Is Jacksonville, North Carolina Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Jacksonville, North Carolina, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Onslow County Planning Department and Jacksonville City Hall, as short-term rentals may require special use permits or be restricted in certain residential zones. Contact the North Carolina Department of Revenue to obtain a sales tax license since you'll need to collect and remit state and local occupancy taxes (currently around 6.75% state sales tax plus local taxes). Find a suitable property by working with local real estate agents familiar with investment properties, focusing on areas near Camp Lejeune, downtown Jacksonville, or waterfront locations along the New River, with typical property prices ranging from $150,000-$400,000 depending on size and location. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from Jacksonville City Hall, fire safety inspections if required, and ensure compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements if applicable. Furnish the property with quality furniture, linens, kitchen essentials, and amenities that appeal to military families and tourists, budgeting approximately $15,000-$25,000 for a complete setup. Create compelling listings on Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com with professional photography highlighting proximity to military base, outdoor activities, and local attractions like the Lejeune Memorial Gardens. Implement a management system using tools like Hostfully or hire local property management companies such as Coastal Carolina Vacation Rentals, establish cleaning protocols with local services, and maintain competitive pricing typically ranging from $80-$200 per night depending on property size and season.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Jacksonville, North Carolina, focus on locations within 2-3 miles of Camp Lejeune military base and downtown areas near the New River, as military personnel and their families represent a consistent demand source year-round. Target 3-4 bedroom single-family homes or duplexes built after 1990 with dedicated parking, outdoor spaces, and military-friendly amenities like high-speed internet and flexible check-in options, as these properties typically command $80-150 per night depending on size and location. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify properties where monthly STR revenue potential exceeds 1.5-2x traditional rental income, with Jacksonville's average daily rates ranging $75-120 for well-positioned properties. Research competition by analyzing existing Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 5-mile radius, noting occupancy rates, pricing strategies, and guest reviews to identify market gaps or oversaturated areas. Utilize tools like Rabbu, BiggerPockets market analysis, and local MLS data through Zillow or Realtor.com, while connecting with Jacksonville-area real estate agents familiar with military housing allowances and seasonal demand patterns, and verify Onslow County's short-term rental regulations and licensing requirements before purchasing.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Jacksonville, North Carolina, contact the Onslow County Planning Department at 910-347-4691 or visit their office at 234 Northwest Corridor Boulevard since Jacksonville falls under county jurisdiction for short-term rental regulations. Submit a completed short-term rental application form along with a site plan showing the property layout, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, a septic system inspection certificate if not connected to city sewer, parking plan demonstrating adequate off-street parking for guests, and contact information for a local property manager if you live more than 50 miles away. Pay the application fee of approximately $150-200 plus an annual renewal fee of $75-100. Required documents also include a floor plan, emergency contact information posted visibly in the rental, and compliance with fire safety codes including smoke detectors in all bedrooms and common areas. The approval process typically takes 4-6 weeks after submitting a complete application, and you must also register with the North Carolina Department of Revenue for tax collection purposes. Properties must maintain residential character, provide one parking space per bedroom, and cannot exceed occupancy limits of two persons per bedroom plus two additional guests, with a maximum of 10 people total regardless of bedroom count.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in Jacksonville, North Carolina, but operate under specific municipal regulations and zoning restrictions. The city requires STR operators to obtain a business license and comply with local zoning ordinances, which typically limit short-term rentals to certain residential districts while prohibiting them in some neighborhoods to preserve residential character. Properties must meet safety and occupancy standards, including fire safety requirements and maximum occupancy limits based on square footage and bedrooms. Recent changes around 2022-2023 have included stricter enforcement of existing regulations and enhanced registration requirements, with the city implementing a more robust permitting process to address neighbor complaints and parking concerns. Jacksonville prohibits STRs in certain historic districts and areas zoned exclusively for single-family residential use, while allowing them in mixed-use and some multi-family zones with proper permits. Operators must also comply with state tax collection requirements and maintain liability insurance, with violations subject to fines and potential license revocation.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Jacksonville, North Carolina include the downtown historic district near the Onslow County Museum and courthouse area, which attracts business travelers and visitors to local government offices and cultural sites. The neighborhoods surrounding Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base are highly attractive due to consistent demand from military families, visiting relatives, and contractors, providing year-round occupancy potential. Areas near the New River and waterfront districts offer appeal to tourists seeking recreational activities like boating, fishing, and water sports. The Richlands Road corridor and surrounding residential areas benefit from proximity to both the base and commercial centers, attracting extended-stay guests and relocating military personnel. Properties near Jacksonville University (if present) or community college areas can capture student family visits and academic-related travel. The Western Boulevard and Gum Branch Road areas provide good investment opportunities due to their central location and accessibility to major employers, shopping centers, and dining establishments, making them suitable for both business and leisure travelers visiting this military-focused community.

