Is La Barge, Wyoming Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in La Barge, Wyoming, begin by researching local zoning laws through Lincoln County Planning and Zoning Department, as La Barge falls under county jurisdiction rather than municipal regulations. Contact Lincoln County at (307) 877-9056 to verify short-term rental permissions in your specific zone, as rural areas may have fewer restrictions but still require compliance with county ordinances. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from Wyoming Secretary of State ($50-100), sales tax permit from Wyoming Department of Revenue for collecting lodging taxes (currently 4% state tax plus potential local taxes), and ensure compliance with fire safety codes through the local fire marshal. Find property by searching rural listings on platforms like LandWatch or working with local realtors familiar with La Barge's limited housing stock, focusing on properties with good road access year-round given Wyoming's harsh winters. Furnish the space with durable, weather-appropriate items including heavy-duty heating systems, backup power options, and outdoor gear storage, sourcing from retailers in nearby Kemmerer or online suppliers. List your property on Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com, emphasizing proximity to outdoor recreation like hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling, while highlighting the area's connection to the Oregon Trail and local gas industry workers needing temporary housing. Manage the property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services in Kemmerer (20 miles away), maintenance contractors familiar with rural properties, and consider property management companies in Jackson (100 miles) that service remote locations, while maintaining 24/7 communication systems since cell service can be spotty in the area.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in La Barge, Wyoming, focus on properties within 10-15 minutes of outdoor recreation access points like the Bridger-Teton National Forest and Green River, as this small town of approximately 400 residents primarily attracts hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Target 2-4 bedroom cabins or homes with rustic charm, modern amenities, outdoor spaces, and parking for boats/ATVs, priced between $150,000-$400,000 given Wyoming's relatively affordable real estate market. Analyze comparable nightly rates in nearby Jackson ($200-500/night) and Pinedale ($100-250/night) to estimate La Barge rates around $80-180/night, accounting for seasonal demand peaks during hunting seasons (September-November) and summer fishing months. Research competition through Airbnb and VRBO searches within a 30-mile radius, noting limited inventory likely means less competition but also smaller market demand. Utilize tools like AirDNA for market analysis, Mashvisor for investment property evaluation, and local resources including Lincoln County economic development data, Wyoming Game and Fish Department hunting/fishing reports for seasonal trends, and connect with Kemmerer-area real estate agents familiar with the region's recreational property market dynamics.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in La Barge, Wyoming, contact the Lincoln County Planning and Zoning Department at 307-877-9056 or visit their office at 925 Sage Avenue in Kemmerer, as La Barge falls under Lincoln County jurisdiction and likely requires a conditional use permit for short-term rentals. Submit a completed conditional use permit application along with a site plan showing the property layout, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, a business license application, proof of liability insurance (typically $1 million minimum), septic and water system certifications if applicable, and a parking plan showing adequate guest parking. The application fee is estimated at $200-400 for the conditional use permit plus approximately $50-100 for the business license. Required documents also include a floor plan indicating maximum occupancy, emergency contact information, and compliance with Wyoming fire safety codes. The timeline typically takes 30-60 days including a public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission. Specific La Barge/Lincoln County requirements likely include adherence to rural zoning setbacks, adequate septic capacity for increased usage, compliance with well water regulations if applicable, noise ordinance compliance, and potentially a limit on the number of guests or vehicles. Contact the Lincoln County Clerk's office for business license requirements and ensure compliance with Wyoming Department of Revenue tax registration for lodging facilities.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in La Barge, Wyoming, as the small unincorporated community in Lincoln County operates under Wyoming state law, which does not prohibit STRs at the state level. Lincoln County does not appear to have comprehensive STR regulations specifically targeting La Barge, allowing property owners to operate vacation rentals with basic compliance to standard lodging and tax requirements. The primary restrictions would involve standard zoning considerations, health and safety codes, and Wyoming's lodging tax obligations, with operators required to collect and remit state sales tax and any applicable local lodging taxes. There are no known prohibited areas specifically for STRs in La Barge, though properties must comply with any existing residential zoning restrictions and septic system requirements common in rural Wyoming communities. Recent legal changes have been minimal at the local level, with most regulatory activity occurring in larger Wyoming municipalities like Jackson and Teton County, while smaller communities like La Barge have maintained relatively permissive approaches to short-term rental operations, though operators should verify current Lincoln County zoning ordinances and state tax registration requirements.

La Barge, Wyoming, being a small town of approximately 500 residents in Lincoln County, offers limited but specific Airbnb investment opportunities primarily centered around the town's core residential area near Highway 189 and the historic downtown district along Pine Street. The most attractive investment areas include properties within walking distance of the Green River and those positioned between the town center and nearby recreational access points, as La Barge serves as a gateway community for outdoor enthusiasts heading to the Bridger-Teton National Forest, fishing the Green River system, and accessing hunting grounds in the surrounding high desert terrain. The area attracts seasonal hunters during fall months (September-November), summer fishing enthusiasts targeting the renowned Green River trout fishery, and winter snowmobilers exploring the extensive trail systems in Lincoln County. Business travelers occasionally visit due to the town's proximity to natural gas operations and energy sector activities in the region, though this represents a smaller market segment. Properties near the elementary school and community center on Center Street offer good accessibility, while those closer to Highway 189 provide convenient access for travelers passing through to Jackson Hole (approximately 100 miles north) or Flaming Gorge recreation areas, making La Barge an affordable alternative base for exploring southwestern Wyoming's outdoor recreation opportunities.

