Is Murphys, California Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Murphys, California, begin by researching Calaveras County's short-term rental regulations, which typically require a Transient Occupancy Registration (TOR) permit and compliance with zoning laws that may restrict rentals in certain residential areas. Contact Calaveras County Planning Department to obtain the necessary permits, which usually cost $200-500 annually and require property inspections for safety compliance including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and emergency exits. Find a suitable property in Murphys by purchasing or leasing a home, cabin, or cottage, with average property prices ranging $400,000-800,000 for purchase or $2,000-4,000 monthly for long-term leases suitable for short-term rental conversion. Furnish the property with quality furniture, linens, kitchen essentials, and amenities that appeal to wine country tourists and outdoor enthusiasts, budgeting $15,000-30,000 for complete furnishing. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photography highlighting Murphys' proximity to Calaveras Big Trees State Park and local wineries, set competitive pricing around $150-300 per night based on seasonality and local events like the Murphys Irish Days festival. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, responding promptly to inquiries, coordinating check-ins/check-outs, and maintaining the property to meet Airbnb's standards while ensuring compliance with local noise ordinances and occupancy limits typically set at 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Murphys, California, focus on properties within walking distance of Main Street's historic downtown core and wine tasting rooms, as this Gold Rush town attracts tourists year-round for its wineries, caverns, and outdoor activities. Target 2-4 bedroom homes or cabins with rustic charm, updated amenities, outdoor spaces like decks or fire pits, and parking for multiple vehicles, as visitors often come in groups for wine tours and family gatherings. Analyze pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against comparable properties, aiming for $150-300 per night depending on size and amenities, with higher rates during peak seasons like summer and fall harvest. Research competition by studying existing Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 3-mile radius, noting occupancy rates, guest reviews, and pricing strategies of top performers like those near Murphys Historic Hotel or Ironstone Vineyards. Utilize tools such as Rabbu, AllTheRooms, and local vacation rental management companies like Vacasa or RedAwning for market insights, while monitoring Calaveras County's STR regulations and permit requirements, and consider properties near popular attractions like Moaning Caverns, Bear Valley ski resort (45 minutes away), and the numerous local wineries that drive consistent tourism demand throughout the year.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Murphys, California, you must apply through Calaveras County's Planning Department since Murphys is an unincorporated community. Submit your application to the Calaveras County Planning Department at 891 Mountain Ranch Road, San Andreas, CA 95249, or apply online through their permitting portal. Required documents typically include a completed STR permit application, property deed or lease agreement, site plan showing parking and emergency access, septic system certification, well water testing results if applicable, fire safety inspection certificate, liability insurance proof (minimum $1 million), and a good neighbor agreement outlining house rules. The application fee ranges from $500-800 with annual renewal fees of approximately $200-300. You must also pay TOT (Transient Occupancy Tax) registration fees to both the county and state. The approval timeline is generally 60-90 days depending on completeness of application and any required inspections. Specific Murphys/Calaveras County requirements include maximum occupancy limits based on bedrooms and septic capacity, mandatory 24/7 local contact person within 30 minutes of property, compliance with fire safety standards including smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, adequate parking (typically 2 spaces minimum), quiet hours enforcement from 10 PM to 8 AM, and adherence to the county's 14% TOT rate. Properties in historic districts may have additional architectural review requirements, and some residential zones may have density restrictions limiting the number of STRs per area.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in Murphys, California, but operate under Calaveras County's regulations since Murphys is an unincorporated community. As of 2023, Calaveras County requires STR operators to obtain a Transient Occupancy Registration Certificate and comply with specific operational standards including occupancy limits, parking requirements, noise restrictions, and 24/7 contact information for a responsible party. The county imposes a transient occupancy tax on STR bookings and requires annual renewals of permits. Properties must meet health and safety standards, maintain adequate septic and water systems, and cannot exceed maximum occupancy based on bedrooms and square footage. Recent changes in 2022-2023 have strengthened enforcement mechanisms and clarified permit requirements, with violations subject to fines and potential permit revocation. While STRs are permitted throughout most residential areas in Murphys, operators must ensure compliance with fire safety codes, particularly important given the area's wildfire risk, and maintain good neighbor policies to address community concerns about noise and parking impacts.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Murphys, California are the Historic Downtown District centered around Main Street, which attracts tourists year-round with its Gold Rush-era charm, wine tasting rooms, and proximity to Ironstone Vineyards and Mercer Caverns. The Murphys Creek area offers scenic properties near hiking trails and natural attractions that appeal to outdoor enthusiasts visiting Calaveras Big Trees State Park. The Angels Camp Road corridor provides excellent access to both Murphys' attractions and nearby Angels Camp, famous for its annual Jumping Frog Jubilee, making it ideal for event-driven bookings. Properties near the Murphys Community Park and Murphys Creek Theatre benefit from cultural events and family gatherings throughout the year. The residential neighborhoods along Sheep Ranch Road and Jones Street offer quieter settings while maintaining walkability to downtown wineries like Twisted Oak Winery and Newsome Harlow, attracting wine tourists who prefer a more residential experience. These areas collectively benefit from Murphys' position as a gateway to Gold Country tourism, consistent wine country visitors, and seasonal influxes during harvest festivals and holiday events.

