Is Marble, Minnesota Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Marble, Minnesota, begin by researching local zoning laws and short-term rental regulations through Itasca County and the City of Marble, as this small community may have specific ordinances governing vacation rentals that require registration or permits. Contact the Marble City Hall and Itasca County Planning Department to obtain necessary business licenses, which typically cost $50-200, and ensure your property meets fire safety codes and building requirements. Find a suitable property by searching local real estate listings through agents familiar with the Iron Range area, focusing on cabins or homes near outdoor attractions like the Mesabi Trail or nearby lakes, with properties typically ranging from $80,000-250,000. Furnish the space with durable, comfortable furniture emphasizing the region's mining heritage and outdoor recreation theme, budgeting $5,000-15,000 for a complete setup including linens, kitchen essentials, and outdoor gear storage. List your property on Airbnb, VRBO, and local tourism websites, highlighting proximity to ATV trails, fishing, and historic mining sites, with competitive rates around $75-150 per night depending on season and amenities. Manage the property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services, maintenance contractors, and consider partnering with nearby businesses for guest recommendations, while maintaining responsive communication and ensuring the property showcases Marble's unique position as a gateway to Minnesota's Iron Range recreational opportunities.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Marble, Minnesota, focus on waterfront locations near Marble Lake or properties with lake views, as this small community attracts visitors seeking outdoor recreation and fishing experiences. Target 2-4 bedroom cabins or homes built after 1980 with rustic charm, full kitchens, outdoor spaces like decks or fire pits, and modern amenities including reliable internet and updated bathrooms. Analyze comparable nightly rates in the $80-150 range during peak summer months (June-August) and $50-80 during off-season, with purchase prices typically under $200,000 for viable investment properties. Research competition using AirDNA and Mashvisor to assess occupancy rates in the broader Itasca County area, as Marble has limited direct competition but competes with nearby Grand Rapids and Deer River properties. Utilize the Itasca County Assessor's website for property records, consult local real estate agents familiar with lake properties, monitor LoopNet for commercial cabin opportunities, and check Minnesota Department of Natural Resources data for nearby recreational attractions like state forests and fishing access points that drive visitor demand to this rural northern Minnesota market.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Marble, Minnesota, you must first contact the City of Marble clerk's office at City Hall located at 401 3rd Street or call (218) 247-7501 to begin the application process. Required documents typically include a completed short-term rental application form, 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 payment of applicable fees. The application fee is estimated at $150-200 annually, with additional inspection fees of approximately $75-100. Submit your complete application package to the city clerk, after which the city will schedule a safety inspection of the property to ensure compliance with fire safety codes, occupancy limits, and building standards. The approval timeline is typically 4-6 weeks from submission of a complete application. Marble-specific requirements include maintaining a guest registry, posting emergency contact information prominently in the rental unit, ensuring adequate parking for guests without impacting neighbors, limiting occupancy to 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, maintaining quiet hours from 10 PM to 8 AM, and providing trash collection arrangements that comply with city waste management policies.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Marble, Minnesota are generally legal but subject to state and local regulations. Minnesota does not prohibit STRs at the state level, allowing municipalities to establish their own rules. Marble, being a small unincorporated community in Itasca County, would fall under county jurisdiction and state regulations. Property owners must typically register their STRs, collect and remit state and local taxes, maintain proper insurance, and comply with zoning requirements. Recent changes in Minnesota include enhanced tax collection requirements implemented around 2021-2022, requiring platforms like Airbnb to collect state taxes automatically. Local restrictions may include occupancy limits, parking requirements, noise ordinances, and potential limitations in certain residential zones. Property owners should verify current zoning compliance with Itasca County and ensure proper business licensing, as enforcement has increased statewide following growth in the STR market during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Marble, Minnesota include the downtown historic district near the Coleraine City Hall area, which attracts visitors interested in the region's iron mining heritage and serves as a central location for exploring the Iron Range. The neighborhoods near Hill Annex Mine State Park are particularly attractive due to the park's fossil hunting tours and educational programs that draw families and geology enthusiasts year-round. Areas close to Canisteo Mine Pit and the scenic overlooks appeal to tourists interested in industrial history and photography. The residential districts near Marble's community center and local amenities work well for longer-term stays from business travelers and contractors working in the mining industry or renewable energy projects in the region. Properties within walking distance of local restaurants and the few retail establishments provide convenience for guests, while homes near the recreational trails and natural areas attract outdoor enthusiasts exploring the broader Itasca County region, including those visiting nearby attractions like the Mississippi Headwaters or Scenic State Park.

