Is Marietta, South Carolina Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Marietta, South Carolina, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Marietta city clerk's office, as many small South Carolina municipalities require short-term rental permits and may have restrictions on residential areas. Contact Greenville County (which encompasses Marietta) for county-level requirements and obtain necessary business licenses, which typically cost $50-100 annually. Find a suitable property by searching local real estate listings or consider purchasing a home in residential neighborhoods near Lake Robinson or downtown areas, ensuring the property allows short-term rentals per HOA agreements if applicable. Furnish the space with quality basics including comfortable beds, linens, kitchen essentials, WiFi, and local amenities information, budgeting approximately $3,000-8,000 for a complete setup. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting the property's proximity to Greenville (20 minutes away), local attractions, and outdoor activities, setting competitive rates based on comparable properties in the $75-150 per night range. For ongoing management, establish cleaning protocols between guests, respond promptly to inquiries, maintain property insurance that covers short-term rentals, collect and remit South Carolina accommodations tax (currently 7% state tax plus local taxes), and consider hiring local cleaning services or property management companies if you live outside the area.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Marietta, South Carolina, focus on locations within 2-3 miles of Lake Robinson and downtown areas, as these attract both leisure and business travelers seeking waterfront activities and local amenities. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or condos built after 1990 with modern kitchens, outdoor spaces, parking, and lake views or access, as these features command premium nightly rates of $120-200 in the Marietta market. Conduct pricing analysis by researching comparable Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 5-mile radius, calculating potential gross rental yields of 8-12% annually while factoring in seasonal demand fluctuations between peak summer months and slower winter periods. Research competition by analyzing occupancy rates, guest reviews, and pricing strategies of existing STRs in Pelion, Swansea, and surrounding Lexington County areas to identify market gaps and optimal positioning. Utilize tools like AirDNA, Mashvisor, and STR analytics platforms to assess market performance, while leveraging local resources such as the Lexington County tourism board data, South Carolina Parks Recreation and Tourism statistics, and connecting with local real estate agents familiar with investment properties near Lake Robinson to identify emerging neighborhoods with strong rental potential before they become oversaturated.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Marietta, South Carolina, you must first contact the Greenville County Planning Department since Marietta falls under county jurisdiction, and apply through their zoning and permitting office located at 301 University Ridge, Greenville, SC 29601. Required documents typically include a completed short-term rental application, property deed or lease agreement, site plan showing parking and property layout, proof of liability insurance (minimum $1 million coverage), fire safety inspection certificate, and business license from South Carolina Department of Revenue. The application fee is approximately $150-200 with an additional $75 annual renewal fee, and you may need to pay for required inspections which cost around $100-150. The timeline for approval is generally 30-45 days from submission of complete application, though this can extend to 60 days if additional reviews are needed. Specific Marietta/Greenville County requirements include maintaining adequate off-street parking (typically 2 spaces minimum), ensuring the property meets residential zoning compliance, having a local contact person available 24/7 within 30 miles of the property, displaying the permit number in all advertisements, and adhering to occupancy limits based on septic system capacity and square footage (usually 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests).

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Marietta, South Carolina, but are subject to state and local regulations. As a small unincorporated community in Greenville County, Marietta falls under county jurisdiction rather than having its own municipal STR ordinances. Greenville County allows STRs but requires operators to obtain proper business licenses and comply with zoning restrictions, typically limiting them to areas zoned for commercial or mixed-use rather than purely residential neighborhoods. Properties must meet safety standards including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers, while operators must collect and remit state and local accommodation taxes. Recent changes in South Carolina around 2021-2022 have strengthened state oversight of STRs, requiring registration with the Department of Revenue and standardizing tax collection procedures. Some residential subdivisions or HOA-governed areas may have additional restrictions or prohibitions on STRs through private covenants, so property owners should verify both county zoning compliance and any homeowner association rules before operating an STR in Marietta.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Marietta, South Carolina include the Historic Downtown District, which attracts tourists interested in antebellum architecture and local festivals, particularly during the annual Marietta Heritage Festival and Christmas events. The Lakefront properties near Lake Robinson offer strong rental potential due to fishing, boating, and water recreation activities that draw visitors year-round. The Business District near Highway 276 provides opportunities for corporate travelers visiting local manufacturing facilities including companies like Milliken & Company and other textile operations in the greater Greenville-Spartanburg corridor. Properties near the Marietta City Park and Recreation areas perform well during youth sports tournaments and family gatherings, while homes within walking distance of local restaurants and the farmers market on Main Street appeal to visitors seeking authentic small-town experiences. The residential areas near Marietta Elementary and Middle Schools also show potential during school-related events and when families visit the area for relocations, with average occupancy rates estimated at 65-75% annually and nightly rates ranging from $80-150 depending on property size and amenities.

