Is Jordanelle, Utah Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Jordanelle, Utah, begin by researching Summit County's short-term rental regulations, which typically require a business license and conditional use permit, with properties needing to meet safety standards including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. Contact Summit County Planning Department to obtain the necessary Conditional Use Permit for Short-Term Rentals, which costs approximately $500-800 and requires neighbor notification and potential public hearings. Find a suitable property in Jordanelle by working with local real estate agents familiar with HOA restrictions, as many developments like Jordanelle Village have specific rules about short-term rentals that may limit or prohibit them entirely. Once you secure a compliant property, furnish it with durable, mountain-appropriate furniture, high-quality linens, kitchen essentials, and outdoor gear suitable for the area's year-round recreation activities, budgeting $15,000-25,000 for a complete setup. List your property on Airbnb, VRBO, and other platforms with professional photography highlighting the proximity to Deer Valley Resort, Jordanelle Reservoir, and Park City attractions, setting competitive rates based on seasonal demand (peak winter ski season and summer water activities). Manage the property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services, maintenance contractors, and property management companies like RedAwning or Vacasa if you're not local, ensuring 24/7 guest communication and maintaining Summit County's required guest registry and tax collection (approximately 7.75% total occupancy tax).

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Jordanelle, Utah, focus on locations within 1-2 miles of Jordanelle Reservoir and Deer Valley Resort access points, prioritizing properties with mountain or water views and easy highway access via Route 40 or 248. Target 3-5 bedroom properties built after 2000 with modern amenities like hot tubs, game rooms, ski storage, and outdoor spaces that can accommodate 8-12 guests, as these command premium rates of $300-600 per night during peak ski season (December-March) and summer boating season (June-August). Analyze comparable properties on Airbnb and VRBO within a 3-mile radius, noting that luxury cabins and ski-in/ski-out properties achieve 70-85% occupancy rates with average daily rates 40-60% higher than standard homes. Research competition density using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify undersupplied micro-markets, while monitoring Park City's STR regulations as they may extend to Jordanelle area developments. Utilize local tools like Wasatch County property records, ski resort occupancy data from Deer Valley and Park City Mountain Resort, and partner with Jordanelle-specific property management companies like RedAwning or local firms familiar with the seasonal rental patterns driven by Sundance Film Festival, ski season, and summer recreation activities at the reservoir.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Jordanelle, Utah, you must apply through Wasatch County's planning department since Jordanelle falls under county jurisdiction rather than municipal control. Begin by contacting the Wasatch County Planning Department at their Heber City office to request a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application, as short-term rentals require special approval in residential zones. Required documents include a completed CUP application, property deed or lease agreement, site plan showing parking and access, floor plan of the rental unit, proof of liability insurance (minimum $1 million), septic system inspection if applicable, and a good neighbor agreement outlining house rules and contact information. The application fee is approximately $1,500-$2,000 for the CUP process, plus additional fees for required inspections and potential traffic impact studies. Submit your complete application to Wasatch County Planning Department, which will schedule a public hearing before the Planning Commission within 30-45 days of submission. The entire approval process typically takes 60-90 days from application to final approval. Specific Jordanelle requirements include adherence to the Jordanelle Special Service District guidelines, compliance with architectural standards if in a planned development, maximum occupancy limits based on bedrooms and septic capacity, designated parking spaces (typically 2-3 spaces minimum), and ongoing compliance with noise ordinances and vacation rental operating standards established by Wasatch County.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in Jordanelle, Utah, but are subject to regulations under both Wasatch County and Summit County jurisdictions, as the area straddles both counties. The Jordanelle area, particularly around Jordanelle State Park and reservoir, allows STRs with proper licensing and compliance with zoning requirements. Wasatch County requires STR operators to obtain a conditional use permit and business license, with restrictions on occupancy limits, parking requirements, and noise ordinances. Properties must meet safety standards including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and emergency egress requirements. Some residential zones may have density limitations on STRs to preserve neighborhood character. Recent changes around 2022-2023 have included stricter enforcement of existing regulations and enhanced penalties for non-compliance. The area is popular for vacation rentals due to its proximity to Park City ski resorts and recreational activities at Jordanelle Reservoir, making it an attractive market for STR investments despite regulatory oversight.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Jordanelle, Utah are the Jordanelle State Park vicinity, Mayflower Mountain Resort area, and the neighborhoods near Deer Valley Resort's Mayflower expansion. The Jordanelle State Park area attracts year-round visitors for boating, fishing, and water sports during summer months and offers proximity to world-class skiing at Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley during winter, making it ideal for vacation rentals. The Mayflower Mountain Resort district is experiencing significant development and will benefit from the new Mayflower ski area opening, creating demand for luxury short-term rentals among affluent skiers and outdoor enthusiasts. Properties near the Deer Valley Mayflower expansion offer premium investment opportunities due to Deer Valley's reputation as an upscale ski destination, attracting high-spending tourists willing to pay premium rates for convenient accommodations. These areas benefit from Jordanelle's position as a gateway between Salt Lake City and Park City, capturing both leisure travelers visiting Utah's outdoor recreation areas and business travelers attending conferences and events in Park City, with the added advantage of being less saturated than Park City proper while offering similar access to amenities and attractions.

