Is Mims, Florida Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Mims, Florida, begin by researching Brevard County's short-term rental regulations, which typically require a business tax receipt and may have zoning restrictions in residential areas. Contact Brevard County's Planning and Development Department to verify if your intended property location allows short-term rentals and obtain necessary permits, including a vacation rental license if required. Find a suitable property in Mims by searching areas near the Indian River or close to Kennedy Space Center attractions, considering properties with 2-3 bedrooms that appeal to tourists and space workers. Purchase essential furnishings including quality mattresses, linens, kitchen appliances, WiFi equipment, and basic amenities while ensuring the property meets Florida's safety requirements including smoke detectors and emergency exits. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting proximity to beaches (about 20 minutes to Cocoa Beach), space coast attractions, and natural areas like the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. For management, establish a cleaning schedule between guests, implement a key exchange system, maintain competitive pricing around $80-150 per night depending on property size and season, respond promptly to guest inquiries, and consider hiring a local property management company if you live outside the area. Ensure compliance with Florida's transient rental tax requirements and maintain proper insurance coverage for short-term rental operations.

For identifying profitable short-term rental properties in Mims, Florida, focus on waterfront or near-water locations along the Indian River Lagoon and properties within 15-20 minutes of Kennedy Space Center, as space launches drive significant tourism demand. Target 3-4 bedroom single-family homes or condos with pools, boat access, fishing amenities, and modern furnishings, as these features command premium rates of $150-300 per night compared to basic properties at $80-150. Analyze pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify properties where potential STR income exceeds long-term rental income by 40-60%, typically requiring purchase prices under $300,000 for optimal ROI. Research competition by monitoring active Airbnb and VRBO listings within 5-mile radius, noting occupancy rates average 65-75% annually with peak seasons during rocket launches, fishing tournaments, and winter months when northern visitors arrive. Utilize Brevard County's STR regulations database, partner with local property managers like Vacasa or RedAwning who understand the market, and leverage tools like Rabbu and Pricelabs for dynamic pricing while monitoring Cape Canaveral event calendars and Brevard County tourism data to maximize booking potential in this niche space-tourism and recreational fishing market.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Mims, Florida, you must first apply through Brevard County since Mims is an unincorporated area, by contacting the Brevard County Planning and Development Department at 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, FL 32940 or online through their permitting portal. Required documents typically include a completed short-term rental application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, floor plan of the property, site plan, parking plan showing adequate spaces, septic system inspection (if applicable), fire safety inspection certificate, and homeowner's association approval if applicable. You'll need to pay application fees ranging from $150-300 plus inspection fees of approximately $100-200, and the process generally takes 30-60 days from submission to approval. Specific Mims/Brevard County requirements include maintaining a maximum occupancy of 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, providing adequate parking (typically 1 space per bedroom), ensuring the property meets all building and fire codes, obtaining a business tax receipt, maintaining liability insurance of at least $1 million, designating a local contact person available 24/7 within 30 minutes of the property, and complying with noise ordinances and waste management requirements. After approval, you must renew the permit annually and collect and remit tourist development taxes to Brevard County.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Mims, Florida, as the unincorporated community in Brevard County operates under county regulations rather than municipal ordinances. Brevard County allows STRs but requires operators to obtain a business tax receipt and comply with zoning restrictions, with most residential areas permitting STRs as accessory uses. Properties must meet safety requirements including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers, while operators must collect and remit tourist development taxes. The county prohibits STRs in certain residential zoning districts and requires a minimum separation distance between rental properties in some areas. Recent changes around 2022-2023 have included stricter enforcement of noise ordinances and parking requirements, with enhanced complaint procedures for neighbors. STR operators in Mims must also comply with state registration requirements implemented by Florida in recent years, including registration with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation and adherence to advertising platform compliance measures that took effect in 2023.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Mims, Florida include the waterfront properties along the Indian River Lagoon, which attract tourists seeking fishing, boating, and water sports activities year-round. The historic downtown Mims area offers charm for visitors exploring Old Florida culture and provides easy access to the Canavenir Shoals Sanctuary and Black Point Wildlife Drive. Properties near the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge boundary are highly desirable due to proximity to nature tourism and birdwatching activities. The areas close to State Road 46 provide convenient access for business travelers working at Kennedy Space Center (approximately 30 minutes away) and tourists visiting nearby attractions. Neighborhoods near the St. Johns River offer excellent fishing and eco-tourism opportunities, particularly attractive to visitors seeking authentic Florida experiences. The rural residential areas along Mims Road appeal to guests wanting peaceful retreats while maintaining reasonable access to Titusville, New Smyrna Beach, and Orlando attractions within 45-60 minutes.

