Is Menoken, North Dakota Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Menoken, North Dakota, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through Burleigh County planning department, as Menoken is an unincorporated community that falls under county jurisdiction rather than having its own municipal regulations. Contact Burleigh County at (701) 222-6651 to verify short-term rental requirements, which typically include business licensing and may require conditional use permits for residential properties used commercially. Obtain necessary permits including a North Dakota business license through the Secretary of State's office and register for state tax collection since North Dakota requires hosts to collect and remit sales tax on short-term rentals. Find suitable property by searching rural listings in the Menoken area, focusing on properties with good road access since many rural roads can be challenging, and ensure reliable internet connectivity as cellular and broadband service can be limited in this rural area. Furnish the property with essential amenities including heating suitable for North Dakota winters (temperatures can reach -30°F), backup power options due to potential outages during storms, and outdoor gear storage for guests interested in hunting, fishing, or outdoor activities popular in the region. List your property on Airbnb and VRBO, emphasizing proximity to Bismarck (about 20 miles), outdoor recreation opportunities, and the peaceful rural setting, with competitive pricing typically ranging $75-150 per night for rural North Dakota properties. Manage the property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services in nearby Bismarck or Mandan, create detailed check-in instructions since GPS can be unreliable in rural areas, maintain emergency contacts for heating/plumbing issues during harsh winters, and consider seasonal adjustments as demand may fluctuate with hunting seasons and summer outdoor activities.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Menoken, North Dakota, focus on properties within 15-20 minutes of Bismarck-Mandan metropolitan area since Menoken's small size (population under 100) means most demand comes from visitors to the larger nearby cities. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or cabins with rural charm, outdoor amenities like fire pits or fishing access, and reliable high-speed internet for business travelers. Pricing analysis should benchmark against Bismarck STRs ($80-150/night) while positioning 10-20% lower due to the rural location, with seasonal adjustments for hunting season (September-November) and summer recreation periods. Competition research reveals limited existing STR inventory in Menoken itself, creating opportunity but requiring analysis of Bismarck, Mandan, and rural Burleigh County properties on Airbnb and VRBO. Essential tools include AirDNA for market data on the broader Bismarck market, STR Helper for performance tracking, Mashvisor for investment analysis, and local resources like the Bismarck-Mandan Convention and Visitors Bureau for tourism trends, North Dakota Game and Fish Department for hunting season data, and Burleigh County property records for acquisition opportunities.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Menoken, North Dakota, contact the Burleigh County Planning and Zoning Department at 221 N 5th Street, Bismarck, ND 58501, as Menoken falls under county jurisdiction for zoning matters. Submit a completed conditional use permit application along with a site plan showing the property layout, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, floor plans indicating maximum occupancy, parking plan showing adequate spaces for guests, septic system compliance certificate if applicable, and contact information for a local property manager if you're an absentee owner. The application fee is typically $150-250 with additional inspection fees of $75-100. Required documents include a North Dakota business license ($50), sales tax permit from the North Dakota Tax Commissioner, general liability insurance certificate with minimum $1 million coverage, and compliance with International Building Code standards for egress windows and smoke detectors in all sleeping areas. The approval timeline ranges from 30-60 days depending on completeness of application and any required public hearings. Menoken-specific requirements include maintaining a guest registry, providing 24-hour contact information to neighbors, limiting occupancy to 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, ensuring adequate septic capacity for increased usage, and maintaining the property's residential character without commercial signage.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Menoken, North Dakota are generally legal as the small unincorporated community in Burleigh County operates under county and state regulations rather than having its own municipal ordinances. North Dakota state law does not prohibit STRs, and Burleigh County has not implemented comprehensive restrictions on short-term rental operations as of 2024. Property owners in Menoken can typically operate STRs subject to standard zoning requirements, health and safety codes, and tax obligations including state sales tax and local lodging taxes. Since Menoken is a very small rural community with limited residential development, there are no specific prohibited areas or density restrictions like those found in larger cities. Recent legal changes have been minimal at the county level, though operators must comply with state tax registration requirements and any applicable homeowners association rules. The regulatory environment remains relatively permissive compared to more urbanized areas in North Dakota, with enforcement primarily focused on health, safety, and tax compliance rather than operational restrictions.

