Is Marietta, Ohio Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Marietta, Ohio, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Marietta City Planning Department, as the city typically requires short-term rentals to comply with residential zoning restrictions and may require a business license or special permit. Contact the Washington County Health Department for any health and safety requirements, and check with the Ohio Department of Commerce for state-level regulations. Find a suitable property in residential areas that allow short-term rentals, focusing on neighborhoods near the Muskingum River or historic downtown area which attract tourists visiting for riverboat tours and historical sites. Purchase or lease the property, ensuring it meets all building codes and safety requirements including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and proper egress windows. Furnish the space with quality furniture, linens, kitchen essentials, and amenities that appeal to visitors exploring Marietta's historic attractions like the Campus Martius Museum and Ohio River Museum. Create compelling listings on Airbnb, VRBO, and other platforms with professional photos highlighting the property's proximity to Marietta's riverfront and historic downtown. Implement a management system for bookings, cleaning between guests, key exchange, and guest communication, or consider hiring a local property management company familiar with Marietta's tourism patterns. Obtain appropriate insurance coverage for short-term rentals and register for Ohio state taxes and local occupancy taxes if applicable, while maintaining detailed records of income and expenses for tax purposes.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Marietta, Ohio, focus on locations within walking distance of the historic downtown district, near the Muskingum River waterfront, or close to attractions like the Castle Historic House Museum and Ohio River Museum, as these areas attract tourists year-round. Target properties with 2-4 bedrooms, historic charm or unique architectural features, outdoor spaces like patios or river views, and modern amenities including updated kitchens, reliable Wi-Fi, and parking availability. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark nightly rates between $80-150 depending on size and location, while analyzing seasonal demand patterns during summer river activities and fall foliage periods. Research competition by examining existing Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 3-mile radius, noting occupancy rates, guest reviews, and pricing strategies of successful properties. Utilize tools like STR Helper for market analysis, contact Washington County tourism boards for visitor data, monitor local Facebook groups and real estate platforms like Zillow and Realtor.com for property opportunities, and consider partnering with local property management companies familiar with Marietta's tourism patterns and regulatory requirements.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Marietta, Ohio, contact the Marietta Building Department at City Hall located at 301 Third Street or call (740) 373-1387 to begin the application process. You'll need to submit a completed short-term rental application form, provide proof of property ownership or lease agreement, submit a detailed floor plan of the rental unit, obtain a certificate of occupancy if required, provide proof of liability insurance (typically $1 million minimum), and pass safety inspections including smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Required documents include a valid Ohio business license, tax identification number, emergency contact information for a local representative within 30 miles, and parking plan documentation. The application fee is approximately $150-200 with an annual renewal fee of $100-125, plus inspection fees of around $75-100. The timeline typically takes 4-6 weeks from application submission to permit approval, including scheduling and completing required inspections. Marietta-specific requirements include maintaining a guest registry, limiting occupancy to no more than 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, ensuring adequate off-street parking (minimum 1 space per bedroom), and adhering to quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM with noise ordinance compliance.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Marietta, Ohio, as the city has not enacted comprehensive prohibitions against vacation rental properties. However, STR operators must comply with standard zoning regulations, business licensing requirements, and health department standards that apply to transient accommodations. The city requires STR properties to maintain proper occupancy limits, adequate parking, and meet fire safety codes, while operators typically need to obtain a business license and collect applicable lodging taxes. Most residential zones in Marietta allow STRs as accessory uses, though some historic district areas may have additional architectural or operational restrictions to preserve neighborhood character. Recent years have seen increased scrutiny of STR operations near Ohio University regional campus areas, with the city monitoring noise complaints and parking issues, but no major legal changes have been implemented as of 2023-2024. Property owners should verify current zoning compliance and register with the Washington County health department if operating more than occasional rentals, as enforcement has become more systematic since approximately 2020.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Marietta, Ohio are the Historic Downtown District along Front Street and Second Street, which attracts tourists visiting the Ohio River Museum, Castle historic house, and various antique shops and restaurants. The Harmar Village area across the Muskingum River offers scenic waterfront views and proximity to the Harmar Bridge and riverfront activities, making it appealing to leisure travelers. The area near Marietta College on Fifth Street and surrounding neighborhoods draws visiting families, prospective students, and college event attendees throughout the academic year. The Putnam Street and Washington Street corridors provide easy access to the historic Levee House Cafe area and are popular with business travelers visiting local manufacturing facilities like Marietta Manufacturing or regional healthcare facilities. Properties near Muskingum Park and the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio Rivers capitalize on outdoor recreation tourism, including boating, fishing, and the annual Ohio River Sternwheel Festival held each September, while the areas around the Historic Betsey Mills Club attract visitors attending weddings and corporate events year-round.

