Is Huntington, West Virginia Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Huntington, West Virginia, begin by researching local regulations through the Huntington Planning Department and Cabell County offices, as the city requires short-term rental operators to obtain a business license and may require special use permits in certain zoning districts. Contact the Huntington Building Department at 304-696-5540 to determine if you need occupancy permits or safety inspections, and check with the West Virginia State Tax Department for lodging tax requirements (typically 6% state sales tax plus local occupancy taxes). Find a suitable property in neighborhoods like Ritter Park, Old Central City, or downtown areas that allow short-term rentals, ensuring it meets fire safety codes and has adequate parking. Furnish the space with quality basics including comfortable beds, linens, kitchen essentials, WiFi, and local guidebooks featuring Huntington attractions like the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center and Ritter Park. Create listings on Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com with professional photos highlighting proximity to Marshall University (major demand driver), downtown restaurants, and the Ohio River, pricing competitively around $75-120 per night based on local market rates. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, responding promptly to inquiries, coordinating key exchanges or installing smart locks, maintaining supplies, and building relationships with local cleaning services and maintenance contractors to ensure smooth operations year-round.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Huntington, West Virginia, focus on locations within 2-3 miles of Marshall University campus, downtown Heritage Station area, and properties near the Ohio River waterfront or Ritter Park, as these areas attract students, business travelers, and tourists visiting local attractions. Target 2-4 bedroom properties built after 1980 with dedicated parking, updated kitchens and bathrooms, reliable WiFi capability, and outdoor spaces, while avoiding properties requiring major renovations or in flood-prone areas near the river. Conduct pricing analysis by researching comparable Airbnb listings in the $75-150 nightly range, calculating potential gross rental yields of 8-12% annually, and factoring in West Virginia's relatively low property taxes and operating costs. Research competition using AirDNA, STR Helper, or manual searches on Airbnb and VRBO to identify gaps in the market, particularly during Marshall University events, Huntington Music & Arts Festival, and regional business travel periods. Utilize tools like Mashvisor, BiggerPockets calculators, and local MLS data through Zillow or Realtor.com, while connecting with Huntington-area real estate agents familiar with rental regulations, consulting the City of Huntington's zoning requirements for short-term rentals, and monitoring occupancy rates through platforms like AirDNA to ensure properties can achieve 60-70% occupancy rates needed for profitability in this secondary market.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Huntington, West Virginia, you must first contact the Huntington Planning and Development Department at City Hall located at 800 5th Avenue to determine if short-term rentals are permitted in your specific zoning district, as the city requires a conditional use permit for STRs in most residential areas. Submit an application for a conditional use permit along with a site plan, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, liability insurance documentation (minimum $1 million coverage), floor plans showing maximum occupancy, parking plan demonstrating adequate off-street parking, and a $500 application fee. Additionally, you'll need to obtain a business license from the City Clerk's office for approximately $50 annually and register with the West Virginia State Tax Department for transient lodging tax collection. The conditional use permit process typically takes 60-90 days and requires a public hearing before the Planning Commission, where neighbors can provide input. Huntington specifically requires STRs to maintain quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM, provide 24/7 contact information to neighbors, limit occupancy to 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, ensure adequate trash collection, and maintain the property in accordance with residential neighborhood standards. Once approved, you must display your permit number in all online listings and renew annually.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Huntington, West Virginia, as the city has not enacted specific prohibitions against platforms like Airbnb and VRBO, though operators must comply with standard business licensing requirements and zoning regulations. The city requires STR operators to obtain a business license and collect applicable occupancy taxes, with properties needing to meet basic safety and health standards. Most residential zones allow STRs, but operators should verify compliance with local zoning ordinances as some areas may have restrictions on commercial activities in purely residential neighborhoods. West Virginia state law generally supports property rights for short-term rentals, and Huntington has not implemented the strict regulations seen in some larger cities, though the regulatory landscape has been evolving since around 2018-2020 as STR platforms gained popularity. Property owners should ensure compliance with fire safety codes, occupancy limits, and noise ordinances, and while there are no specific prohibited areas city-wide, individual neighborhood associations or HOAs may have their own restrictions.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Huntington, West Virginia are the Historic Downtown District, particularly near the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center and Pullman Square, which attracts visitors for entertainment, dining, and cultural events year-round. The Ritter Park neighborhood is highly desirable due to its proximity to Marshall University, generating consistent demand from visiting families, prospective students, and university-related business travelers, while also being near the beautiful Ritter Park rose garden and amphitheater that hosts summer concerts. The East End/Spring Valley area offers upscale accommodations for business travelers visiting Huntington's medical facilities including Cabell Huntington Hospital and St. Mary's Medical Center, as well as corporate visitors to local businesses. The Southside neighborhood near the Ohio River provides scenic waterfront appeal and easy access to Harris Riverfront Park, which hosts festivals and events throughout the year, while also being convenient for guests visiting the Huntington Museum of Art and attending Marshall University sporting events at Joan C. Edwards Stadium.