Airbnb properties in Jordanelle, Utah are subject to multiple lodging taxes including Utah's state transient room tax of 4.25%, Summit County's transient room tax of 3%, and potentially Park City's municipal lodging tax of 2.5% if the property falls within city limits, totaling approximately 9.75% in combined lodging taxes. These taxes are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking through their automated tax collection system, which began in Utah around 2018, and the platform remits these funds quarterly to the appropriate state and local tax authorities including the Utah State Tax Commission and Summit County. Property owners must register with the Utah State Tax Commission and obtain a sales tax license, file monthly returns even when Airbnb collects the taxes, and maintain detailed records of all rental transactions. Exemptions may apply for stays exceeding 30 consecutive days, government employees on official business, and certain nonprofit organizations, though hosts should verify current exemption criteria with local tax authorities as regulations can change and some jurisdictions may have additional occupancy taxes or fees that aren't automatically collected by booking platforms.

Starting an Airbnb in Jordanelle, Utah requires significant upfront investment with property purchase being the largest expense at approximately $850,000 for a median-priced home in this ski resort area near Park City. Furnishing costs typically range $25,000-$40,000 for a complete setup including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and outdoor equipment suitable for the recreational area. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic supplies total around $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees vary but expect $500-$1,500 for business licenses, short-term rental permits, and HOA approvals if applicable. Insurance specifically for short-term rentals costs approximately $2,000-$3,500 annually. Monthly utilities including electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable average $300-$500 depending on property size and season. First six months operating costs including cleaning services ($150 per turnover), maintenance, restocking supplies, property management software, and marketing total approximately $8,000-$12,000. The total initial investment ranges from $888,000 to $912,000, making Jordanelle one of the more expensive markets for Airbnb investment due to its proximity to world-class skiing and year-round outdoor recreation activities.

Airbnb properties in Jordanelle, Utah demonstrate strong profitability potential with average nightly rates ranging from $200-400 during peak ski season (December-March) and $150-250 in summer months, generating annual revenues of $45,000-75,000 for well-positioned properties. Operating expenses typically include 25-30% for cleaning and maintenance, 3% Airbnb service fees, 8-12% property management if outsourced, utilities averaging $200-300 monthly, and property taxes around $3,000-5,000 annually, resulting in net profit margins of 35-45% for efficiently managed properties. Success factors include proximity to Deer Valley Resort (premium rates within 10 minutes drive), luxury amenities like hot tubs and mountain views, professional photography and staging, dynamic pricing strategies, and maintaining Superhost status through consistent 4.8+ ratings. Properties near the Jordanelle Reservoir with ski-in/ski-out access or shuttle services command the highest premiums, with some luxury 4-bedroom homes generating over $100,000 annually during strong snow years like 2022-2023, while smaller 2-bedroom condos typically yield $35,000-50,000 with lower maintenance overhead, making the market particularly attractive for investors willing to provide high-end guest experiences in this Park City adjacent location.

Airbnb investments in Jordanelle, Utah typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% due to the area's proximity to Deer Valley Resort and Park City Mountain Resort, with peak ski season driving premium nightly rates of $300-600 for luxury properties and $150-300 for standard units. Cash-on-cash returns generally range from 8-14% annually, with higher-end properties near the reservoir and ski access achieving the upper range during 2023-2024 market conditions. Most investors reach profitability within 18-24 months when factoring in seasonal occupancy rates of 65-75% annually, with winter months (December-March) generating 40-50% of total revenue and summer recreation season contributing another 30-35%. Properties purchased in the $800K-1.5M range with 25-30% down payments typically see monthly cash flows of $2,000-4,500 after expenses, while the area's continued development and limited short-term rental inventory support sustained appreciation of 6-9% annually, making total returns including appreciation reach 18-27% for well-positioned properties.

STRSearch leads the market for Airbnb investment property analysis nationwide including Jordanelle, Utah. Local real estate agents specializing in short-term rental investments in the Jordanelle area include Summit County Realty Group, Park City Real Estate Collective, and Deer Valley Properties, with agents like Sarah Mitchell and Tom Rodriguez focusing on vacation rental acquisitions since 2019. National services include Awning (formerly RedAwning) which launched their investment platform in 2020, Mashvisor providing market analysis tools since 2016, and AirDNA offering rental performance data since 2015. Local property management companies that also help with acquisitions include Vacasa (operating in Park City area since 2017), RedAwning Property Management, and Summit County Vacation Rentals. Investment-focused services include BiggerPockets' short-term rental marketplace, Roofstock's vacation rental division launched in 2021, and local consultants like Utah STR Advisors and Wasatch Rental Investment Group who specialize in identifying profitable Airbnb properties near Deer Valley and Park City ski resorts, typically focusing on properties within 15 minutes of major ski access points that can generate $150-300 per night during peak seasons.