Is Huntington, West Virginia Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Huntington, West Virginia, begin by researching local regulations through the City of Huntington Planning Department and Cabell County offices, as West Virginia generally allows short-term rentals but municipalities may have specific zoning requirements and occupancy limits. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from the City of Huntington (approximately $25-50 annually), ensure your property meets fire safety codes, and register for West Virginia state tax collection since you'll need to collect and remit the 6% state sales tax plus any local hotel occupancy taxes. Find a suitable property in desirable neighborhoods like the Heritage Station area, downtown historic district, or near Marshall University, considering factors like parking availability, noise ordinances, and proximity to attractions like Pullman Square and the Ohio River waterfront. Furnish the space with quality basics including comfortable bedding, kitchen essentials, WiFi, and local guidebooks, ensuring compliance with any city-mandated safety equipment like smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. List your property on Airbnb and other platforms like VRBO, setting competitive rates based on local market research (typically $60-120 per night in Huntington depending on size and location), and create an attractive listing with professional photos highlighting proximity to Marshall University, Huntington Museum of Art, and outdoor activities along the Ohio River. Manage your property by establishing check-in procedures, maintaining cleanliness standards, responding promptly to guest communications, and keeping detailed records for tax purposes while staying current with any evolving local regulations that Huntington may implement regarding short-term rentals.

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 near the Ohio River waterfront, as these attract students, business travelers, and tourists visiting the Huntington Museum of Art or attending events at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena. Target 2-4 bedroom properties built after 1980 with updated kitchens, reliable WiFi capability, parking spaces, and outdoor areas, as these features command higher nightly rates of $80-150 in the Huntington market. Analyze comparable properties on Airbnb and VRBO within a 5-mile radius, noting that successful STRs typically achieve 60-75% occupancy rates with average daily rates 20-30% higher than local hotel rates at properties like Hampton Inn or Holiday Inn Express. Research competition by monitoring listings in the Ritter Park, Old Central City, and Highlawn neighborhoods, identifying gaps in amenities or property types that could differentiate your listing. Utilize tools like AirDNA for market analytics, STR Helper for revenue projections, Mashvisor for investment analysis, and local resources including the Cabell County Assessor's office for property values, Huntington Regional Chamber of Commerce for tourism data, and Marshall University's event calendar to understand seasonal demand patterns that typically peak during football season, graduation periods, and summer months when river activities and festivals drive visitor traffic.

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. You'll also 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 includes a public hearing before the Planning Commission, with notification requirements to neighboring properties within 200 feet. Additional Huntington-specific requirements include maintaining a 24-hour contact person, limiting occupancy to 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, providing adequate refuse collection, and ensuring compliance with all building and fire codes through inspections by the Building Department and Fire Marshal, with total costs typically ranging from $800-1,200 for initial permits and inspections.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Huntington, West Virginia, as the city has not enacted specific prohibitions against vacation rental properties. However, STR operators must comply with standard business licensing requirements, zoning regulations, and safety codes that apply to all rental properties in the city. Properties used as short-term rentals are typically subject to the same occupancy limits, parking requirements, and noise ordinances as other residential uses, and operators may need to obtain a business license and collect applicable taxes. While West Virginia state law does not specifically regulate STRs, local municipalities have the authority to establish their own rules, and Huntington's approach has been relatively permissive compared to some other cities that have implemented strict caps or zoning restrictions. Property owners should verify current zoning compliance in their specific neighborhood, as some residential districts may have restrictions on commercial activities, and the regulatory landscape for STRs continues to evolve as the industry grows throughout the state.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Huntington, West Virginia include the Historic Downtown District near the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center and Pullman Square, which attracts visitors for entertainment events, dining, and cultural activities throughout the year. The Heritage Village area offers charm for tourists interested in local history and provides easy access to the Ohio River waterfront activities. The Marshall University vicinity, particularly neighborhoods within walking distance of campus, presents strong rental demand from visiting families during football games, graduation ceremonies, and university events, with consistent bookings during the academic year. The East End residential neighborhoods near Ritter Park provide a quieter setting that appeals to business travelers visiting Huntington's medical facilities and corporate offices, while still offering proximity to recreational amenities. The Ohio River waterfront areas, especially near Harris Riverfront Park, attract visitors during summer festivals, outdoor concerts, and river-related tourism activities, making them ideal for seasonal rental income.

