Is Maynardville, Tennessee Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Maynardville, Tennessee, begin by researching Union County's zoning regulations and contacting the county clerk's office at (865) 992-8043 to verify short-term rental requirements, as Tennessee state law requires hosts to collect and remit state sales tax (7%) plus local occupancy taxes. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from Union County ($15-50 annually) and register with the Tennessee Department of Revenue for tax collection purposes. Find a suitable property by searching local real estate listings through companies like Realty Executives or Century 21, focusing on areas near Norris Dam State Park or Big South Fork for tourist appeal, with average property prices ranging $150,000-300,000. Furnish the property with essential amenities including Wi-Fi, linens, kitchen supplies, and outdoor furniture to capitalize on the area's recreational activities, budgeting $5,000-15,000 for initial setup. List your property on Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com with competitive pricing around $75-150 per night based on local market analysis, highlighting proximity to Cove Lake State Park and Cumberland Gap. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests ($30-50 per turnover), installing keyless entry systems, partnering with local cleaning services like those in nearby Knoxville (30 minutes away), and maintaining responsive communication with guests while ensuring compliance with Tennessee's short-term rental insurance requirements and noise ordinances that typically restrict quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Maynardville, Tennessee, focus on locations within 15-20 minutes of Norris Dam State Park and Big South Fork National River, as these outdoor recreation areas drive significant tourist traffic year-round. Target properties with 2-4 bedrooms, outdoor spaces like decks or fire pits, and rustic or cabin-style features that appeal to nature-seeking guests, with proximity to Clinch River access points being particularly valuable. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against similar properties in nearby Knoxville suburbs, aiming for average daily rates between $80-150 depending on size and amenities, while analyzing seasonal demand patterns that peak during summer months and hunting seasons. Research competition by studying existing STR listings within a 10-mile radius, noting occupancy rates, guest reviews, and pricing strategies of successful properties, particularly those marketed toward outdoor enthusiasts and families seeking lake access. Utilize tools like Rabbu and STR Helper for market analysis, partner with local property management companies familiar with Knox County regulations, and leverage resources from the East Tennessee Tourism Alliance to understand regional visitor patterns and marketing opportunities specific to the Cumberland Gap region's outdoor recreation economy.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Maynardville, Tennessee, you must first contact the Union County Planning Commission at 901 Main Street, Maynardville, TN 37807 or call (865) 992-8038, as Maynardville follows county regulations for short-term rentals. Submit a completed short-term rental application form along with required documents including property deed or lease agreement, site plan showing parking areas, septic system inspection certificate, fire safety inspection report, proof of liability insurance ($1 million minimum), Tennessee sales tax registration, and a $150 application fee plus $75 annual renewal fee. The property must comply with Union County zoning ordinances, maintain minimum parking requirements of two spaces per rental unit, pass health department septic inspection, meet fire safety codes with working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and display the permit number in all advertising. The approval process typically takes 30-45 days after submission of complete application materials, and you must also register with the Tennessee Department of Revenue for sales tax collection purposes before beginning operations, with permits requiring annual renewal each January.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Maynardville, Tennessee, as the city does not appear to have specific municipal ordinances prohibiting them as of 2024. However, operators must comply with Tennessee state regulations which require STR hosts to register with the Tennessee Department of Revenue, collect and remit state and local occupancy taxes, and maintain proper insurance coverage. Union County, where Maynardville is located, does not have county-wide STR restrictions, though operators should verify compliance with local zoning ordinances and homeowners association rules if applicable. The state requires a business license for STR operations and mandates that properties meet basic safety standards including smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. Recent Tennessee legislation has strengthened state oversight of STRs while generally preventing local municipalities from outright bans, though cities retain authority to regulate through zoning and safety requirements. Property owners in Maynardville should confirm current local zoning compliance and ensure proper registration with state authorities before operating an STR, as enforcement of tax collection and safety requirements has increased statewide since 2022.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Maynardville, Tennessee include the historic downtown district near Main Street, which attracts visitors interested in the town's heritage and local events like the annual Union County Fair, and properties near Norris Dam State Park (approximately 15 minutes away), which draw outdoor enthusiasts for fishing, boating, and camping activities year-round. The residential areas along Highway 33 and near Maynardville Elementary offer good accessibility while maintaining quiet, family-friendly atmospheres that appeal to visitors exploring the Cumberland Mountains region. Properties within a 10-mile radius of Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area benefit from steady tourism traffic, particularly during spring and fall seasons when outdoor activities peak. The areas near Cove Lake State Park also present opportunities due to consistent visitor flow for recreational activities, while locations with easy access to Interstate 75 (about 20 minutes away) attract business travelers heading to Knoxville or other regional destinations, making these neighborhoods particularly viable for short-term rental investments.

