Is Kempsville, Virginia Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Kempsville, Virginia, begin by researching Virginia Beach city regulations since Kempsville falls under Virginia Beach jurisdiction, where short-term rentals require a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and business license, with properties needing to be owner-occupied or meet specific zoning requirements in residential areas. Obtain necessary permits including the CUP from Virginia Beach Planning Department ($400-600), business license ($50-100), and ensure compliance with fire safety codes and occupancy limits typically set at 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests. Find a suitable property in Kempsville's residential neighborhoods, focusing on areas near Town Center or close to Virginia Beach attractions, with properties typically ranging $200,000-400,000 for single-family homes. Furnish the space with quality basics including comfortable beds, linens, kitchen essentials, WiFi, and local amenities information, budgeting $5,000-15,000 for initial furnishing. List your property on Airbnb and VRBO with professional photos highlighting proximity to Virginia Beach oceanfront (15 minutes), Norfolk Botanical Garden, and local dining, setting competitive rates around $80-150 per night based on seasonality. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests ($50-75 per turnover), responding promptly to inquiries, maintaining 24/7 guest communication, and considering property management companies like RedAwning or Vacasa if needed, while ensuring compliance with Virginia Beach's 10% transient occupancy tax and maintaining detailed records for tax purposes.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Kempsville, Virginia, focus on locations within 10-15 minutes of Norfolk Botanical Garden, Virginia Beach oceanfront, and Norfolk International Airport, as these drive consistent demand from tourists and business travelers. Target 3-4 bedroom single-family homes or townhouses built after 1990 with modern amenities, parking, and outdoor spaces, as families and groups prefer these features when visiting the Hampton Roads area. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify properties where potential STR revenue exceeds long-term rental income by at least 40%, typically finding sweet spots in the $200,000-$350,000 purchase range in Kempsville. Research competition by analyzing existing Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 3-mile radius, identifying gaps in amenities or pricing strategies, while noting that properties near recreational areas like Lake Whitehurst or with easy beach access command premium rates. Utilize tools like Rabbu, BiggerPockets calculators, and local MLS data through Virginia Beach/Norfolk area realtors, while connecting with property management companies like RedAwning or Vacasa who understand Kempsville's seasonal patterns and can provide market insights for maximizing occupancy rates year-round.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Kempsville, Virginia (which is part of Virginia Beach), you must apply through the Virginia Beach Department of Planning and Community Development by submitting a Conditional Use Permit application since short-term rentals require special approval in residential zones. Required documents include a completed CUP application form, site plan showing the property layout, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, floor plans indicating maximum occupancy, parking plan demonstrating adequate off-street parking, and a management plan detailing how the property will be operated and maintained. The application fee is approximately $1,500-$2,000 for the Conditional Use Permit process, plus additional fees for required inspections and business license registration. The timeline typically takes 3-6 months as the application must go through staff review, Planning Commission hearing, and potentially City Council approval depending on any objections. Specific Kempsville/Virginia Beach requirements include maintaining the property's residential character, providing one parking space per bedroom plus one additional space, ensuring no more than two unrelated adults per bedroom, implementing quiet hours from 10 PM to 8 AM, posting emergency contact information on-site, and obtaining annual business license renewal. You must also comply with fire safety inspections, health department requirements if serving food, and maintain liability insurance coverage of at least $1 million.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Kempsville, Virginia are generally legal but subject to Virginia Beach city regulations since Kempsville is located within Virginia Beach city limits. As of 2023, Virginia Beach allows STRs in residential areas but requires operators to obtain a conditional use permit (CUP) and business license, with properties limited to no more than two unrelated adults per bedroom plus two additional occupants. The city prohibits STRs in certain zoning districts and requires a minimum 400-foot separation between STR properties, along with mandatory registration, safety inspections, and compliance with fire codes. Recent changes in 2022-2023 have tightened enforcement and increased penalties for violations, while requiring more detailed application processes including neighborhood notification requirements. Properties must maintain off-street parking, noise restrictions are strictly enforced particularly between 10 PM and 7 AM, and operators face potential permit revocation for repeated violations or complaints from neighbors.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Kempsville, Virginia are the neighborhoods near Kempsville Greens Golf Club and the Princess Anne Country Club area, which attract golf tourism and weekend getaways year-round. The Kempsville Recreation Center vicinity offers strong potential due to sports tournaments and family events that draw visitors seeking nearby accommodations. Areas close to the Kempsville Road corridor, particularly near major shopping centers like Greenbrier Mall, benefit from business travelers and shoppers who prefer short-term rentals over hotels. The neighborhoods surrounding Lake Lawson and Lake Smith are highly attractive for nature tourism and fishing enthusiasts, especially during spring and summer months. Properties near the Norfolk Botanical Garden borders capture overflow tourism from this major attraction, while areas close to Norfolk International Airport provide excellent opportunities for airline crew accommodations and travelers with early flights. The residential areas near Kempsville High School and surrounding educational facilities can capitalize on visiting families during school events, graduations, and college visits, making these locations particularly profitable during academic calendar peaks.