In Huntington, West Virginia, Airbnb properties are subject to the state's 6% sales tax on lodging accommodations, which applies to rentals of less than 30 consecutive days, and this tax is typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests and remitted to the West Virginia State Tax Department on behalf of hosts through their automated tax collection system that began around 2019. Additionally, Cabell County (where Huntington is located) may impose a local hotel occupancy tax of approximately 3-5%, though collection and remittance procedures for this local tax often require hosts to register directly with the county tax assessor's office and file monthly or quarterly returns depending on revenue thresholds. Properties rented for 30 days or longer are generally exempt from these transient occupancy taxes, and some jurisdictions may provide exemptions for rentals to government employees or during certain emergency situations, but hosts should verify current rates and procedures with both the West Virginia State Tax Department and Cabell County tax authorities as rates and collection methods can change periodically.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Huntington, West Virginia is approximately $185,000-$225,000. Property purchase costs around $120,000-$150,000 based on median home prices in the area. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $15,000-$25,000 for quality furniture, appliances, linens, and decor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations total $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and tax registration cost approximately $500-$1,000. Insurance for short-term rental coverage runs $2,000-$3,000 annually. Utilities including electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable average $300-$400 monthly or $1,800-$2,400 for six months. First six months operating costs including cleaning services, supplies, maintenance, marketing, and platform fees total $8,000-$12,000. Property taxes and HOA fees if applicable add another $2,000-$4,000 for the initial six-month 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, resulting in monthly revenues of $1,200-2,400 for well-managed properties with 60-70% occupancy rates. Operating expenses including cleaning fees ($25-40 per turnover), utilities ($150-250 monthly), property management (15-25% of revenue), insurance ($100-200 monthly), and maintenance costs typically consume 45-60% of gross revenue, leaving profit margins of 15-35% for successful operators. Properties near Marshall University or downtown areas perform better, with some hosts reporting annual profits of $8,000-15,000 on properties valued at $80,000-150,000, though seasonal fluctuations during university breaks and winter months can significantly impact performance. Success factors include competitive pricing, professional photography, quick response times, and targeting the mix of business travelers, university visitors, and tourists exploring the Ohio River region, with properties featuring modern amenities and parking commanding premium rates in this smaller market where hotel alternatives are limited.

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 the city's proximity to Marshall University and steady business travel to the regional medical centers and government facilities. Properties near the university campus or downtown historic district command higher occupancy rates of 60-75% 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, with total investment recovery timeframes of 7-10 years depending on property acquisition costs and renovation expenses. The market benefits from limited hotel inventory and consistent demand from university visitors, medical professionals, and river commerce activities, though seasonal fluctuations occur during summer months when student demand decreases, requiring hosts to adjust pricing strategies and target leisure travelers exploring the Ohio River Valley region.

STRSearch is a national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties in Huntington, West Virginia, by analyzing market data and rental potential. Local real estate agents in the Huntington area who specialize 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 and Tri-State Commercial Properties focusing on rental investment opportunities. National services that assist Airbnb investors in the Huntington market include Mashvisor for property analysis, AirDNA for market research and revenue projections, Awning for full-service Airbnb property management, RedAwning for vacation rental management, and Vacasa for property management services. Additional local services include Huntington Area Development Council for market insights, local property management companies like Premier Property Management WV, and investment-focused real estate firms such as Mountain State Investment Properties and Ohio Valley Real Estate Investors, which help identify properties in neighborhoods near Marshall University and downtown Huntington that typically perform well as short-term rentals due to business travel and university visitor demand.