Airbnb properties in Maynardville, Tennessee are subject to Tennessee's state sales tax of 7% on short-term rental accommodations, which is automatically collected by Airbnb through their platform and remitted directly to the Tennessee Department of Revenue on behalf of hosts. Union County, where Maynardville is located, does not impose additional local occupancy taxes on short-term rentals as of 2023, though hosts should verify current local ordinances as some municipalities have begun implementing their own lodging taxes ranging from 1-3%. The state sales tax applies to rentals of less than 30 consecutive days with no exemptions for occasional or infrequent rentals, and hosts receive quarterly reports from Airbnb detailing the taxes collected and remitted. Properties rented for 30 days or longer are generally exempt from the transient occupancy tax requirements, and hosts operating outside of major booking platforms may need to register directly with the Tennessee Department of Revenue and remit taxes monthly if their annual liability exceeds $200.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Maynardville, Tennessee is approximately $185,000-$225,000. Property purchase costs around $150,000-$180,000 based on median home prices in rural East Tennessee markets. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $8,000-$12,000 for beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and décor from retailers like IKEA, Wayfair, and local stores. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations total $2,000-$3,500. Permits and fees in Union County include short-term rental permits ($200-$500), business licenses ($50-$150), and potential HOA approvals. Insurance costs $1,200-$2,000 annually for landlord and short-term rental coverage through companies like Proper Insurance or CBIZ. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, water, internet, and cable run $300-$500. First six months operating costs including utilities ($150/month), cleaning services ($75 per turnover), supplies and maintenance ($200/month), platform fees (3% of bookings), and marketing total approximately $3,000-$4,500 assuming 60% occupancy rates typical for rural Tennessee markets.

Airbnb properties in Maynardville, Tennessee show moderate profitability potential with average nightly rates ranging from $75-$120 for typical 2-3 bedroom homes, generating approximately $18,000-$28,000 in annual gross revenue based on 60-70% occupancy rates. Operating expenses typically consume 40-50% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($30-50 per turnover), property management (15-25% if outsourced), utilities ($150-200 monthly), insurance ($800-1,200 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $2,000-3,000 yearly. Net profit margins generally fall between 25-35% for well-managed properties, with successful hosts in the area capitalizing on proximity to Norris Dam State Park and Big South Fork National River attracting outdoor enthusiasts and families seeking rural retreats. Properties featuring amenities like hot tubs, fire pits, or lake access command premium rates of $130-180 nightly, while basic cabins or homes without distinctive features struggle to exceed $80 per night. Success factors include professional photography, responsive communication, strategic pricing during peak seasons (spring through fall), and targeting the growing market of remote workers seeking temporary rural escapes, with the most profitable properties being those purchased specifically for short-term rental use rather than converted primary residences.

Airbnb investments in Maynardville, Tennessee typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% based on the area's proximity to Norris Dam State Park and outdoor recreation activities that attract weekend visitors and vacation renters. Properties in this rural Union County market generally achieve profitability within 18-24 months, with average daily rates of $85-120 for well-appointed cabins or homes near the lake areas, though occupancy rates tend to be seasonal at 45-65% annually due to the region's tourism patterns concentrated in spring through fall months. Investment properties typically require $40,000-80,000 initial capital for purchase and renovation in this market, with gross rental yields averaging 10-14% annually for properties that successfully capture the outdoor recreation and lake tourism demand.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties in Maynardville, Tennessee, using data analytics and market insights. Local real estate agents serving the Maynardville area include Realty Executives Associates and Century 21 Legacy, with agents like those at Coldwell Banker Wallace & Wallace who understand the East Tennessee vacation rental market. National services include Awning, which provides end-to-end Airbnb investment services, RedAwning for property management and investment guidance, and Mashvisor for rental property analytics and market data. AirDNA offers short-term rental market intelligence for the Knoxville-Maynardville region, while companies like Vacasa and AvantStay provide property management services that can help investors maximize returns. Local property management companies such as East Tennessee Vacation Rentals and Smoky Mountain Retreat Realty specialize in short-term rental management in the area. Investment-focused real estate companies like BiggerPockets marketplace and Roofstock occasionally feature Tennessee properties, while local investors often work with regional firms like Tennessee Mountain Realty and Remax Preferred Properties who understand the tourism patterns around Norris Lake and the Cumberland Mountains that drive Airbnb demand in Maynardville.