Is Mansfield, Ohio Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Mansfield, Ohio, begin by researching local regulations through the Mansfield Planning Department and Richland County Health Department, as the city typically requires short-term rentals to comply with zoning ordinances and may need special permits or business licenses around $50-100 annually. Contact the Building Safety Division at (419) 755-9691 to verify if your property needs inspections or certificates of occupancy for commercial use. Find a suitable property in residential zones that allow short-term rentals, focusing on areas near downtown Mansfield or close to attractions like Kingwood Center Gardens, with average property costs ranging $80,000-150,000 for suitable homes. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from the City Clerk's office, potential zoning compliance certificates, and ensure fire safety inspections if required, typically costing $200-500 total. Furnish the property with essential amenities including Wi-Fi, linens, kitchen supplies, and safety equipment like smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, budgeting $5,000-15,000 for complete furnishing. List your property on Airbnb and VRBO platforms with professional photos highlighting proximity to local attractions like the Renaissance Theatre and Richland Carrousel Park, setting competitive rates around $75-125 per night based on local market analysis. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, responding promptly to inquiries, coordinating key exchanges, and maintaining compliance with Ohio's 7% sales tax collection requirements for short-term rentals while keeping detailed records for tax purposes.

To identify profitable STR properties in Mansfield, Ohio, focus on locations within 2-3 miles of Richland County Fairgrounds, downtown Mansfield's historic district, and near major employers like OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital and AK Steel. Target 3-4 bedroom single-family homes or duplexes built after 1950 with updated kitchens, multiple bathrooms, parking, and outdoor spaces, as these appeal to families visiting for events, business travelers, and tourists exploring nearby Mohican State Park. Analyze pricing by researching comparable Airbnb listings in the $80-150 nightly range, calculating potential monthly revenue against mortgage, utilities, cleaning, and maintenance costs while maintaining 60-70% occupancy rates. Study competition using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify gaps in amenities or underserved areas, particularly properties lacking modern furnishings or poor photography. Leverage tools like Rabbu, BiggerPockets calculators, and local MLS data through Zillow and Realtor.com, while connecting with Mansfield-Richland County Convention & Visitors Bureau for tourism insights and monitoring seasonal demand patterns around Ohio State Reformatory tours, Renaissance Theatre events, and county fair periods to optimize pricing strategies.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Mansfield, Ohio, you must first contact the Mansfield Building Department at City Hall located at 30 North Diamond Street to determine if short-term rentals are permitted in your zoning district, as the city requires compliance with local zoning ordinances. Submit an application for a business license through the City of Mansfield's licensing department, providing required documents including proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of insurance with minimum $1 million liability coverage, floor plan of the rental unit, contact information for a local property manager if you live more than 50 miles away, and completed safety inspection checklist. Pay the estimated application fee of $150-250 and schedule required inspections with the fire department and building department to ensure compliance with fire safety codes, occupancy limits, and building standards. The approval process typically takes 4-6 weeks from submission of complete application materials, during which time the city will review zoning compliance, conduct safety inspections, and verify all documentation. Once approved, you must display your permit number in all online listings, maintain current insurance coverage, provide emergency contact information to neighbors, ensure adequate parking for guests, and comply with noise ordinances and occupancy limits as specified in your permit conditions.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Mansfield, Ohio, but operate under local zoning regulations and licensing requirements established by the city. The city requires STR operators to obtain proper permits and comply with safety standards, including fire safety inspections and occupancy limits. STRs are typically restricted in certain residential zones, particularly R-1 single-family districts, while being more permissible in mixed-use and commercial areas. Property owners must register their rentals with the city, maintain liability insurance, and ensure compliance with parking requirements and noise ordinances. Recent changes around 2022-2023 have included stricter enforcement of existing regulations and enhanced registration processes, with the city focusing on balancing neighborhood character preservation with economic opportunities. Violations can result in fines and permit revocation, and operators must also comply with state tax collection requirements for lodging services.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Mansfield, Ohio include the downtown historic district near Central Park and the Carousel District, which attracts tourists visiting the historic Richland Carrousel Park and attending events at the Renaissance Theatre. The Kingwood Center Gardens area is highly desirable due to its proximity to the 47-acre estate and gardens that draw visitors year-round for weddings and events. The Ohio State Reformatory neighborhood capitalizes on film tourism from "The Shawshank Redemption" movie location and paranormal tours, generating consistent bookings from movie fans and ghost hunters. Areas near Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport serve business travelers and aviation enthusiasts, while properties close to the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in nearby Lexington benefit from racing events and motorsports tourism throughout the racing season. The Mansfield University area, though the campus closed in 2002, still has residual appeal near the former campus grounds, and neighborhoods around Kingwood Hospital and OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital attract medical travelers and visiting families.

