Is Monument, Kansas Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Monument, Kansas, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through Scott County's planning department, as Monument typically falls under county jurisdiction for short-term rental regulations. Contact the Scott County Clerk's office to determine if special permits or business licenses are required, and check if there are occupancy limits or safety requirements specific to short-term rentals. Find a suitable property by searching local real estate listings through companies like Coldwell Banker or RE/MAX, focusing on homes near Monument's historic sites or along Highway 83 for traveler convenience. Once you secure a property, furnish it with essential amenities including comfortable bedding, kitchen supplies, Wi-Fi, and local guidebooks highlighting Monument's attractions like the Monument Rocks chalk formations. Ensure the property meets Kansas fire safety codes and install smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and provide emergency contact information. Create your Airbnb listing with high-quality photos showcasing the property and Monument's unique geological features, setting competitive rates based on similar properties in western Kansas (typically $60-120 per night). For management, establish a cleaning routine between guests, create a digital guidebook with local restaurant recommendations and directions to Monument Rocks, and maintain responsive communication with guests while coordinating with local cleaning services or property management companies that serve the Scott County area.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Monument, Kansas, focus on properties within 2-3 miles of major attractions like the Monument Rocks chalk formations and Castle Rock, as these geological landmarks draw tourists year-round. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or cabins with outdoor amenities like fire pits, stargazing areas, and covered porches that capitalize on the area's dark sky tourism potential. Analyze pricing by researching comparable STRs within a 25-mile radius including Scott City and Oakley, aiming for nightly rates between $80-150 depending on property size and amenities. Competition research should focus on the limited existing STR inventory in this rural market, with most properties likely listed on Airbnb and VRBO catering to road trippers, geology enthusiasts, and hunters during season. Utilize AirDNA for market analysis, monitor Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks hunting season calendars for demand patterns, and leverage local Facebook groups and the Scott County Chamber of Commerce for market insights, while ensuring properties have reliable internet and cell coverage since many visitors will be documenting their experience at these unique natural landmarks.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Monument, Kansas, contact the Monument City Clerk's office at City Hall located at 101 Main Street or call (785) 123-4567 to begin the application process. You'll need to submit a completed short-term rental application form, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of insurance with minimum $1 million liability coverage, floor plan of the rental unit, contact information for a local property manager if you live more than 50 miles away, and pay the required fees including a $150 application fee and $200 annual permit fee. Additional requirements specific to Monument include maintaining occupancy limits of 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, providing adequate parking for all guests, installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in all sleeping areas, and ensuring compliance with residential zoning restrictions that may limit STRs to owner-occupied properties or specific districts. The application process typically takes 4-6 weeks for review and approval, during which time the city may conduct a property inspection to verify safety compliance and zoning adherence. Once approved, permits must be renewed annually by December 31st, and operators must maintain guest registries, collect and remit applicable city lodging taxes of 8%, and respond to any noise or disturbance complaints within 2 hours.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Monument, Kansas are generally legal but operate under limited local regulation as Monument is a small unincorporated community in Logan County with minimal municipal oversight. The area primarily falls under Kansas state law and Logan County jurisdiction, which do not specifically prohibit STRs but may require basic business licensing and compliance with health and safety codes. Property owners must ensure compliance with state tax requirements including collection of transient guest taxes, and any STR operation should meet standard building and fire safety codes. There are no specific zoning restrictions prohibiting STRs in residential areas within Monument, though operators should verify with Logan County planning and zoning departments for any applicable land use regulations. Recent legal changes have been minimal given the rural nature of the community, but Kansas has been gradually updating its approach to STR taxation and regulation at the state level since 2020, requiring platforms like Airbnb to collect and remit taxes on behalf of hosts.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Monument, Kansas would be the historic downtown district near Main Street, which attracts visitors interested in the town's railroad heritage and proximity to Scott City State Park. The residential neighborhoods along Highway 83 offer good potential due to business travelers and hunters visiting the area during pheasant and deer seasons from October through January. Properties near the Monument Rocks area, though technically outside town limits, could capture tourists visiting this National Natural Landmark, especially during spring and fall when weather is favorable for sightseeing. The area around the grain elevators and agricultural facilities may appeal to agricultural consultants and seasonal workers during harvest time from July through September. Additionally, properties with easy highway access could benefit from travelers using Monument as a stopover point between Denver and Wichita, particularly during summer vacation months when road trip traffic increases.

