Is Leesburg, Ohio Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Leesburg, Ohio, begin by researching Highland County and Leesburg municipal regulations, as Ohio allows local jurisdictions to regulate short-term rentals - contact Leesburg Village Hall at (937) 780-7221 to verify if business licenses or special permits are required, and check with Highland County for any zoning restrictions or health department requirements. Obtain necessary permits which may include a business license from the village (typically $25-50 annually), ensure your property meets Ohio fire safety codes, and verify compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements if applicable. Find a suitable property by researching Leesburg's tourist attractions like Rocky Fork State Park and Paint Creek State Park to identify high-demand areas, consider properties near these outdoor recreation spots or historic downtown Leesburg, and ensure reliable internet access as rural Ohio can have connectivity challenges. Furnish your property with essential amenities including quality bedding, kitchen supplies, WiFi, heating/cooling systems suitable for Ohio's climate, and consider adding local touches like information about nearby Serpent Mound or Highland County attractions. List your property on Airbnb and VRBO platforms with professional photos highlighting proximity to state parks and small-town charm, set competitive pricing based on seasonal demand (higher during summer camping season), and create detailed descriptions mentioning nearby activities like fishing, hiking, and historic sites. Manage your Airbnb by establishing relationships with local cleaning services in Highland County, creating a guidebook with recommendations for restaurants in nearby Hillsboro or Chillicothe, implementing keyless entry systems, maintaining responsive communication with guests, and ensuring compliance with Ohio's 7% state sales tax and any local lodging taxes that Leesburg may impose.

To identify profitable STR properties in Leesburg, Ohio, focus on locations within 2-3 miles of Alum Creek State Park and Delaware State Park, as these drive significant seasonal tourism, particularly during summer months when occupancy rates can reach 75-85%. Target 3-4 bedroom single-family homes or lakefront cabins built after 1990 with modern amenities, outdoor spaces, and water access, as these command $150-250 per night compared to $80-120 for basic properties. Analyze pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against the 15-20 existing STRs in the area, noting that properties near Alum Creek Lake average 65% annual occupancy with $45,000-65,000 gross revenue potential. Research competition through Airbnb and VRBO searches within 10-mile radius, identifying gaps in luxury amenities or pet-friendly options that could justify 20-30% premium pricing. Utilize Delaware County property records, STRMarketData.com for local performance metrics, and connect with Leesburg-area real estate agents familiar with the vacation rental market, while ensuring compliance with Delaware County's short-term rental regulations established in 2019 that require permits and safety inspections.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Leesburg, Ohio, you must first contact the Leesburg Village Office at 937-780-7221 or visit them at 133 N Main Street to inquire about short-term rental regulations, as this small village may not have formal STR ordinances but will likely require a general business license. You'll need to submit a completed business license application, provide proof of property ownership or lease agreement, submit a site plan or property description, obtain liability insurance documentation (typically $1 million minimum), and pass any required safety inspections including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. The application fee is estimated at $50-150 annually, with potential additional inspection fees of $75-200. You may also need to register with Highland County for tax purposes and obtain an Ohio vendor's license through the Ohio Department of Taxation if collecting lodging taxes. The approval timeline is typically 2-4 weeks after submitting complete documentation, though initial inquiries and inspections may extend this to 6-8 weeks total. Leesburg likely requires compliance with residential zoning restrictions, parking requirements for guests, occupancy limits based on bedrooms and septic capacity, and adherence to noise ordinances, with some areas potentially restricting STRs to owner-occupied properties only.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Leesburg, Ohio are generally legal but subject to local zoning regulations and state requirements. As a small village in Highland County with approximately 1,200 residents, Leesburg does not appear to have specific STR ordinances as of 2024, meaning they typically fall under existing residential zoning rules and must comply with Ohio's general lodging regulations. Property owners must ensure compliance with state tax requirements, including collecting and remitting lodging taxes, and may need to obtain business licenses depending on the scale of operation. The village likely requires STRs to maintain residential character and comply with parking, noise, and occupancy standards typical of residential zones. Recent trends in Ohio have seen smaller municipalities like Leesburg taking a hands-off approach unless problems arise, though this could change as STR popularity grows. Property owners should verify current zoning compliance with Highland County and Leesburg officials, as rural communities sometimes have specific restrictions on commercial activities in residential areas that could affect STR operations.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Leesburg, Ohio include the historic downtown district near Main Street, which attracts visitors interested in small-town charm and antique shopping, and properties near Cowan Lake State Park (approximately 15 minutes away), which draws outdoor enthusiasts for camping, fishing, and boating activities year-round. The residential neighborhoods along State Route 73 offer good accessibility for business travelers visiting nearby Wilmington's industrial facilities and Clinton County government offices. Properties near the Paint Creek area provide scenic appeal for weekend getaway seekers from Cincinnati and Columbus, both within a 90-minute drive. The agricultural tourism sector is growing in Highland County, making rural properties with farm views attractive for visitors seeking agritourism experiences, particularly during harvest seasons and local festivals like the annual Corn Festival.