In Mansfield, Ohio, Airbnb hosts are subject to both state and local lodging taxes. The state of Ohio imposes a 5.75% lodging tax on short-term rentals, which applies to stays of less than 30 consecutive days. Richland County, where Mansfield is located, typically adds a local lodging tax of approximately 3-4%, bringing the total tax rate to around 8.75-9.75%. These taxes are collected either directly by Airbnb through their automated tax collection service for participating jurisdictions, or must be collected by hosts from guests and remitted quarterly to the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Liquor Control for state taxes and to Richland County for local taxes. Hosts must register with both state and local authorities, obtain the necessary permits, and file returns even if no tax is owed. Exemptions generally apply to stays of 30 days or longer, certain government employees on official business, and in some cases, stays by permanent residents. The City of Mansfield may also impose additional municipal lodging taxes of 1-2%, and hosts should verify current rates and collection procedures with local tax authorities as these can change and Airbnb's automatic collection may not cover all applicable taxes.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Mansfield, Ohio would be approximately $125,000-$140,000. Property purchase costs around $85,000-$95,000 based on median home prices in the area as of 2023-2024. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property would require $8,000-$12,000 for essential furniture, bedding, kitchen supplies, and decor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations would be $2,000-$3,500. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and inspection fees would total $500-$800. Insurance for short-term rental coverage would cost $1,200-$1,800 annually. Utility deposits and connections for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable would be $800-$1,200. First six months of operating costs including utilities ($900-$1,200), cleaning services ($1,800-$2,400), maintenance and supplies ($600-$900), platform fees at 3% of estimated revenue ($1,500-$2,100), and marketing expenses ($300-$500) would total approximately $5,100-$7,100.

Airbnb properties in Mansfield, Ohio typically generate modest profitability with average daily rates ranging from $65-85 and occupancy rates around 45-60% annually, resulting in gross revenues of $10,000-18,000 per year for a typical 2-3 bedroom property. Operating expenses including cleaning fees ($25-35 per turnover), utilities ($150-200 monthly), property management (15-25% of revenue), insurance ($800-1,200 annually), and maintenance costs typically consume 40-55% of gross revenue, leaving net profit margins between 20-35%. Success factors in this mid-sized Ohio market include proximity to Richland County attractions, competitive pricing below Columbus and Cleveland markets, professional photography, and maintaining 4.5+ star ratings. Properties near Kingwood Center Gardens and downtown Mansfield perform better, with some hosts like those operating renovated Victorian homes reporting annual profits of $6,000-12,000 after expenses. The market benefits from business travelers to local manufacturers like AK Steel and weekend visitors to nearby Mohican State Park, though seasonal fluctuations require hosts to optimize pricing strategies and consider long-term rental conversions during slower winter months to maintain year-round profitability.

Airbnb investments in Mansfield, Ohio typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% based on current market conditions. Properties in downtown Mansfield near Richland County attractions and Ohio State Mansfield campus command average daily rates of $75-95, with occupancy rates around 65-75% annually. Initial investment recovery and profitability generally occurs within 18-24 months for well-positioned properties, with total acquisition costs averaging $80,000-120,000 for suitable 2-3 bedroom homes. The market benefits from proximity to Mohican State Park, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course events, and business travelers, supporting consistent demand. Operating expenses typically consume 35-45% of gross rental income, including cleaning, maintenance, utilities, and platform fees, while property appreciation adds 2-4% annually to overall returns in the Mansfield market.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties in Mansfield, Ohio, using data analytics to evaluate potential returns. Local real estate agents in Mansfield who specialize in investment properties include Keller Williams agents focusing on rental properties, Coldwell Banker Realty professionals with STR experience, and independent agents from RE/MAX who understand the local vacation rental market. National services like Awning (founded 2017), RedAwning, and AirDNA provide market analysis and property identification services for Mansfield's emerging short-term rental market. Local property management companies such as Mansfield Property Solutions and Ohio Valley Property Management offer turnkey Airbnb setup services, while national companies like AvantStay and Vacasa provide end-to-end investment and management solutions. Real estate investment firms like Roofstock and Arrived Homes occasionally feature Mansfield properties, and local mortgage brokers specializing in investment properties include First Federal Bank of the Midwest and Park National Bank, which offer financing specifically for short-term rental investments in the Mansfield area.