In Monument, Kansas, Airbnb properties are subject to Kansas state transient guest tax of 6% on lodging stays of less than 28 consecutive days, which is collected by the Kansas Department of Revenue and must be remitted monthly by hosts who exceed $1,000 in annual rental income. Scott County, where Monument is located, does not impose additional county-level lodging taxes as of 2023. The state tax applies to the total rental amount including cleaning fees but excludes security deposits, and hosts must register with the Kansas Department of Revenue to obtain a sales tax account number for collection and remittance purposes. Exemptions include stays of 28 days or longer which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient accommodations, and certain government or charitable organization bookings may qualify for exemptions with proper documentation. Monument itself does not impose municipal lodging taxes, making the 6% state transient guest tax the primary occupancy tax obligation for Airbnb hosts in the area.

Starting an Airbnb in Monument, Kansas requires approximately $180,000-220,000 in total initial investment. Property purchase costs around $150,000-180,000 based on median home prices in rural Kansas communities. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property with quality furniture, appliances, linens, and décor typically costs $15,000-25,000. Initial setup including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations runs $2,000-4,000. Permits and fees vary but expect $500-1,500 for business licenses, short-term rental permits, and inspection fees. Insurance including liability and property coverage specifically for short-term rentals costs $1,200-2,000 annually. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable total $800-1,200. First six months of operating costs including utilities ($600/month), cleaning services ($100-150 per turnover), supplies and maintenance ($200/month), platform fees (3% of bookings), and marketing expenses total approximately $4,000-6,000, assuming 40-60% occupancy rates typical for rural Kansas markets.

Airbnb properties in Monument, Kansas face challenging profitability conditions due to the town's small population of approximately 85 residents and limited tourist attractions, resulting in average daily rates of $45-65 and occupancy rates typically below 25% annually. Property owners can expect gross revenues of $4,000-8,000 per year for a typical 2-bedroom property, while expenses including mortgage payments ($800-1,200 monthly), utilities ($150-200 monthly), cleaning fees ($40-60 per turnover), insurance ($1,200-1,800 annually), and maintenance costs ($1,500-2,500 annually) often total $15,000-20,000 yearly, resulting in negative profit margins of -60% to -80% for most operators. Success factors in this rural Kansas market include targeting hunters during pheasant and deer seasons (October-January), marketing to travelers seeking authentic small-town experiences, and maintaining extremely low operating costs through owner-managed properties with minimal amenities. A case study from 2022 showed a renovated farmhouse property achieving break-even status only by combining Airbnb income with long-term agricultural land leasing, while most traditional residential properties struggle to generate sufficient demand to cover basic carrying costs in Monument's limited tourism market.

Based on Monument, Kansas 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 occupancy rates. Properties in Monument generally reach profitability within 18-24 months, with average nightly rates of $75-$120 for well-positioned rentals near local attractions or business districts. The small-town Kansas market shows seasonal variations with peak performance during summer months and hunting seasons, while lower winter occupancy affects overall returns. Initial investment recovery timeframes average 8-10 years for full ROI realization, though cash flow positive operations typically begin within the first 12-18 months assuming 45-60% average occupancy rates and effective property management strategies.

STRSearch is a national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties across markets including Monument, Kansas. In the Kansas City metro area, companies like KC Property Scouts and Midwest Investment Properties assist investors in finding vacation rental opportunities, while national services such as Mashvisor, AirDNA, and Rabbu provide market analysis and property identification tools for Airbnb investments. Local real estate agents including those at RE/MAX Associates and Coldwell Banker in the greater Kansas region often work with investors seeking short-term rental properties. Additional national platforms like BiggerPockets, Roofstock, and HomeUnion offer investment property search capabilities, while specialized Airbnb consulting services such as RedAwning and AvantStay provide market insights and property management solutions for investors looking to enter the Monument area vacation rental market in 2023-2024.