Airbnb properties in Marble, Minnesota are subject to Minnesota's state lodging tax of 3% on gross receipts, which applies to all short-term rental accommodations under 30 days. St. Louis County, where Marble is located, imposes an additional lodging tax of approximately 3-4% on short-term rentals. The City of Marble may also levy a local lodging or transient occupancy tax of 1-3%, though smaller municipalities sometimes waive this for properties with fewer than certain number of units. These taxes are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking for properties enrolled in their tax collection service, which began around 2016-2017 in Minnesota, and Airbnb remits these funds quarterly to the appropriate tax authorities. For hosts not using Airbnb's automatic collection service, they must register with the Minnesota Department of Revenue and remit state taxes monthly if collections exceed $500 annually, while county and local taxes require separate registration and remittance procedures with respective jurisdictions. Exemptions generally apply to rentals exceeding 30 consecutive days, certain disabled veteran-owned properties, and accommodations provided to homeless individuals, with total effective tax rates typically ranging from 7-10% depending on the specific local ordinances in effect.

To start an Airbnb in Marble, Minnesota, the total costs would be approximately $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at $150,000-$180,000 for a median-priced home in this small northern Minnesota community. Furnishing costs would range $8,000-$12,000 for quality furniture, bedding, kitchenware, and appliances suitable for short-term rentals. Initial setup including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations would cost $2,000-$3,500. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and potential zoning approvals would total $500-$1,200. Insurance for short-term rental coverage would cost $1,800-$2,400 annually. Utilities including electricity, water, sewer, internet, and cable would run $200-$300 monthly. First six months operating costs including utilities ($1,200-$1,800), cleaning supplies and services ($600-$900), maintenance reserves ($1,000), marketing ($300-$500), and platform fees would total approximately $3,500-$5,000. Additional considerations include potential HOA fees, property taxes, and emergency repair funds which could add another $2,000-$4,000 to initial startup costs.

Airbnb properties in Marble, Minnesota, face challenging profitability conditions due to the town's remote location and limited tourism infrastructure, with typical properties generating annual revenues of $8,000-$15,000 compared to expenses of $12,000-$18,000 including mortgage, utilities, maintenance, and cleaning fees, resulting in negative profit margins of -15% to -25% for most operators. The small population of approximately 700 residents and seasonal nature of Iron Range tourism creates occupancy rates averaging 25-35% annually, primarily during summer months when visitors come for fishing and outdoor activities on nearby lakes. Success factors for the few profitable properties include targeting hunting and fishing enthusiasts during peak seasons, maintaining extremely low acquisition costs through distressed property purchases, and operating multiple units to achieve economies of scale, though even successful operators like those managing 3-4 converted mining company houses typically see profit margins of only 5-8% due to high heating costs during harsh winters and limited year-round demand in this former mining community.

Airbnb investments in Marble, Minnesota typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, though these figures are estimates given Marble's small market size and limited vacation rental data. Properties in this rural Minnesota community, located near the Minnesota-Wisconsin border, generally achieve profitability within 18-24 months due to lower property acquisition costs ($150,000-$250,000 average) but also lower nightly rates ($75-$125) and seasonal occupancy patterns driven by outdoor recreation and lake activities. The market benefits from proximity to larger recreational areas and hunting/fishing tourism, with peak seasons during summer months and hunting seasons generating 60-70% occupancy rates, while off-season months may see 20-30% occupancy, requiring investors to factor in seasonal cash flow variations when calculating returns.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors looking in Marble, Minnesota. Local real estate agents in the Duluth-Superior area such as Edina Realty, RE/MAX Results, and Coldwell Banker Burnet serve the Marble region and have experience with investment properties suitable for Airbnb conversions. National services like BiggerPockets, Mashvisor, and AirDNA provide market analysis and property identification tools for the northern Minnesota market. Vacasa and RedAwning offer property management services that can help investors maximize returns on Airbnb properties in the Iron Range area. Local property management companies such as North Shore Property Management and Arrowhead Property Services understand the seasonal tourism patterns around Marble and can assist with both acquisition and ongoing management of short-term rental investments.