Airbnb properties in Leesburg, Ohio are subject to Ohio's state lodging tax of 5.75% on gross rental receipts, which applies to all transient accommodations including short-term rentals. Lake County, where Leesburg is located, imposes an additional 3% county lodging tax, bringing the total occupancy tax rate to approximately 8.75%. These taxes are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking through their automated tax collection system, which began operating in Ohio around 2019. Airbnb remits these taxes quarterly to the Ohio Department of Commerce and Lake County tax authorities on behalf of hosts. However, individual hosts remain responsible for registering with both state and county tax authorities and may need to file periodic returns even when Airbnb collects the taxes. Properties rented for 30 days or longer are generally exempt from these occupancy taxes as they're considered long-term rentals rather than transient accommodations. Some hosts may also need to collect and remit local municipal taxes if Leesburg has enacted its own lodging tax ordinance, though many smaller municipalities rely solely on county and state collections.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Leesburg, Ohio would be approximately $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase costs around $150,000-$180,000 based on median home prices in rural Ohio markets. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $8,000-$12,000 for beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and decor to create an appealing guest experience. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations total $2,000-$4,000. Permits and fees vary but expect $500-$1,500 for business licenses, short-term rental permits, and potential zoning approvals from Leesburg township. Insurance including landlord coverage and short-term rental protection runs $1,200-$2,000 annually. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, water, internet, and cable cost $500-$800. First six months operating expenses including utilities ($600/month), cleaning supplies ($100/month), maintenance reserves ($200/month), platform fees ($150/month), and marketing total approximately $6,300. Additional considerations include property taxes averaging $2,000-$3,000 annually and potential HOA fees if applicable.

Airbnb properties in Leesburg, Ohio typically generate annual revenues between $15,000-$35,000 for entire home listings, with average daily rates ranging from $80-$150 depending on property size and amenities. Operating expenses generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($30-50 per turnover), utilities ($150-250 monthly), property management (15-25% of revenue), insurance ($1,200-2,000 annually), and maintenance costs ($2,000-4,000 yearly). Profit margins typically range from 15-35% after all expenses, with successful properties achieving higher margins through strategic pricing during peak seasons like summer lake activities and fall foliage periods. Success factors in this rural Ohio market include proximity to Alum Creek State Park, competitive pricing against nearby Delaware and Columbus markets, professional photography showcasing outdoor amenities, and maintaining high cleanliness standards to achieve Superhost status. Properties with unique features like fire pits, hot tubs, or lake access command premium rates and achieve occupancy rates of 60-75% annually, while basic properties typically see 40-55% occupancy. The market benefits from weekend getaway demand from Columbus metropolitan area residents seeking rural retreats, with successful hosts reporting average monthly profits of $800-1,500 per property after establishing consistent booking patterns.

Airbnb investments in Leesburg, Ohio typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% based on the rural market dynamics and proximity to larger Ohio cities like Columbus (45 minutes away). Properties in the $150,000-$250,000 range can expect gross rental yields of 12-18% annually, with average nightly rates of $85-$120 depending on property size and amenities. After accounting for expenses including property management (20-25%), utilities, maintenance, and vacancy rates of 25-30%, net returns settle around 8-12%. Most investors achieve profitability within 18-24 months, with break-even typically occurring in months 12-18 due to seasonal demand fluctuations and the area's appeal to visitors exploring rural Ohio attractions and Delaware State Park nearby. The market benefits from limited hotel inventory and growing interest in rural getaways, though occupancy rates average 55-65% annually with stronger performance during summer months and fall foliage season.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties in Leesburg, Ohio, by providing data analytics and market insights. Local real estate agents in the Leesburg area who specialize in investment properties include agents from Coldwell Banker King Thompson, RE/MAX Stars Realty, and Century 21 Sunway Realty who understand the vacation rental market dynamics in this Ohio region. National services like AirDNA provide market data and revenue projections for Airbnb properties, while Mashvisor offers investment property analysis tools that can evaluate Leesburg properties for short-term rental potential. RedAwning and Vacasa offer property management services for investors who purchase Airbnb properties in the area, and companies like BiggerPockets connect investors with local real estate professionals experienced in vacation rental investments. Local property management companies such as Ohio Valley Property Management and regional firms like Buckeye Property Solutions can assist with the operational aspects of running Airbnb properties in Leesburg, while national platforms like Awning and AvantStay provide comprehensive investment and management services for short-term rental properties throughout Ohio.