In La Barge, Wyoming, Airbnb hosts are subject to Wyoming's state lodging tax of 4% on gross receipts from short-term rental accommodations, which applies to rentals of less than 30 consecutive days. Lincoln County, where La Barge is located, imposes an additional 2% county lodging tax, bringing the total occupancy tax rate to approximately 6%. These taxes are typically collected directly from guests by Airbnb through their automated tax collection system, which began operating in Wyoming around 2019, and the platform remits payments quarterly to the Wyoming Department of Revenue and Lincoln County. Hosts who collect taxes independently must register with the Wyoming Department of Revenue, obtain a lodging tax license, and file monthly returns by the 20th of the following month, remitting collected taxes electronically through the state's online portal. Exemptions generally apply to rentals exceeding 30 consecutive days, accommodations provided to permanent residents, and certain government or charitable organization bookings, though hosts should verify current exemption criteria as regulations may have been updated since 2020-2023 when many Wyoming municipalities refined their short-term rental tax policies.

Starting an Airbnb in La Barge, Wyoming requires approximately $180,000-220,000 in total initial investment. Property purchase costs around $150,000-180,000 based on median home prices in rural Wyoming communities like La Barge. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property costs $8,000-12,000 including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and basic appliances. Initial setup expenses total $2,000-3,000 covering professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic renovations or repairs. Permits and fees range from $500-1,500 including business license, short-term rental permits from Lincoln County, and potential HOA approvals. Insurance costs $1,200-2,000 annually for short-term rental coverage through companies like Proper Insurance or CBIZ. Utility setup and deposits require $800-1,200 for electricity, water, sewer, internet, and cable services. First six months operating costs total $6,000-9,000 including utilities ($200-300/month), cleaning services ($75-100 per turnover), maintenance supplies ($100-200/month), platform fees to Airbnb and VRBO (3% of bookings), marketing expenses, and property management software subscriptions.

Airbnb properties in La Barge, Wyoming face challenging profitability conditions due to the town's small population of approximately 400 residents and limited tourist infrastructure, with average nightly rates ranging from $75-120 compared to Wyoming's statewide average of $150-200. Properties typically generate annual revenues of $8,000-15,000 with occupancy rates around 25-35%, significantly lower than the state average of 45-60%, while expenses including property taxes ($800-1,500 annually), utilities ($1,200-2,400), cleaning fees ($30-50 per turnover), and maintenance costs ($1,500-3,000) often consume 60-80% of gross revenue. The proximity to natural gas fields and hunting areas provides seasonal demand spikes during hunting season (September-November) and energy worker accommodations, but profit margins typically range from 10-25%, well below the national Airbnb average of 35-45%. Success factors include targeting energy workers with monthly stays, offering hunting lodge amenities, maintaining competitive pricing below $100/night, and marketing to visitors of nearby Fossil Butte National Monument, though most properties struggle to achieve consistent profitability without additional income streams or extremely low acquisition costs.

Airbnb investments in La Barge, Wyoming typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, primarily driven by seasonal tourism and outdoor recreation activities in the region. Properties in this small Wyoming community, with a population under 600, can expect to reach profitability within 18-24 months, assuming average nightly rates of $85-120 and occupancy rates of 45-60% annually. The market benefits from proximity to outdoor attractions and hunting/fishing activities, though investors should account for seasonal fluctuations with peak performance during summer months (June-September) and hunting seasons, while winter months may see occupancy drop to 20-30%. Initial investment costs are relatively low compared to major markets, with median property prices around $180,000-250,000, making the barrier to entry accessible for new investors seeking rural vacation rental opportunities.

STRSearch is a national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties across markets including La Barge, Wyoming. For this remote Wyoming market, national services like Awning, RedAwning, and Mashvisor provide market analysis and property identification tools for Airbnb investments. Local real estate agents such as those with Century 21, Coldwell Banker, and RE/MAX in nearby Rock Springs and Green River (approximately 30-45 minutes from La Barge) can assist with property acquisition, with agents like those at Sweetwater County real estate offices having knowledge of the area's seasonal tourism patterns related to hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation. Property management companies such as Vacasa and AvantStay operate in Wyoming markets and can handle remote properties, while local property managers in the greater Sweetwater County area may offer services for La Barge properties. Investment analysis platforms like AirDNA and AllTheRooms provide short-term rental market data for the region, and companies like Roofstock and Arrived Homes occasionally feature Wyoming investment properties, though availability in smaller markets like La Barge may be limited.