Is Hyattsville, Maryland Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Hyattsville, Maryland, begin by researching local regulations as Prince George's County requires short-term rental operators to obtain a business license and comply with zoning restrictions, with most residential areas allowing rentals for stays of 30 days or less. Contact the Prince George's County Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE) at 301-636-2000 to obtain necessary permits including a rental license, which costs approximately $50-100 annually, and ensure your property meets fire safety and occupancy standards. Find a suitable property in neighborhoods like Historic Hyattsville or near the University of Maryland for higher demand, considering properties with 2-3 bedrooms that can accommodate families or groups visiting the area's attractions like the Anacostia River Trail. Furnish the space with essential amenities including Wi-Fi, kitchen supplies, linens, and local guidebooks, budgeting $3,000-8,000 for initial setup depending on property size. List your property on Airbnb with professional photos highlighting proximity to Washington DC (15 minutes by Metro), competitive pricing around $80-150 per night based on local market rates, and detailed descriptions of nearby attractions like Lake Artemesia and Gateway Arts District. Manage your listing by responding to inquiries within an hour, maintaining a 4.8+ star rating through excellent customer service, coordinating cleaning between guests through local services like Turnover BnB or independent cleaners charging $75-125 per turnover, and staying compliant with Maryland's 6% sales tax and Prince George's County's 5% hotel tax requirements while keeping detailed records for tax purposes.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Hyattsville, Maryland, focus on locations within 1-2 miles of the University of Maryland College Park campus, near Metro stations (particularly West Hyattsville and Prince George's Plaza), and in walkable neighborhoods like Historic Hyattsville with proximity to restaurants and amenities. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or townhouses built after 1980 with dedicated parking, modern kitchens, reliable WiFi capability, and outdoor spaces, as these appeal to visiting families, university guests, and DC commuters. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against comparable properties, aiming for nightly rates between $80-150 depending on size and location, while analyzing seasonal demand patterns driven by university events and DC tourism. Research competition by examining existing Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 3-mile radius, identifying gaps in amenities or underserved areas, and monitor occupancy rates and guest reviews of similar properties. Utilize tools like Rabbu for Hyattsville-specific rental regulations compliance, STR Helper for performance tracking, and local resources including the Hyattsville Community Development Corporation and Prince George's County planning department to understand zoning restrictions and licensing requirements, while networking with local real estate agents familiar with the University of Maryland and DC metro area rental markets.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Hyattsville, Maryland, you must first apply through the City of Hyattsville's Department of Planning and Development Services by submitting a Short-Term Rental License application, which can be obtained from City Hall at 4310 Gallatin Street or downloaded from the city website. Required documents include a completed application form, proof of property ownership or lease agreement with landlord consent, certificate of occupancy, fire safety inspection certificate from the Prince George's County Fire Department, general liability insurance policy with minimum $1 million coverage naming the city as additional insured, floor plan showing maximum occupancy, contact information for a local responsible party available 24/7, and payment of applicable fees. The application fee is approximately $150 with an annual renewal fee of $100, plus inspection fees of around $75. The timeline typically takes 4-6 weeks for processing once all documents are submitted and inspections are completed. Hyattsville-specific requirements include limiting occupancy to no more than 2 guests per bedroom with a maximum of 8 guests total, maintaining off-street parking for each rental unit, ensuring the property meets all zoning requirements for the specific district, registering with the state of Maryland for tax purposes, and complying with noise ordinances and neighborhood compatibility standards established in 2019.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Hyattsville, Maryland are currently prohibited under the city's zoning ordinance, which does not permit transient accommodations in residential zones. The city has maintained strict regulations against STRs since approximately 2018-2019, when many municipalities in the Washington D.C. metro area began addressing the proliferation of platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. Hyattsville's zoning code restricts short-term rentals of less than 30 days in all residential districts, effectively banning most vacation rental operations throughout the city's predominantly residential neighborhoods. Unlike some neighboring jurisdictions such as Washington D.C. or certain areas of Montgomery County that have developed licensing and regulatory frameworks for STRs, Hyattsville has taken a more restrictive approach, citing concerns about neighborhood character, parking, noise, and housing availability for long-term residents. Property owners who operate STRs in violation of these regulations face code enforcement actions and potential fines, and the city has not indicated any recent moves toward liberalizing these restrictions or creating a permitting system for short-term rentals.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Hyattsville, Maryland include the Arts District near Route 1, which attracts visitors to the Gateway Arts District with its galleries, restaurants, and cultural events, plus proximity to the University of Maryland College Park generating consistent student and parent traffic. The Historic District around Gallatin Street offers charm for tourists interested in the area's heritage while being close to Washington DC via Metro's Green Line. The neighborhoods near the West Hyattsville Metro Station, particularly around Hamilton Street, provide excellent investment potential due to easy access to downtown DC for business travelers and tourists, with the 15-20 minute commute making it attractive for extended stays. The area around Magruder Park and the Northwest Branch Trail appeals to outdoor enthusiasts and families visiting the region. Properties near the Prince George's Plaza Metro Station benefit from both DC accessibility and proximity to shopping centers, making them suitable for various traveler types including business visitors to nearby government facilities and contractors working in the DC metro area.