Airbnb properties in Mims, Florida are subject to multiple lodging taxes including the Florida state sales tax of 6%, the Brevard County tourist development tax of 5%, and potentially additional local municipal taxes. The Florida Department of Revenue requires hosts to register for a sales tax permit and collect the 6% state sales tax on all rental transactions, with monthly remittance due by the 20th of the following month for most operators. Brevard County's 5% tourist development tax applies to rentals of six months or less and must be collected by the host and remitted quarterly to the Brevard County Tax Collector's office. Airbnb may collect and remit these taxes automatically for hosts in some cases, but hosts remain ultimately responsible for compliance and should verify collection with their local tax authorities. Properties rented for more than six months continuously to the same tenant are typically exempt from the tourist development tax, and certain agricultural or educational exemptions may apply to the state sales tax under specific circumstances. Hosts must maintain detailed records of all rental income and tax collections, and failure to properly collect and remit these taxes can result in penalties, interest, and potential legal action by tax authorities.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Mims, Florida is approximately $285,000-$335,000. Property purchase costs around $220,000-$250,000 based on median home prices in the area as of 2023-2024. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property typically runs $15,000-$25,000 including beds, sofas, dining sets, appliances, linens, and decor. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic marketing total $1,500-$3,000. Permits and fees in Brevard County include business license ($50-$150), vacation rental permit ($200-$500), and potential HOA approval fees ($100-$300). Insurance for short-term rentals costs $2,000-$4,000 annually, significantly higher than standard homeowner's insurance. Utilities including electricity, water, internet, cable, and trash service average $300-$500 monthly or $1,800-$3,000 for six months. First six months operating costs including cleaning services ($100-$150 per turnover), supplies, maintenance, property management software, and marketing total $8,000-$12,000. Additional considerations include potential property management fees (20-30% of revenue), emergency repair fund ($2,000-$5,000), and working capital for initial months before bookings stabilize.

Airbnb properties in Mims, Florida, typically generate annual revenues ranging from $15,000 to $35,000 for single-family homes and $8,000 to $18,000 for condos, with average daily rates between $75-$150 depending on proximity to Kennedy Space Center and seasonal demand. Operating expenses generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including property management fees (15-25%), cleaning costs ($50-$80 per turnover), utilities ($150-$300 monthly), insurance ($1,200-$2,500 annually), and maintenance reserves (5-10% of revenue). Properties within 15 miles of Kennedy Space Center achieve higher occupancy rates of 65-75% due to space tourism and NASA contractor demand, while those near the Indian River Lagoon attract fishing and boating enthusiasts, resulting in profit margins of 25-40% for well-managed properties. Success factors include strategic pricing during rocket launches when rates can surge 200-300%, maintaining 4.8+ star ratings through consistent cleanliness and communication, and targeting the growing space tourism market as companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin increase launch frequency from nearby Cape Canaveral, with some investors reporting ROI of 8-12% annually on properties purchased between 2019-2022 at median prices of $180,000-$280,000.

Airbnb investments in Mims, Florida typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, based on the area's proximity to Kennedy Space Center and Canaveral National Seashore which drives consistent tourist demand. Properties in Mims generally achieve profitability within 18-24 months, with average daily rates of $85-120 and occupancy rates of 65-75% annually. The market benefits from space tourism growth through companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin launching from nearby Cape Canaveral, plus beach proximity attracting visitors year-round. Investment properties typically require $40,000-60,000 down payment for $200,000-300,000 homes, generating $1,800-2,800 monthly gross revenue after achieving market penetration. The timeframe to break-even on initial investment and renovation costs averages 2-3 years, with many investors seeing positive cash flow by month 6-12 once bookings stabilize and property management systems are optimized.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market research tools for Mims, Florida. Local real estate agents specializing in short-term rental investments in the Mims area include Coldwell Banker Realty agents who focus on Brevard County vacation rentals, RE/MAX specialists in Space Coast investment properties, and Keller Williams agents with STR expertise. National services include AirDNA for market analytics, Mashvisor for investment property analysis, BiggerPockets for investor networking and deal sourcing, and Awning for short-term rental investment guidance. Local property management companies that also help with acquisitions include Space Coast Property Management, Brevard Vacation Rentals, and East Coast Property Solutions. Additional services include RedAwning for STR market insights, Vacasa's investment advisory services, and local investment groups like the Space Coast Real Estate Investors Association which connects investors with properties in the Mims market near the Canaveral National Seashore area.