Is Jackson, Wyoming Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Jackson, Wyoming, begin by researching local regulations through the Town of Jackson Planning Department, as Jackson requires short-term rental permits and limits rentals to properties zoned for commercial or mixed-use, with residential properties facing strict restrictions since 2017. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from Teton County ($50-100), short-term rental permit from Jackson ($200-500 annually), and ensure compliance with fire safety codes and occupancy limits. Find suitable property by purchasing or leasing commercial-zoned real estate, with average property prices ranging $800,000-2,000,000 due to Jackson's resort market, or consider properties in unincorporated Teton County which has different regulations. Furnish the space with high-quality, durable furniture suitable for outdoor enthusiasts visiting for skiing and hiking, including amenities like ski storage, hot tub, and mountain-appropriate gear, budgeting $15,000-40,000 for complete furnishing. List your property on Airbnb, VRBO, and local platforms like Jackson Hole Resort Lodging, emphasizing proximity to Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Grand Teton National Park, and downtown Jackson, with rates typically $200-800 per night depending on season and property size. Manage the property by hiring local cleaning services ($75-150 per turnover), partnering with property management companies like Vacasa or RedAwning (15-25% commission), maintaining 24/7 guest communication, and preparing for peak seasons during winter skiing (December-March) and summer tourism (June-September) while navigating Jackson's competitive short-term rental market and strict noise ordinances.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Jackson, Wyoming, focus on locations within 15-20 minutes of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Grand Teton National Park entrances, prioritizing properties in Teton Village, downtown Jackson, or Wilson for maximum guest appeal. Target 3-4 bedroom mountain homes or luxury condos with ski-in/ski-out access, hot tubs, mountain views, and rustic-modern aesthetics that can command $300-800+ per night during peak ski season (December-March) and summer months (June-September). Analyze comparable properties on Airbnb and VRBO to ensure your pricing falls within the $200-600 range for shoulder seasons while maximizing peak rates, and calculate potential annual revenue of $80,000-200,000 for well-positioned properties. Research competition density using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify undersaturated neighborhoods, while monitoring occupancy rates that typically range 60-75% annually in Jackson's market. Utilize local resources like Jackson Hole Real Estate Associates, Teton County planning documents for zoning compliance, and STR management companies like RedAwning or Vacasa for market insights, while ensuring properties meet Teton County's short-term rental licensing requirements and HOA restrictions that may limit rental activities in certain developments.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Jackson, Wyoming, you must first apply through the Town of Jackson Planning Department located at 150 E Pearl Avenue or online through their permitting portal. Required documents include a completed short-term rental application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement with landlord consent, floor plans showing maximum occupancy, parking plan demonstrating adequate off-street parking, waste management plan, and a $500 application fee plus $200 annual renewal fee. The process typically takes 4-6 weeks for review and approval. Jackson-specific requirements include limiting occupancy to 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests maximum, maintaining a local contact person available 24/7 within 30 minutes of the property, providing adequate parking (minimum 1 space per bedroom), ensuring compliance with noise ordinances, and registering with the Wyoming Department of Revenue for lodging tax collection. Properties must also meet all building and fire safety codes, display the permit number in all advertisements, and maintain a guest registry. The permit must be renewed annually by December 31st, and violations can result in fines up to $1,000 per day and permit revocation.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in Jackson, Wyoming, but operate under strict regulations implemented by the Town of Jackson. As of 2023, the town requires STR operators to obtain a business license and comply with zoning restrictions that limit STRs primarily to commercial and mixed-use zones, while prohibiting them in most residential neighborhoods to preserve housing stock for local workers. Properties must meet safety requirements including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers, and operators must provide 24/7 contact information and respond to complaints within one hour. The town has implemented a cap on the total number of STR permits available and requires annual renewals, with violations potentially resulting in permit revocation. Recent changes in 2022-2023 have tightened enforcement and increased penalties for non-compliance, reflecting the community's ongoing struggle to balance tourism revenue with affordable housing concerns for residents and seasonal workers in this high-cost resort town.

The most lucrative Airbnb investment areas in Jackson, Wyoming include the Town Square/Downtown district which attracts year-round visitors due to its proximity to restaurants, shopping, and the famous antler arches, generating consistent bookings from both summer tourists and winter ski enthusiasts. The Teton Village area near Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is highly profitable during ski season (December-April) and summer months, commanding premium rates due to direct resort access and luxury amenities expectations. The South Park/Rafter J Ranch neighborhood offers excellent investment potential with larger properties that appeal to families and groups visiting Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, particularly strong during peak summer months (June-September). The East Jackson area near the National Elk Refuge provides unique wildlife viewing opportunities and attracts nature photographers and outdoor enthusiasts year-round, while the Wilson district, though pricier to enter, offers high-end vacation rental potential with stunning Teton views and attracts affluent visitors seeking luxury mountain experiences, especially during Jackson Hole's peak seasons and special events like the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival and Grand Teton Music Festival.