Airbnb properties in Marietta, South Carolina are subject to the state's 7% accommodations tax, which applies to all short-term rental stays of less than 90 consecutive days, collected by the South Carolina Department of Revenue. Additionally, properties may be subject to local accommodations taxes imposed by Oconee County, which typically range from 2-3% and are collected separately from state taxes. Hosts are required to register with the South Carolina Department of Revenue to obtain an accommodations tax license and must remit taxes monthly by the 20th of the following month using Form ST-8. Local county taxes are typically remitted quarterly to the county treasurer's office. The state tax applies to the gross proceeds from rentals, including cleaning fees and other charges, with limited exemptions for stays exceeding 90 days or rentals to permanent residents. Airbnb may collect and remit these taxes automatically for hosts in some cases through voluntary collection agreements, but hosts remain ultimately responsible for ensuring compliance and should verify that all applicable state and local taxes are being properly collected and remitted.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Marietta, South Carolina would be approximately $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase costs around $150,000 based on median home prices in the area as of 2023. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property typically runs $8,000-$12,000 including beds, sofas, dining sets, appliances, linens, and decor from retailers like IKEA, Wayfair, and local furniture stores. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations total $2,000-$3,500. Permits and fees vary by county but expect $500-$1,200 for business licenses, short-term rental permits, and inspections. Insurance premiums for short-term rental coverage through companies like Proper Insurance or CBIZ run $1,500-$2,500 annually. Utility deposits and connections for electricity, water, internet, and cable cost $800-$1,200. First six months of operating expenses including utilities ($150/month), cleaning services ($75 per turnover), property management software like Airbnb or VRBO fees (3% of bookings), maintenance reserves, and marketing total approximately $4,200-$6,000, assuming 60-70% occupancy rates typical for the South Carolina market.

Airbnb properties in Marietta, South Carolina typically generate annual revenues between $15,000-$35,000 for entire homes, with average daily rates ranging from $85-$150 depending on property size and amenities. Operating expenses generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($50-$80 per turnover), property management (15-25% of revenue), utilities ($150-$300 monthly), insurance ($1,200-$2,000 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $2,000-$4,000 yearly. Properties within 10 miles of Lake Murray command premium rates of $120-$180 nightly with occupancy rates of 65-75%, while those near Dreher Island State Park achieve 60-70% occupancy at $100-$140 nightly. A typical 3-bedroom lakefront property generating $28,000 annually faces approximately $16,000 in expenses, yielding a net profit margin of 35-45% or roughly $12,000. Success factors include proximity to water recreation, professional photography showcasing lake views, seasonal pricing strategies capitalizing on summer demand, and partnerships with local boat rental companies like Lake Murray Marina. Properties offering boat slips or water access consistently outperform inland alternatives by 25-40% in both occupancy and nightly rates, with some lakefront hosts reporting profit margins exceeding 50% during peak summer months from May through September.

Based on Marietta, South Carolina market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-14% depending on property type and location within the market. Properties near Lake Robinson and downtown areas command higher nightly rates of $85-140, while suburban properties average $65-95 per night with occupancy rates of 60-75% annually. Initial investment recovery and profitability generally occurs within 18-24 months for well-positioned properties, with vacation rental management companies like Vacasa and RedAwning reporting strong performance in the Greenville-Spartanburg metro area which includes Marietta. Properties purchased in the $150,000-250,000 range with 20-25% down payments typically achieve positive cash flow within 6-12 months, while luxury properties above $300,000 may require 24-36 months to reach optimal profitability due to higher carrying costs and seasonal demand fluctuations in this South Carolina market.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors in Marietta, South Carolina. Local real estate agents like Coldwell Banker Realty and Keller Williams Realty have agents experienced in investment properties and vacation rentals in the Marietta area. National services include Awning (formerly RedAwning) which provides full-service Airbnb property management and acquisition assistance, Mashvisor for property analysis and market data, and AirDNA for short-term rental market insights. Local property management companies such as Vacasa and RedAwning operate in South Carolina and can assist with both finding and managing Airbnb properties. Real estate investment firms like Roofstock and Fundrise also provide services for identifying rental properties, though they may focus more on traditional rentals. Additionally, local real estate agents specializing in investment properties at RE/MAX and Century 21 offices in the greater Greenville-Spartanburg area often work with clients seeking Airbnb investments in smaller markets like Marietta.