Airbnb properties in Hyattsville, Maryland are subject to multiple lodging taxes including the Maryland state sales tax of 6% on short-term rentals, Prince George's County hotel/motel tax of 7%, and potentially a Hyattsville municipal lodging tax of approximately 3-5%. These taxes are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking for most jurisdictions through their automatic tax collection service, which began around 2016-2017 for Maryland localities. Host remittance procedures vary by jurisdiction - while Airbnb handles collection and remittance for state and many local taxes automatically, some hosts may need to register with Prince George's County and file quarterly returns if their property isn't covered by Airbnb's automatic collection. The combined effective tax rate ranges from 13-18% depending on specific local requirements. Exemptions generally apply to stays exceeding 30 consecutive days, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient lodging, and properties rented fewer than 15 days per year may qualify for certain tax exemptions under IRS guidelines, though local occupancy taxes may still apply.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Hyattsville, Maryland is approximately $385,000-$425,000. Property purchase costs around $350,000 based on median home prices in the area as of 2023. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $8,000-$12,000 for essential furniture, appliances, linens, and decor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations total $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and inspection fees cost approximately $500-$800 in Prince George's County. Insurance for short-term rental coverage adds $1,200-$1,800 annually, with the first year paid upfront. Utilities including electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable average $200-$300 monthly or $1,200-$1,800 for six months. First six months operating costs including cleaning services ($150 per turnover), supplies, maintenance, platform fees (3% of bookings), and marketing total approximately $3,000-$4,000, assuming 60-70% occupancy rates typical for the Washington DC metro area market.

Airbnb properties in Hyattsville, Maryland typically generate average monthly revenues of $2,800-$4,200 for entire homes and $1,800-$2,600 for private rooms, with annual occupancy rates ranging from 65-75% according to AirDNA market data from 2023-2024. Operating expenses generally consume 40-55% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($75-$125 per turnover), utilities ($150-$250 monthly), property management (15-25% of revenue), insurance ($1,200-$2,000 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $200-$400 monthly. Properties within 2-3 miles of the University of Maryland College Park command premium rates of $120-$180 per night compared to $85-$130 for standard listings, with hosts like those operating converted basement apartments near campus reporting net profit margins of 25-35% after expenses. Success factors include proximity to Metro stations (particularly West Hyattsville and Prince George's Plaza), professional photography, rapid response times under 1 hour, and amenities targeting business travelers and university visitors. Case studies from local property management companies like RedAwning and Vacasa show that well-positioned 3-bedroom homes in Hyattsville's historic district achieve $45,000-$65,000 in annual gross revenue with net profits of $18,000-$28,000, representing ROI of 8-12% for properties valued at $300,000-$450,000.

Airbnb investments in Hyattsville, Maryland typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% based on current market conditions, with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-14% depending on financing structure and property type. Properties in Hyattsville benefit from proximity to Washington D.C., with average daily rates of $85-120 and occupancy rates of 65-75% annually. Initial profitability usually occurs within 8-14 months after accounting for setup costs, furnishing, and marketing expenses. Two-bedroom properties near the University of Maryland and Metro stations perform strongest, with gross rental yields of 15-22% before expenses. Market analysis from 2023-2024 shows Hyattsville's growing appeal to business travelers and tourists seeking affordable alternatives to D.C. accommodations, with properties requiring initial investments of $180,000-280,000 generating monthly gross revenues of $2,200-3,800 during peak seasons.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors looking in Hyattsville, Maryland. Local real estate agents like those at Keller Williams Capital Properties and RE/MAX Advantage Realty have developed expertise in the Hyattsville market and can identify properties with strong Airbnb potential near the University of Maryland and Washington DC metro area. National services include Mashvisor, which provides rental property analytics and market data for the Hyattsville area, and BiggerPockets, which connects investors with local professionals experienced in short-term rental investments. AirDNA offers comprehensive market analysis and revenue projections for Airbnb properties in Prince George's County, while Awning provides full-service property management and investment guidance for short-term rentals in the DC metro area. Local property management companies like RedAwning and Vacasa have expanded into the Hyattsville market to help investors maximize their rental income, and real estate investment firms such as Roofstock and Fundrise have identified the area as having strong potential for vacation rental investments due to its proximity to Washington DC and major universities.