In Jackson, Wyoming, Airbnb properties are subject to both state and local lodging taxes that total approximately 8-10% of the rental amount. The Wyoming state lodging tax is 4% on gross receipts from lodging accommodations, while Teton County imposes an additional 4% lodging tax, and the Town of Jackson adds a 2% resort tax for properties within town limits. These taxes are collected from guests at the time of booking through Airbnb's automatic tax collection system for most properties, though some hosts may need to collect and remit taxes manually depending on their registration status. Hosts must register with the Wyoming Department of Revenue and obtain a lodging tax license, then file monthly returns by the 20th of the following month, remitting collected taxes to both state and local authorities. Teton County requires separate registration and monthly remittance of local taxes, while Jackson's resort tax must be filed with the town clerk's office. Exemptions typically include stays exceeding 30 consecutive days, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient lodging, and accommodations for certain government employees or during specific emergency situations, though hosts should verify current exemption criteria with local tax authorities as regulations can change.

To start an Airbnb in Jackson, Wyoming, expect total costs around $1,850,000-$2,100,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at approximately $1,600,000-$1,800,000 for a median-priced home suitable for short-term rental in this high-end resort market. Furnishing costs will run $35,000-$50,000 for quality mountain-style furniture, appliances, linens, and décor appropriate for Jackson's luxury tourism market. Initial setup including professional photography, listing creation, and marketing materials costs $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees total $2,500-$4,000, covering business license, short-term rental permit, and potential HOA approvals. Insurance including liability and property coverage specifically for short-term rentals costs $4,000-$6,000 annually. Utilities setup and deposits for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable run $1,500-$2,500. First six months operating costs including utilities ($1,200/month), cleaning services ($150 per turnover), maintenance, supplies, and platform fees total approximately $15,000-$20,000, assuming 60-70% occupancy rates typical for Jackson's seasonal tourism patterns.

Airbnb properties in Jackson, Wyoming demonstrate strong profitability potential due to the area's proximity to Jackson Hole ski resort and Grand Teton National Park, with average nightly rates ranging from $200-600 depending on property size and location. A typical 3-bedroom vacation rental in Jackson can generate $80,000-150,000 in annual revenue, while operating expenses including property management (10-20%), cleaning fees ($75-150 per turnover), utilities ($300-500 monthly), insurance ($2,000-4,000 annually), and maintenance typically consume 40-60% of gross revenue. Properties within walking distance of downtown Jackson or with mountain views command premium rates and achieve 65-80% occupancy during peak seasons (December-March for skiing, June-September for summer tourism), resulting in net profit margins of 25-45%. Success factors include professional photography showcasing mountain views, responsive guest communication, partnerships with local activity providers, and strategic pricing that adjusts for Jackson Hole's seasonal demand patterns. Case studies from the Teton Village area show that luxury properties with hot tubs and ski-in/ski-out access can achieve ROI of 8-12% annually, while more modest properties in town still generate 6-9% returns, making Jackson's Airbnb market particularly attractive compared to many other mountain resort destinations where profit margins typically range 15-25%.

Airbnb investments in Jackson, Wyoming typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% due to the area's strong tourism demand driven by proximity to Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole ski resort. Cash-on-cash returns generally range from 8-14% annually, with properties near Teton Village and downtown Jackson commanding premium rates of $300-600 per night during peak ski season (December-March) and summer months (June-September). Most investors achieve profitability within 18-24 months, with luxury cabins and ski-in/ski-out properties reaching break-even faster at 12-18 months due to average daily rates exceeding $400. The market benefits from year-round demand with 70-80% occupancy rates for well-managed properties, though investors should account for seasonal fluctuations where winter and summer months generate 60-70% of annual revenue. Properties purchased in the $800K-$1.5M range typically see gross rental yields of 6-9% before expenses, with net yields settling around 4-6% after management fees, cleaning, maintenance, and local lodging taxes.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors, including in Jackson, Wyoming. Local real estate agents who focus on investment properties in Jackson include Jackson Hole Real Estate Associates, Engel & Völkers Jackson Hole, and Sotheby's International Realty Jackson Hole, with agents like Sarah Thompson and Mike Rodriguez who have experience with vacation rental investments. National services that help investors find Airbnb properties include Mashvisor, which provides rental property analytics, AirDNA for market data and performance metrics, and Roofstock which occasionally features short-term rental opportunities. Local property management companies that also help investors identify opportunities include Jackson Hole Property Management and Teton Village Property Management, established around 2015 and 2018 respectively. Additional national platforms include BiggerPockets for networking with local investors, Awning for short-term rental investing guidance, and RedAwning which offers both property management and investment advisory services specifically for vacation rental properties in resort markets like Jackson Hole.