Jacksonville, North Carolina imposes a 6% occupancy tax on short-term rental accommodations including Airbnbs, which is collected by Onslow County as the governing jurisdiction. This tax applies to rentals of less than 90 consecutive days and is typically collected directly from guests at the time of booking through platforms like Airbnb, which automatically adds the tax to reservations and remits payments quarterly to Onslow County on behalf of hosts. Hosts who collect payments outside of automated platforms must register with the county, collect the tax from guests, and remit payments by the 20th of each month following the month in which the rental occurred. The state of North Carolina also applies its standard 4.75% sales tax to short-term rentals, bringing the total tax burden to approximately 10.75%. Military personnel on official orders and stays exceeding 90 days are generally exempt from occupancy taxes, and some properties used for disaster relief or emergency housing may qualify for temporary exemptions during declared emergencies.

To start an Airbnb in Jacksonville, North Carolina, expect total costs around $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at approximately $150,000-$180,000 based on median home prices in the area. Furnishing costs typically range $8,000-$15,000 for a complete 2-3 bedroom setup including furniture, appliances, linens, and decor. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations average $2,000-$4,000. Permits and fees vary but budget $500-$1,500 for business licenses, short-term rental permits, and inspection fees. Insurance premiums for short-term rental coverage run $1,200-$2,400 annually, with the first year paid upfront. Utility deposits and setup fees total approximately $500-$800 for electricity, water, internet, and cable services. First six months operating costs including utilities ($150-$250 monthly), cleaning supplies ($100-$200 monthly), maintenance reserves ($200-$400 monthly), and marketing expenses ($100-$300 monthly) total roughly $3,300-$6,900. Additional considerations include property management software subscriptions at $20-$50 monthly and emergency repair funds of $2,000-$5,000 for unexpected issues during the initial operating period.

Airbnb properties in Jacksonville, North Carolina demonstrate moderate profitability with average annual revenues ranging from $18,000-$35,000 for typical 2-3 bedroom properties, while expenses including mortgage, utilities, cleaning, maintenance, and platform fees typically consume 60-75% of gross revenue, resulting in net profit margins of 25-40%. Properties near the coast and Camp Lejeune military base command premium rates of $80-150 per night during peak summer months, with successful hosts like those operating waterfront cottages in the Sneads Ferry area reporting annual profits of $12,000-$18,000 on properties valued around $200,000-$300,000. Key success factors include strategic location within 30 minutes of beaches, military-friendly amenities for Camp Lejeune personnel, professional photography, consistent 4.8+ star ratings, and dynamic pricing strategies that capitalize on fishing tournaments and summer tourism seasons. However, the market faces challenges from seasonal demand fluctuations, with winter occupancy rates dropping to 35-45% compared to 75-85% in summer, and increasing competition from new hosts entering the market since 2020 has compressed average daily rates by approximately 15-20% in some neighborhoods.

Airbnb investments in Jacksonville, North Carolina typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-15% depending on property type and location within the market. Properties near Camp Lejeune and downtown areas command higher nightly rates of $80-150, while suburban locations average $60-100 per night with occupancy rates of 65-75% annually. Initial investment recovery and profitability generally occurs within 18-24 months for well-positioned properties, with vacation rentals near Onslow Bay and New River performing strongest due to military personnel demand and seasonal tourism. Market data from 2022-2024 shows average property acquisition costs of $180,000-280,000 with annual gross revenues of $25,000-45,000 after accounting for seasonal fluctuations, cleaning fees, and local competition from established vacation rental companies like Vacasa and RedAwning operating in the Onslow County market.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Local real estate agents like Coastal Carolina Realty and Onslow County Real Estate Group have experience with investment properties in the area, while Century 21 Sweyer & Associates offers market expertise for vacation rental investments. National services include Awning (formerly RedAwning) which provides Airbnb property management and investment analysis, Mashvisor for rental property analytics, and AirDNA for short-term rental market data. BiggerPockets connects investors with local professionals, while Roofstock focuses on turnkey rental properties. Local property management companies like Emerald Coast Property Management and Crystal Coast Vacation Rentals can assist with both acquisition and ongoing management of Airbnb properties in the Jacksonville area, leveraging their knowledge of seasonal rental patterns and local regulations.