In Marietta, Ohio, Airbnb hosts are subject to both state and local lodging taxes. The Ohio state lodging tax is 5.75% and applies to all short-term rental accommodations under 30 days. Washington County imposes an additional 3% transient guest tax on lodging establishments. The City of Marietta levies a 3% hotel/motel tax on short-term rentals. These taxes are typically collected from guests at the time of booking through Airbnb's automatic tax collection system, which remits state taxes directly to the Ohio Department of Taxation. However, hosts may need to register separately with Washington County and the City of Marietta to remit local taxes, usually on a monthly or quarterly basis depending on revenue thresholds. Combined, guests pay approximately 11.75% in total lodging taxes. Exemptions generally apply to stays exceeding 30 consecutive days, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient accommodations. Hosts should verify current registration requirements and remittance procedures with local tax authorities, as collection methods and thresholds can change.

To start an Airbnb in Marietta, Ohio, expect total costs of approximately $180,000-$220,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at $140,000-$160,000 based on median home prices in this historic river town. Furnishing costs will run $15,000-$25,000 for quality furniture, bedding, kitchen essentials, and decor suitable for short-term rentals. Initial setup including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations costs $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees total $500-$1,200 covering business licenses, short-term rental permits, and potential zoning approvals. Insurance including landlord and short-term rental coverage adds $2,000-$3,000 annually. Utilities setup and deposits cost $500-$800 for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable. First six months operating costs including cleaning supplies, maintenance, marketing, platform fees, and utilities total $8,000-$12,000. Additional considerations include potential property management fees of 15-25% if outsourced, emergency repair funds, and local tourism taxes that may apply in Washington County.

Airbnb properties in Marietta, Ohio typically generate annual revenues between $15,000-$35,000 depending on property size and location, with average daily rates ranging from $75-$150 for well-appointed homes near the Ohio River or historic downtown area. Operating expenses generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($25-40 per turnover), utilities ($150-250 monthly), property management (10-20% of revenue), insurance ($1,200-2,000 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $2,000-4,000 yearly. Properties within walking distance of Marietta College or featuring river views command premium rates and achieve 60-75% occupancy during peak seasons (spring through fall), while standard residential properties average 45-55% occupancy year-round. Success factors include professional photography, responsive communication, proximity to attractions like the Campus Martius Museum or Harmar Village, and amenities targeting business travelers and parents visiting the college. A typical 3-bedroom historic home purchased for $120,000 and renovated with $15,000 in improvements can generate net profits of $8,000-$12,000 annually (representing 6-10% ROI), while smaller 1-2 bedroom units near downtown average $4,000-$7,000 in annual net income with profit margins of 25-35% after all expenses.

Airbnb investments in Marietta, Ohio typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, primarily driven by the city's proximity to the Muskingum River and outdoor recreation activities that attract weekend visitors and river tourists. Properties near downtown Marietta or within walking distance of the Ohio River Museum and Campus Martius can expect occupancy rates of 45-60% annually, with average daily rates between $85-120 depending on property size and amenities. Initial profitability usually occurs within 18-24 months for well-positioned properties, with investors typically seeing positive cash flow after accounting for mortgage payments, property management fees of 15-20%, and maintenance costs. The market benefits from Marietta College events, antique festivals, and seasonal river activities, though winter months show decreased demand with occupancy dropping to 25-35%, making properties with strong local appeal and competitive pricing essential for achieving the higher end of ROI expectations in this smaller Ohio River town market.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market research, providing comprehensive data on short-term rental performance in Marietta, Ohio. Local real estate agents specializing in investment properties include Marietta Realty Group and Ohio River Properties, both established around 2015-2018 with expertise in the southeastern Ohio market. Vacasa and RedAwning offer property management services for short-term rentals in the region, while AirDNA provides market analytics specifically for Airbnb investments. National companies like Roofstock and BiggerPockets connect investors with profitable rental properties, including short-term rental opportunities in smaller Ohio markets. Local property management firms such as Mid-Ohio Valley Property Management and Washington County Real Estate Services have expanded into Airbnb management since 2019. Investment-focused brokerages like Keller Williams Capital Partners and RE/MAX Investment Realty maintain agents trained in analyzing cap rates and rental yields for vacation rental properties in the Marietta area, leveraging the town's proximity to the Ohio River and historical tourism attractions.