Is Killington, Vermont Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Killington, Vermont, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Killington Town Office, as the town requires short-term rental permits and has specific occupancy limits typically around 10-12 guests maximum. Contact the Vermont Department of Taxes to register for the 9% state rooms and meals tax, and check if Killington imposes additional local taxes (estimated 1-3%). Find a suitable property within designated zones that allow short-term rentals, focusing on areas near Killington Resort or access roads like Route 4 or Killington Road, with properties typically ranging from $300,000-$800,000 depending on size and location. Apply for necessary permits including a zoning permit from Killington Planning Commission, a business license, and ensure compliance with fire safety codes which may require smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and emergency egress plans. Furnish the property with ski-focused amenities including boot dryers, ski storage, hot tub if possible, high-quality linens, full kitchen equipment, and reliable WiFi, budgeting approximately $15,000-$30,000 for complete furnishing. Create listings on Airbnb, VRBO, and local Vermont rental sites with professional photography highlighting mountain views and ski access, setting competitive rates around $150-$400 per night depending on season and property size. Manage the property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services (typically $80-$150 per turnover), maintenance contractors familiar with winter weather challenges, and consider property management companies like Vacasa or local firms that charge 20-30% commission but handle guest communication, cleaning coordination, and maintenance issues year-round.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Killington, Vermont, focus on locations within 2-3 miles of Killington Resort and access road (Route 4), prioritizing ski-in/ski-out or shuttle-accessible properties with mountain views. Target 3-6 bedroom properties built after 1980 with modern amenities including hot tubs, fireplaces, updated kitchens, high-speed internet, and adequate parking for 6-8+ guests, as these command premium rates of $300-800+ per night during peak ski season (December-March) and $150-400 during summer months. Analyze comparable properties on Airbnb and VRBO within a 5-mile radius, studying their occupancy rates, seasonal pricing patterns, and guest reviews to identify gaps in the market, while researching local STR regulations through Killington Town Office and Vermont Department of Health for required permits. Utilize AirDNA for market analytics, STR Helper for revenue projections, and local property management companies like Killington Rental Associates or Green Mountain Vacation Rentals to understand operational costs, which typically run 25-35% of gross revenue including cleaning, maintenance, and management fees, ensuring properties can achieve 12-15% annual returns after expenses.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Killington, Vermont, you must first contact the Killington Town Office at 2706 River Road or call (802) 422-3241 to request a short-term rental application, as the town requires all properties rented for less than 30 days to obtain a permit. Required documents typically include a completed application form, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, floor plan showing maximum occupancy, septic system compliance certificate, water quality test results, fire safety inspection report, and liability insurance documentation with minimum $1 million coverage. The application fee is approximately $200-300 with annual renewal fees around $150-200, and you'll need to pay Vermont state rooms and meals tax registration fees of about $50. Submit your complete application to the Town Clerk's office and schedule required inspections with the fire department and health officer, which may take 2-4 weeks to complete. Killington-specific requirements include adherence to the town's noise ordinance, providing adequate parking spaces (typically 2 per unit), maintaining septic systems to handle increased usage, ensuring compliance with zoning regulations in your specific district, and registering with Vermont Department of Taxes for rooms and meals tax collection. The entire process typically takes 6-8 weeks from application submission to permit approval, and you must display your permit number in all rental listings and maintain guest registries as required by state law.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in Killington, Vermont, but operate under specific municipal regulations that the town has implemented to balance tourism revenue with community housing concerns. As of 2023, Killington requires STR operators to obtain permits and comply with safety standards, zoning requirements, and occupancy limits, with properties typically restricted to no more than 10-12 guests depending on the specific zoning district. The town prohibits STRs in certain residential areas to preserve neighborhood character and has implemented a cap on the total number of STR permits available, particularly in densely populated areas near the ski resort. Recent changes include stricter enforcement of noise ordinances, mandatory inspections, and increased permit fees, with the town conducting regular reviews of its STR policies due to ongoing concerns about housing availability for year-round residents and seasonal workers who support the ski industry and local businesses.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Killington, Vermont are the Killington Access Road corridor, which offers prime proximity to Killington Resort's base lodges and attracts heavy ski traffic from December through April, plus summer mountain bikers and hikers. The Snowshed area near the main base lodge is particularly lucrative due to its convenience for skiers and hosts major events like summer concerts and festivals. The Ramshead area provides excellent access to both skiing and the Killington Golf Course, appealing to year-round visitors. Properties near the K-1 Express Gondola base see consistent demand from skiers seeking slope-side convenience. The Route 4 corridor toward Mendon offers slightly lower property costs while maintaining easy resort access and attracts visitors to nearby Pico Mountain. The Killington Village area, though smaller, provides a more intimate mountain town experience that appeals to families and groups seeking authentic Vermont charm. These locations benefit from Killington's position as the largest ski resort in Vermont, hosting major events like the World Cup skiing competitions, extensive summer mountain biking programs, and the popular Killington Music Festival, ensuring strong occupancy rates across multiple seasons.