In Huntington, West Virginia, Airbnb properties are subject to the state's Consumer Sales and Service Tax at 6% plus local sales tax, which varies by municipality but typically adds another 1-3% for a combined rate of approximately 7-9% on lodging. The state also imposes a Hotel Occupancy Tax of 6% on stays of 30 days or less. These taxes are collected from guests at the time of booking through Airbnb's automated tax collection system for most jurisdictions, though hosts may need to register directly with the West Virginia State Tax Department and remit taxes monthly if their location isn't covered by Airbnb's collection service. Cabell County, where Huntington is located, may impose additional local occupancy taxes of 1-2%. Exemptions typically include stays of 30 days or longer, government employees on official business, and certain nonprofit organizations with proper documentation. Hosts must obtain a business registration certificate and may need a Certificate of Exemption for resale if applicable, with remittance due by the 20th of the month following collection, and penalties apply for late payments starting at 5% of the tax owed.

To start an Airbnb in Huntington, West Virginia, expect total costs around $180,000-$220,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at approximately $140,000-$160,000 based on median home prices in the area as of 2023-2024. Furnishing costs typically range $15,000-$25,000 for a complete 2-3 bedroom property including furniture, appliances, linens, and décor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations average $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees in West Virginia generally cost $500-$1,500 depending on local regulations and business license requirements. Insurance premiums for short-term rental coverage run approximately $2,000-$3,000 annually, with the first year paid upfront. Utility deposits and initial connections for electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable total around $1,000-$2,000. First six months of operating costs including utilities ($200-$300 monthly), cleaning services ($75-$100 per turnover), maintenance reserves ($200-$400 monthly), and platform fees (3% of bookings) add approximately $8,000-$12,000 to startup expenses, assuming moderate occupancy rates during the initial period.

Airbnb properties in Huntington, West Virginia typically generate modest returns with average daily rates ranging from $65-95 depending on property size and location, with occupancy rates averaging 45-60% annually due to the city's smaller tourism market and business travel demand from Marshall University and local healthcare facilities. A typical 2-bedroom property near downtown or the university can gross $18,000-28,000 annually, but after expenses including mortgage payments, utilities averaging $150-200 monthly, cleaning fees of $40-60 per turnover, property management costs of 15-25%, insurance premiums 20-30% higher than standard homeowner policies, and maintenance reserves, net profit margins generally range from 8-18% of gross revenue. Success factors include proximity to Marshall University for football weekends and graduation periods, targeting medical professionals visiting Cabell Huntington Hospital, and maintaining competitive pricing against local hotels like Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express which average $89-120 nightly. Properties within walking distance of Pullman Square entertainment district or offering river views along the Ohio River tend to command premium rates, while those in residential neighborhoods 3+ miles from downtown struggle with lower occupancy rates below 40%, making profitability challenging without significant mortgage principal paydown or property appreciation to justify the investment.

Airbnb investments in Huntington, West Virginia typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, primarily driven by Marshall University student housing demand and business travelers to the regional medical center. Properties near the university campus or downtown riverfront area command higher occupancy rates of 65-75% annually, with average daily rates of $75-95 for entire homes and $45-65 for private rooms. Initial profitability usually occurs within 18-24 months for well-positioned properties, though the market faces seasonal fluctuations with lower demand during summer months when students are away. Properties requiring minimal renovation in established neighborhoods like Ritter Park or South Hills tend to achieve faster break-even points around 14-18 months, while cash-on-cash returns can reach 12-15% for investors who purchase below-market properties and implement strategic improvements targeting the university and healthcare worker demographics.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties in Huntington, West Virginia, using data analytics to evaluate potential returns. Local real estate agents specializing in investment properties include Coldwell Banker Premier Properties, RE/MAX Clarity, and Century 21 Homes & Land, with agents like those at Marshall County Real Estate Group who understand the Huntington market dynamics. National services include AirDNA for market analysis, Mashvisor for property investment analytics, and BiggerPockets for investor networking and deal sourcing. Local property management companies such as Tri-State Property Management and River Cities Property Management offer turnkey Airbnb management services. Additional national platforms like Roofstock, HomeUnion, and Awning provide end-to-end investment property acquisition and management services, while local mortgage brokers and investment consultants at firms like First Sentry Bank and City National Bank can provide financing solutions specifically tailored for short-term rental investments in the Huntington area.