In Kempsville, Virginia, Airbnb hosts are subject to Virginia's state transient occupancy tax of 5.3% on gross receipts from short-term rentals under 30 days, which is automatically collected by Airbnb and remitted to the Virginia Department of Taxation on behalf of hosts. Additionally, Virginia Beach (the city containing Kempsville) imposes a local transient occupancy tax of 7% that applies to all lodging accommodations including Airbnbs, bringing the total tax rate to approximately 12.3%. The local tax is also collected by Airbnb through their tax collection service and remitted directly to Virginia Beach's Department of Revenue on a monthly basis. Virginia Beach requires all short-term rental operators to obtain a business license and register with the city, though stays of 30 days or longer are generally exempt from transient occupancy taxes. Hosts must maintain records of all bookings and tax collections for at least three years, and while Airbnb handles most collection and remittance automatically, hosts remain ultimately responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable tax obligations and may need to file additional returns if operating outside of Airbnb's platform.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Kempsville, Virginia is approximately $285,000-$315,000. Property purchase costs around $250,000 based on median home prices in the Virginia Beach area where Kempsville is located. Furnishing a 3-bedroom property runs $15,000-$20,000 including beds, sofas, dining sets, appliances, linens, and décor. Initial setup costs $3,000-$4,000 covering professional photography, listing optimization, welcome materials, and basic supplies. Permits and fees total $500-$800 including business license, short-term rental permit, and zoning compliance. Insurance adds $2,000-$2,500 annually for landlord and short-term rental coverage. Utilities average $200-$300 monthly including electricity, water, internet, and cable. First six months operating costs reach $8,000-$12,000 covering utilities ($1,800), cleaning services ($2,400), maintenance ($1,500), platform fees ($1,800), marketing ($800), and miscellaneous expenses ($1,200). Additional considerations include property taxes around $2,500 annually and potential HOA fees of $100-$300 monthly depending on the neighborhood.

Airbnb properties in Kempsville, Virginia typically generate annual revenues between $18,000-$35,000 for entire homes and $8,000-$15,000 for private rooms, with average daily rates ranging from $65-$120 depending on property size and amenities. Operating expenses generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($25-$40 per turnover), utilities ($150-$250 monthly), property management (10-20% of revenue), insurance ($800-$1,200 annually), and maintenance costs ($2,000-$4,000 yearly). Net profit margins typically range from 15-35% for well-managed properties, with higher margins achieved through strategic pricing during peak seasons like summer beach visits to nearby Virginia Beach and military family relocations to Norfolk Naval Base. Success factors include proximity to major attractions within 30 minutes, professional photography, consistent 4.8+ star ratings, and targeting the steady demand from military personnel and contractors working at nearby bases. Properties within 2-3 miles of major thoroughfares like Indian River Road and close to shopping centers tend to outperform, with some hosts reporting 70-85% occupancy rates and monthly profits of $800-$2,200 after expenses, particularly those offering family-friendly amenities and flexible check-in options for military guests.

Based on Kempsville, Virginia market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-14% depending on property type and location within the area. Properties near Virginia Beach and Norfolk attractions tend to perform at the higher end of this range, while residential areas see more modest returns around 10-12% annually. Initial profitability usually occurs within 8-14 months after launch, with break-even on total investment typically achieved in 6-8 years. The market benefits from consistent demand due to proximity to military installations like Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia Beach tourism spillover, and business travelers to the Hampton Roads region. Average daily rates in Kempsville range from $85-140 depending on property size and amenities, with occupancy rates averaging 65-75% annually. Properties requiring minimal renovation show faster paths to profitability, often reaching positive cash flow within 6-10 months, while extensive rehabs may require 12-18 months to achieve consistent profitability.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market research, providing comprehensive data on short-term rental performance in Kempsville, Virginia. Local real estate agents specializing in investment properties include Keller Williams Realty agents who focus on the Virginia Beach metropolitan area, Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage agents with vacation rental expertise, and RE/MAX Alliance agents who understand the Norfolk-Virginia Beach tourism market. National services like Mashvisor (founded 2014) offer property analysis tools, while AirDNA provides market data and revenue projections for the Hampton Roads region. Local property management companies such as RedAwning and Vacasa have expanded into the Virginia Beach area to help investors manage their Airbnb properties. Real estate investment firms like Roofstock and BiggerPockets connect investors with turnkey rental properties, while local mortgage brokers specializing in investment properties include Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group and Townebank, both established Virginia-based lenders who understand the short-term rental market dynamics in the Chesapeake Bay region.