Airbnb properties in Murphys, California are subject to multiple lodging taxes including the Calaveras County Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) of 10% and potentially local municipal taxes. The county TOT applies to stays of 30 days or less and is collected on the total rental amount including cleaning fees. Property owners must register with the Calaveras County Tax Collector's office, obtain a TOT certificate, and remit taxes monthly by the 15th of the following month along with required reporting forms. Airbnb can collect and remit these taxes directly on behalf of hosts through their platform's tax collection service, which began operating in California around 2016-2017. Exemptions may apply for stays exceeding 30 consecutive days, government employees on official business, and certain non-profit organizations with proper documentation. Property owners are also responsible for registering their short-term rental with the county and obtaining necessary permits, with penalties for non-compliance including fines and potential suspension of rental privileges.

Starting an Airbnb in Murphys, California requires approximately $650,000-$750,000 in total initial investment. Property purchase represents the largest expense at $550,000-$650,000 based on median home prices in this Gold Country town as of 2023. Furnishing costs typically range $15,000-$25,000 for a complete setup including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, and décor appropriate for the rustic mountain setting. Initial setup expenses including professional photography, listing creation, and basic marketing total around $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees in Tuolumne County include short-term rental permits ($500-$1,000), business licenses ($200-$500), and potential TOT (Transient Occupancy Tax) registration. Insurance costs approximately $2,000-$3,000 annually for short-term rental coverage beyond standard homeowner's insurance. Utilities including electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable average $300-$500 monthly or $1,800-$3,000 for six months. First six months operating costs encompass cleaning services ($150-$200 per turnover), supplies and maintenance ($200-$400 monthly), platform fees (3% of bookings), and marketing expenses, totaling approximately $8,000-$12,000 depending on occupancy rates and seasonal demand in this popular wine country and outdoor recreation destination.

Airbnb properties in Murphys, California, demonstrate strong profitability potential with average nightly rates ranging from $150-$300 for typical 2-3 bedroom cabins and vacation homes, generating approximately $45,000-$85,000 in annual gross revenue for properties with 60-70% occupancy rates. Operating expenses typically consume 35-45% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($75-$125 per turnover), property management (15-25% of revenue), utilities ($200-$400 monthly), insurance ($1,500-$3,000 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $3,000-$6,000 yearly. Net profit margins generally range from 25-40% for well-managed properties, with successful hosts in the area reporting annual net profits of $15,000-$35,000 per property. Key success factors include proximity to Calaveras Big Trees State Park and local wineries, professional photography showcasing mountain views and outdoor amenities, consistent 4.8+ star ratings, and seasonal pricing strategies that capitalize on peak summer and fall foliage periods when rates can increase 40-60% above winter baseline pricing. Properties featuring hot tubs, fire pits, and pet-friendly policies command premium rates, while those within walking distance of downtown Murphys' tasting rooms and restaurants achieve higher occupancy rates and can sustain year-round bookings even during slower winter months.

Airbnb investments in Murphys, California typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% based on the area's strong tourism demand driven by wine country attractions and proximity to Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Cash-on-cash returns generally range from 8-14% annually, with properties averaging $150-250 per night during peak seasons and 65-75% occupancy rates year-round. Most investors achieve profitability within 18-24 months, with vacation rental management companies like Vacasa and RedAwning reporting strong performance in the Sierra Foothills region since 2019. Properties near downtown Murphys or within walking distance of local wineries command premium rates, while larger homes accommodating 6-8 guests see the highest returns due to group bookings for wine tours and outdoor activities. The market has shown resilience with 15-20% revenue growth annually from 2020-2023, though investors should factor in seasonal fluctuations with winter months typically seeing 40-50% lower occupancy rates.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors looking in Murphys, California. Local real estate agents like those at Century 21 Select Real Estate and Coldwell Banker Kappel Gateway Realty have extensive knowledge of the Calaveras County market and can identify properties with strong Airbnb potential in the historic Gold Country region. National services include Awning, which provides end-to-end Airbnb investment services, RedAwning for vacation rental property sourcing, and Mashvisor's analytics platform for identifying profitable STR investments. Local property management companies like Gold Country Property Management and Sierra Foothills Property Services often work with investors to identify and manage Airbnb properties in the area. Additional national resources include BiggerPockets' STR marketplace, Roofstock's vacation rental division, and AirDNA for market analysis specific to the Murphys area, which benefits from its proximity to wine country, Calaveras Big Trees State Park, and year-round tourism appeal.