Is Johnstown, Pennsylvania Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, begin by researching local regulations through the Johnstown Planning Commission and Cambria County offices, as the city requires short-term rental operators to obtain a business license and may require zoning compliance verification depending on your property's location. Contact the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue to register for tax collection purposes, as you'll need to collect and remit state sales tax and local occupancy taxes. Find a suitable property in desirable neighborhoods like Westmont, Southmont, or downtown areas near the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, ensuring it meets safety requirements including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and proper egress routes. Furnish the space with quality basics including comfortable bedding, kitchen essentials, WiFi, and local guidebooks highlighting attractions like the Johnstown Flood Museum and Inclined Plane. Create your listing on Airbnb with professional photos, competitive pricing around $60-120 per night based on local market rates, and detailed descriptions emphasizing proximity to Point Stadium, downtown restaurants, and outdoor activities in the Laurel Highlands region. Manage your property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, maintaining responsive communication, providing local recommendations for dining at places like The Boulevard Grill or shopping at Johnstown Galleria, and ensuring compliance with noise ordinances and parking regulations that may apply in residential areas.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, focus on locations near Johnstown Flood Museum, Point Stadium, and the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown campus, as these areas generate consistent visitor traffic. Target 2-3 bedroom properties built after 1950 with updated kitchens, reliable WiFi capability, and parking availability, as Johnstown's industrial heritage attracts business travelers and tourists who value comfort and convenience. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against the local market, where average daily rates typically range $75-120 depending on property size and amenities. Research competition by analyzing existing Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 3-mile radius of downtown Johnstown, noting occupancy patterns during peak seasons like summer months and university events. Utilize tools like STR Helper for market analysis, Zillow and Realtor.com for property acquisition costs, and connect with local real estate agents familiar with Cambria County's rental regulations and zoning requirements, while monitoring seasonal demand fluctuations tied to outdoor recreation at nearby Laurel Highlands and business travel to local healthcare facilities like Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, you must first contact the Johnstown City Planning Department at City Hall located at 401 Main Street to determine specific zoning requirements for your property, as short-term rentals may require conditional use permits in certain residential zones. Submit an application to the Building Permits and Inspections Department including a completed STR permit application form, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of occupancy, fire safety inspection certificate from the Johnstown Fire Department, proof of liability insurance (minimum $1 million coverage), floor plan showing maximum occupancy, and contact information for a local property manager if you're an absentee owner. Required documents also include a business license from the City Clerk's office, Pennsylvania sales tax license, and Cambria County tax registration. Application fees typically range from $150-300 for the initial permit plus $75-150 for annual renewals, with additional costs for required inspections ($100-200). The approval timeline is generally 4-6 weeks after submitting a complete application, though this can extend to 8-10 weeks if zoning variances are required. Johnstown-specific requirements include maintaining a guest registry, posting maximum occupancy limits, providing 24/7 local contact information, ensuring adequate parking (typically one space per bedroom), and complying with noise ordinances with quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM. Properties must also meet all building and fire codes, have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in each sleeping area, and maintain the property in accordance with city housing standards.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, as the city has not enacted specific prohibitive ordinances against vacation rentals like Airbnb or VRBO. However, STR operators must comply with standard zoning regulations, business licensing requirements, and safety codes that apply to all rental properties in the city. Properties used as STRs typically need to obtain proper business licenses and may be subject to occupancy limits based on zoning districts, with residential areas potentially having stricter requirements than commercial zones. The city requires compliance with fire safety codes, building inspections, and tax obligations including local earned income tax and potential hotel occupancy taxes. As of recent years, Johnstown has not implemented the comprehensive STR regulations seen in larger Pennsylvania cities like Philadelphia or Pittsburgh, but property owners should verify current zoning compliance and obtain necessary permits through the city's planning and zoning department. The legal landscape for STRs in smaller Pennsylvania municipalities like Johnstown remains relatively permissive compared to major urban centers, though this could change as the industry continues to grow and local governments adapt their regulatory frameworks.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Johnstown, Pennsylvania include the Downtown Historic District, which attracts visitors to the Heritage Discovery Center, Johnstown Flood Museum, and various cultural events throughout the year, plus business travelers visiting local government offices and healthcare facilities. The Westmont neighborhood offers higher-end properties with scenic views and proximity to the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, drawing parents visiting students and academic conference attendees. The Kernville area near the Stonycreek River provides opportunities for outdoor recreation tourism, including fishing, kayaking, and trail access to the Ghost Town Trail and Path of the Flood Trail. The Southmont district benefits from its proximity to Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, attracting medical tourists and families of patients requiring extended stays. Additionally, properties near the Johnstown Chiefs hockey arena and Point Stadium can capitalize on sports tourism and events, while areas close to the Inclined Plane - one of the world's steepest vehicular inclined planes - attract tourists interested in this unique historical attraction and engineering marvel.

In Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Airbnb hosts are subject to both state and local lodging taxes. The Pennsylvania state hotel occupancy tax is 6% and applies to all short-term rental accommodations under 30 days. Cambria County imposes an additional 3% hotel tax, bringing the total occupancy tax to approximately 9%. These taxes are typically collected from guests at the time of booking through Airbnb's automatic tax collection system, which remits payments directly to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue and local authorities on behalf of hosts. Hosts must register with the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue to obtain a sales tax license and may need to register separately with Cambria County for the local hotel tax. Monthly or quarterly remittance is required depending on the volume of bookings, with returns due by the 20th of the following month. Stays of 30 days or longer are generally exempt from occupancy taxes, and some properties may qualify for exemptions if they meet specific criteria such as being used for permanent residency purposes, though standard vacation rentals do not typically qualify for exemptions.

To start an Airbnb in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, the total initial costs would be approximately $85,000-$95,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at around $65,000 based on Johnstown's median home price as of 2023. Furnishing costs typically range $8,000-$12,000 for a complete 2-3 bedroom property including furniture, bedding, kitchenware, and electronics from retailers like IKEA, Wayfair, and Amazon. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations average $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees vary but generally total $500-$800 including business license, short-term rental permit, and potential zoning approvals from Cambria County. Insurance specifically for short-term rentals costs approximately $1,200-$1,800 annually through companies like Proper Insurance or CBIZ. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable typically require $800-$1,200 upfront. First six months of operating costs including utilities ($150/month), cleaning supplies ($100/month), maintenance reserves ($200/month), platform fees to Airbnb (3% of bookings), and marketing expenses total approximately $3,500-$4,500, assuming moderate occupancy rates during the initial period.

Airbnb properties in Johnstown, Pennsylvania typically generate modest returns with average nightly rates ranging from $45-85 depending on property size and location, resulting in monthly revenues of $800-1,500 for properties with 50-60% 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 40-60% of gross revenue. Properties near the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown or downtown areas perform better, with some hosts reporting annual profits of $8,000-15,000 on properties purchased for $60,000-120,000, yielding profit margins of 15-25%. Success factors include competitive pricing during Johnstown's seasonal events like Thunder in the Valley motorcycle rally, maintaining high cleanliness standards, and targeting longer-term stays from business travelers and university visitors. A case study from 2022 showed a renovated 3-bedroom home near downtown generating $18,000 annual revenue with $12,000 in expenses, netting $6,000 profit, though the city's declining population and limited tourism infrastructure present ongoing challenges for sustained profitability compared to larger Pennsylvania markets like Pittsburgh or Philadelphia.

Airbnb investments in Johnstown, Pennsylvania typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% based on current market conditions. Properties in downtown Johnstown near the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown and Conemaugh Health System facilities tend to perform better, with average daily rates of $65-85 and occupancy rates around 55-65%. Initial investment recovery typically occurs within 7-10 years, with monthly gross rental income averaging $800-1,200 for a standard 2-3 bedroom property purchased at $80,000-120,000. The market benefits from medical tourism, university visitors, and outdoor recreation tourism from nearby Laurel Highlands, though seasonal fluctuations affect winter bookings. Operating expenses including utilities, cleaning, maintenance, and platform fees typically consume 40-50% of gross revenue, making net annual returns more conservative at 6-9% for most properties in the Johnstown metropolitan area.

STRSearch is a national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties across markets including Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Local real estate agents like Keller Williams Greater Johnstown, RE/MAX Select Realty, and Century 21 Frontier Realty have experience with investment properties in the area. National services include Awning (formerly RedAwning) which provides Airbnb investment property search and management, Mashvisor for rental property analytics, and AirDNA for short-term rental market data. Local property management companies like Johnstown Property Management and Cambria County rental specialists can assist with ongoing operations. BiggerPockets marketplace connects investors with local agents familiar with STR investments, while Roofstock and Arrived Homes offer turnkey rental property investments that could include the Johnstown market. Local mortgage brokers and investment-focused lenders like Lima One Capital and Visio Lending specialize in financing for short-term rental properties in secondary markets like Johnstown.