Menoken, North Dakota, being a small unincorporated community with limited tourism infrastructure, presents challenging opportunities for Airbnb investment, but the most viable areas would be properties near the Missouri River corridor and along Highway 1804, which provide scenic access and connectivity to Bismarck-Mandan metropolitan area approximately 20 miles southeast. The river-adjacent properties could attract outdoor enthusiasts, hunters, and fishermen, particularly during peak seasons from May through October, while locations with easy highway access might capture overflow business travelers and visitors to the state capital region when hotels are at capacity. Properties near any existing agricultural operations or rural event venues could benefit from seasonal workers, wedding parties, and family gatherings, though the market would likely be limited to weekend and seasonal rentals rather than consistent year-round bookings due to the area's rural nature and small population base.

In Menoken, North Dakota, Airbnb properties are subject to North Dakota's state lodging tax of 4% on gross receipts from short-term rentals under 30 days, which is collected by the North Dakota Tax Commissioner and must be remitted monthly by the 15th of the following month if monthly gross receipts exceed $200. Burleigh County, where Menoken is located, does not impose an additional county lodging tax, and the small unincorporated community of Menoken itself does not have municipal lodging taxes. Property owners must register with the North Dakota Tax Commissioner's office to obtain a lodging tax license before operating, and the tax applies to all rental income including cleaning fees and other charges, with exemptions typically limited to rentals exceeding 30 consecutive days which are considered long-term leases rather than lodging. Airbnb may collect and remit these taxes automatically for hosts in North Dakota through their platform's tax collection service, but hosts remain ultimately responsible for ensuring compliance and should verify that taxes are being properly collected and remitted.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Menoken, North Dakota would be approximately $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase costs around $150,000-$180,000 based on median rural North Dakota home prices in small communities like Menoken. Furnishing costs typically range $8,000-$12,000 for a complete 2-3 bedroom home including furniture, bedding, kitchenware, and décor. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations average $2,000-$3,500. Permits and fees are minimal in rural North Dakota, estimated at $200-$500 for business licenses and short-term rental permits. Insurance costs approximately $1,200-$1,800 annually for landlord/short-term rental coverage. Utilities including electricity, water, sewer, internet, and cable average $200-$300 monthly or $1,200-$1,800 for six months. First six months operating costs including cleaning supplies, maintenance, marketing, platform fees, and miscellaneous expenses total approximately $2,400-$4,200, assuming moderate booking activity in this rural market near Bismarck.

Airbnb properties in Menoken, North Dakota face significant profitability challenges due to the town's small population of approximately 60 residents and limited tourism infrastructure. Properties in this rural area typically generate $2,000-4,000 annually in gross revenue with occupancy rates around 15-25%, primarily from oil workers, hunters, and travelers passing through on Highway 83. Operating expenses including utilities ($150-200/month), cleaning ($40-60 per stay), insurance ($800-1,200/year), and maintenance ($500-1,000/year) often consume 70-85% of gross revenue, leaving net profit margins of 15-30% or roughly $300-1,200 annually per property. Success factors include targeting extended stays for oil industry workers in nearby Bismarck-Mandan area, offering competitive rates ($45-75/night), and maintaining basic but clean accommodations. A typical single-family home conversion might cost $15,000-25,000 in initial setup and furnishing, requiring 12-20 years to break even, making Menoken properties more suitable as supplemental income rather than primary investment vehicles compared to properties in larger North Dakota cities like Fargo or Bismarck where occupancy rates exceed 60% and profit margins reach 40-50%.

Based on Menoken, North Dakota market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% depending on property acquisition costs and financing structure. The small rural community near Bismarck sees moderate demand from business travelers, oil industry workers, and visitors to the capital region, with average daily rates of $75-95 and occupancy rates around 45-60% annually. Initial profitability usually occurs within 18-24 months after accounting for startup costs, furnishing, and marketing expenses, though properties closer to Bismarck or along major highways like I-94 tend to perform better with potential ROI reaching 14-16% due to higher visibility and accessibility for travelers.

STRSearch is a national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties across markets including Menoken, North Dakota. For local expertise, Dakota Property Management and Prairie Real Estate Group in Bismarck serve the Menoken area and have experience with investment properties. National services like Awning, RedAwning, and Vacasa provide market analysis and property management for Airbnb investments in smaller North Dakota markets. Real estate agents such as Coldwell Banker The Real Estate Group and RE/MAX Professionals in the Bismarck-Mandan area cover Menoken and understand vacation rental potential. Additional national platforms include Mashvisor for property analytics, BiggerPockets for investor networking, and AirDNA for short-term rental market data specific to North Dakota markets. Local property management companies like Stellar Property Management and investment-focused realtors at Century 21 Morrison Realty also serve investors looking at Menoken's proximity to Bismarck for Airbnb opportunities.