pass and documentation is complete. Specific Holly Beach requirements include adherence to coastal building codes due to hurricane zone designation, mandatory flood insurance documentation, parking requirements of at least two spaces per unit, maximum occupancy limits based on septic system capacity (typically 2 people per bedroom plus 2), and compliance with any HOA restrictions if applicable. Annual permit renewal is required with a $100-150 renewal fee, and you must maintain current insurance and inspection certificates throughout the permit period.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Holly Beach, Louisiana, as the area falls under Cameron Parish jurisdiction, which has not implemented comprehensive STR bans like some other Louisiana parishes. However, properties must comply with Louisiana state tax requirements including collecting and remitting state sales tax and local occupancy taxes where applicable. Cameron Parish and the incorporated areas within it may require business licenses or permits for STR operations, and properties must meet basic safety and zoning requirements. The area has seen increased STR activity following Hurricane Laura in 2020 and subsequent storms, as many properties were rebuilt or renovated for rental purposes. While there are no specific prohibited zones for STRs in Holly Beach itself, operators should verify compliance with any flood zone regulations given the coastal location, and ensure proper insurance coverage. Recent legal changes in Louisiana have focused more on tax collection enforcement rather than outright restrictions, with the state requiring platforms like Airbnb and VRBO to collect taxes directly since around 2019-2020.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Holly Beach, Louisiana are primarily concentrated along the beachfront properties on Rutherford Beach Road and the adjacent coastal streets within a 2-mile radius of the main beach access points. The oceanfront and near-oceanfront properties between Mile Marker 1 and Mile Marker 5 offer the highest rental potential due to direct beach access, fishing opportunities, and proximity to the Holly Beach pier, attracting tourists year-round for saltwater fishing, crabbing, and beach recreation. The area near the Holly Beach Marina and boat launch on the western end draws fishing enthusiasts and boaters, particularly during peak fishing seasons from March through November. Properties within walking distance of local seafood restaurants and bait shops along Highway 82 provide convenience for guests and maintain steady occupancy rates. The residential areas just inland from the immediate beachfront, particularly those with canal access or fishing ponds, offer more affordable investment opportunities while still attracting visitors interested in fishing and water activities, with properties typically generating strong rental income during summer months, fishing tournaments, and holiday weekends when families from Texas, Arkansas, and other Louisiana parishes visit this coastal destination.

Airbnb properties in Holly Beach, Louisiana are subject to Louisiana state sales tax of 4.45% and local Cameron Parish sales tax, which typically ranges from 3-5% for short-term rentals, resulting in a combined rate of approximately 7.45-9.45% on gross rental receipts. The Louisiana Department of Revenue requires hosts to register for a sales tax permit and collect taxes from guests at the time of booking or check-in, 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 2-4% specifically on transient lodging, collected similarly to state taxes and remitted to the parish tax collector. Airbnb can collect and remit these taxes on behalf of hosts through their platform in many Louisiana jurisdictions as of 2019, though hosts remain ultimately responsible for compliance. Properties rented for 30 days or longer are typically exempt from occupancy taxes but may still be subject to regular sales tax, and certain exemptions may apply for government employees or long-term medical stays, though documentation is required for such exemptions.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Holly Beach, Louisiana would be approximately $185,000-$225,000. Property purchase costs around $150,000-$180,000 for a median beachfront or near-beach property suitable for vacation rentals. Furnishing costs including beds, linens, kitchen appliances, furniture, and beach-themed decor would run $15,000-$25,000 for a 2-3 bedroom property. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic supplies total $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and tax registrations cost approximately $500-$1,000. Insurance including property, liability, and short-term rental coverage runs $2,500-$4,000 annually. Utilities setup and deposits for electricity, water, internet, and cable cost around $1,000-$1,500. First six months operating costs including utilities ($600-$900), cleaning supplies and services ($1,200-$1,800), maintenance reserves ($1,500-$2,500), marketing ($500-$1,000), and property management software ($300-$600) total approximately $4,100-$6,800, bringing the complete startup investment to roughly $175,100-$221,300 depending on property size and finish level.

Airbnb properties in Holly Beach, Louisiana typically generate annual revenues of $15,000-$35,000 for beachfront units and $8,000-$18,000 for inland properties, with peak summer months (June-August) accounting for 60-70% of bookings at rates ranging from $80-$200 per night depending on proximity to the beach and property size. Operating expenses generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including property management fees (15-25%), cleaning costs ($40-80 per turnover), utilities ($150-300 monthly), insurance ($2,000-$4,000 annually for coastal properties), maintenance and repairs ($2,000-$5,000 annually due to salt air and hurricane exposure), and local taxes. Net profit margins typically range from 15-35% for well-managed properties, with successful hosts like those operating 2-3 bedroom beach houses near Sabine Pass reporting annual profits of $8,000-$15,000 per unit. Success factors include strategic pricing during fishing tournaments and summer festivals, professional photography showcasing beach access, responsive guest communication, and partnerships with local fishing guides, while properties within 200 yards of beach access consistently outperform inland alternatives by 40-60% in both occupancy rates and nightly rates, though hurricane risk and seasonal demand fluctuations present ongoing challenges for sustained profitability.

Airbnb investments in Holly Beach, Louisiana typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-14%, driven by the area's proximity to Gulf Coast beaches and fishing opportunities that attract seasonal tourists primarily from Texas and Louisiana metropolitan areas. Properties within 0.5 miles of the beach command premium rates of $150-250 per night during peak summer months (May-September) and $80-120 during off-season, with average occupancy rates of 65-75% annually. Initial investment recovery typically occurs within 6-8 years for properties purchased at $200,000-350,000, assuming 20-25% down payments and factoring in renovation costs of $15,000-30,000 to meet vacation rental standards. The market benefits from limited hotel inventory and consistent demand from fishing tournaments, family beach vacations, and weekend getaways, though investors should account for hurricane insurance costs averaging $3,000-5,000 annually and potential storm-related income disruptions that can impact returns by 2-4 percentage points in severe weather years.

STRSearch is a national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties including in Holly Beach, Louisiana. Local real estate agents in the area include Century 21 Bono Realty in Lake Charles (serving the Holly Beach market since 1995), Coldwell Banker Ingle Safari Realty which has operated in Cameron Parish since 1987, and RE/MAX Acadiana with agents specializing in coastal Louisiana investment properties since 2001. National services include Awning (founded 2017) which provides full-service Airbnb property management and acquisition consulting, Mashvisor offering market analysis tools for short-term rental investments since 2014, and AirDNA providing vacation rental data analytics since 2015. Local property management companies like Gulf Coast Property Management (established 2008) and Cameron Parish Rentals (operating since 2012) offer services to help investors manage their Airbnb properties in the Holly Beach area. Additional national platforms include BiggerPockets for investor networking and education, Roofstock for turnkey rental property purchases, and Vacasa for professional vacation rental management services, all of which can assist investors looking to capitalize on Holly Beach's proximity to fishing, hunting, and beach recreation activities that drive vacation rental demand.