In Killington, Vermont, Airbnb properties are subject to multiple lodging taxes including Vermont's statewide 9% rooms and meals tax, which applies to all short-term rentals under 30 days, and Killington's local option tax of 1% on lodging, bringing the total occupancy tax rate to approximately 10%. These taxes are collected either directly by Airbnb through their automatic tax collection service for participating jurisdictions or must be collected by hosts themselves and remitted to the Vermont Department of Taxes monthly if gross receipts exceed $500 annually, with payments due by the 25th of the following month using Form RT-381. Hosts must register for a Vermont Business Tax Account and obtain a rooms and meals tax license before collecting taxes, and are required to maintain detailed records of all transactions. Exemptions typically include stays of 30 days or longer which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient lodging, and certain stays by permanent residents, though most standard Airbnb bookings will be subject to the full tax rate with collection and remittance handled either automatically through Airbnb's system or manually by the host depending on the platform's agreement with local tax authorities.

Starting an Airbnb in Killington, Vermont requires significant upfront investment with property purchase being the largest expense at approximately $650,000 for a median 3-bedroom ski-area home suitable for short-term rentals. Furnishing costs typically range $25,000-35,000 to create an attractive, fully-equipped rental including furniture, appliances, linens, kitchenware, and ski-themed decor. Initial setup expenses include professional photography ($500), listing creation, welcome materials, and basic supplies totaling around $2,000. Permits and fees vary but expect $500-1,500 for short-term rental permits, business licenses, and potential homeowner association approvals. Insurance costs approximately $3,000-4,000 annually for specialized short-term rental coverage beyond standard homeowner's insurance. Utilities including electricity, heating (crucial for Vermont winters), water, internet, and cable average $400-600 monthly. First six months operating costs encompass utilities ($2,400-3,600), cleaning services between guests ($150 per turnover, roughly $3,600 assuming 24 bookings), maintenance and supplies ($1,500), platform fees to Airbnb/VRBO (3% of gross bookings, approximately $2,400 on $80,000 revenue), and marketing expenses ($1,000), totaling approximately $11,000-12,000. The complete startup investment ranges $692,000-706,000, though this can vary significantly based on property size, location within Killington, and luxury level of furnishings and amenities provided.

Airbnb properties in Killington, Vermont demonstrate strong profitability potential, particularly during peak ski season (December-March) when nightly rates can reach $300-500 for well-positioned properties near Killington Resort. A typical 3-bedroom ski chalet averaging $350/night with 60% annual occupancy generates approximately $76,650 in gross revenue, while operating expenses including mortgage ($2,400/month), property management (15-20%), cleaning fees ($100 per turnover), utilities ($300/month), insurance ($200/month), and maintenance ($3,000 annually) total roughly $45,000-50,000, yielding net profit margins of 35-40%. Success factors include proximity to ski lifts (properties within 2 miles command 25% premium), hot tubs and ski storage amenities, professional photography, and dynamic pricing strategies that capitalize on holiday weekends when rates can exceed $600/night. Properties like luxury condos at Bear Mountain or Sunrise Village consistently achieve higher occupancy rates (70-80%) due to ski-in/ski-out access, while summer months (June-September) maintain moderate demand at $150-250/night for hiking and mountain biking tourists. The market benefits from Killington's extended ski season and year-round outdoor recreation, with successful hosts reporting annual returns of 8-12% on investment after accounting for property appreciation in this established resort community.

Airbnb investments in Killington, Vermont typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% due to the area's strong ski tourism market, with properties near Killington Resort commanding premium rates of $200-400 per night during peak winter season (December-March) and $150-250 during summer months. Cash-on-cash returns generally range from 8-14% annually, with higher-end ski-in/ski-out properties achieving the upper range, while standard vacation rentals in town average 10-12%. Most investors reach profitability within 18-24 months, assuming a 20-25% down payment on properties ranging from $400,000-800,000, with occupancy rates typically hitting 65-75% annually driven by Killington's 200+ ski days and summer outdoor recreation activities. Properties within 2 miles of the resort base lodge consistently outperform the market, with some luxury chalets reporting ROI as high as 22% during strong snow years, while the combination of Vermont's favorable short-term rental regulations and Killington's established tourism infrastructure supports sustainable long-term returns for well-positioned properties.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental investment opportunities in Killington, Vermont, using data analytics to evaluate potential Airbnb returns. Local real estate agents serving the Killington market include Pall Spera Company Realtors, Killington Pico Realty, and Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman Realty, who have extensive knowledge of ski resort property investments. National services like Awning, RedAwning, and AirDNA provide market analysis and property management solutions for Airbnb investors in Vermont ski towns. Mashvisor offers investment property analysis tools specifically for short-term rental markets, while companies like Vacasa and RedAwning provide full-service property management for Airbnb investments in the Killington area. Local property management companies such as Killington Resort Rentals and Summit Vacation Rentals specialize in managing short-term rental properties for investors. Investment-focused real estate companies like Roofstock and Arrived Homes have expanded into vacation rental markets, though their Vermont presence varies. Additionally, local mortgage brokers like Union Bank and Community Bank N.A. offer specialized financing for investment properties in Vermont's resort communities.