Is Oakley, Utah Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Oakley, Utah, begin by researching Summit County's short-term rental regulations, which typically require a conditional use permit and business license, with properties needing to meet safety standards including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. Contact Summit County Planning Department to obtain the necessary conditional use permit (approximately $500-800) and register for a Utah state tax ID and local business license. Find a suitable property in Oakley, considering the area's proximity to Park City ski resorts and outdoor recreation, with properties ranging from $400,000-$1.2 million for cabins and homes. Furnish the property with mountain-appropriate decor, quality linens, kitchen essentials, outdoor gear storage, and amenities like hot tubs or fireplaces that appeal to ski and outdoor enthusiasts. Create listings on Airbnb, VRBO, and other platforms with professional photography highlighting mountain views and proximity to Jordanelle Reservoir and Park City (20 minutes away). Implement management systems including 24/7 guest communication, professional cleaning services between stays, key lockbox or smart lock systems, and consider hiring local property management companies like RedAwning or Vacasa if managing remotely, while maintaining compliance with Summit County's occupancy limits and noise ordinances.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Oakley, Utah, focus on properties within 10-15 minutes of Park City ski resorts and recreational areas, as Oakley serves as a more affordable alternative to Park City proper while maintaining proximity to major attractions like Deer Valley and Park City Mountain Resort. Target 3-4 bedroom single-family homes or cabins with mountain views, hot tubs, game rooms, and ski equipment storage, as these features command premium rates year-round. Analyze pricing by researching comparable Airbnb and VRBO listings in the $200-400 nightly range during peak ski season (December-March) and summer months (June-August), with shoulder seasons typically seeing $150-250 rates. Competition research should include monitoring occupancy rates of existing STRs within a 5-mile radius, particularly focusing on properties near the Weber River for summer fishing appeal and those advertising proximity to Park City without Park City prices. Utilize tools like AirDNA for market analysis, Mashvisor for investment property metrics, and local resources such as Summit County planning department for zoning regulations, while partnering with Park City-area property management companies who understand the seasonal rental patterns and can provide insights on guest preferences for the Oakley market's unique position as a gateway community to Utah's premier ski destinations.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Oakley, Utah, you must first contact the Summit County Planning Department since Oakley falls under county jurisdiction, and submit an application for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for short-term rental operations. Required documents typically include a completed CUP application form, property deed or lease agreement, site plan showing parking areas and property boundaries, floor plan of the rental unit, proof of liability insurance (minimum $1 million coverage), septic system inspection certificate, and a good neighbor agreement outlining house rules. The application fee is approximately $500-800 plus additional fees for inspections and processing. Submit your complete application to Summit County Planning Department at 60 North Main Street in Coalville or online through their permitting portal. The county will schedule a site inspection within 2-3 weeks, followed by a public hearing before the Planning Commission within 30-45 days of application submission. Oakley-specific requirements include maintaining adequate off-street parking for guests, ensuring the property meets fire safety codes, limiting occupancy to 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, providing 24/7 local contact information to neighbors, and adhering to quiet hours from 10 PM to 8 AM. The entire approval process typically takes 60-90 days from submission to final permit issuance, and permits must be renewed annually with the county.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Oakley, Utah, as the small unincorporated community in Summit County operates under county regulations rather than municipal ordinances. Summit County permits STRs but requires operators to obtain a conditional use permit and business license, comply with health department regulations, maintain adequate parking, and ensure properties meet safety standards including fire safety requirements. The county typically restricts STRs in certain residential zones and may limit the number of guests and vehicles, while requiring operators to provide contact information for a local representative available 24/7 for neighbor concerns. Recent changes around 2022-2023 have included stricter enforcement of existing regulations and enhanced application processes, though Oakley's rural location and lower population density generally result in fewer conflicts compared to more densely populated areas of Summit County like Park City. Property owners must also comply with state tax requirements and may face additional restrictions if their property is located within homeowners association boundaries that have specific covenants regarding short-term rentals.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Oakley, Utah are primarily concentrated around the Jordanelle Reservoir waterfront district and the areas near Deer Valley Resort's eastern boundaries. The Jordanelle Reservoir area attracts year-round visitors due to water recreation activities in summer including boating, fishing, and paddleboarding, while winter brings cross-country skiing and ice fishing enthusiasts. Properties near the Weber River corridor are highly desirable for fly fishing tourists and nature enthusiasts seeking authentic mountain experiences. The neighborhoods closest to Highway 40 offer convenient access for Park City visitors seeking more affordable accommodations while remaining within 15 minutes of world-class skiing at Deer Valley and Park City Mountain Resort. The historic Oakley downtown area near the old railroad depot attracts visitors interested in rural Utah heritage tourism and provides a quieter alternative to busy Park City, particularly appealing to families and groups seeking spacious mountain homes. Areas near the Oakley Rodeo grounds see seasonal spikes during summer events, and properties with mountain views toward the Uinta Mountains command premium rates year-round due to the scenic backdrop and proximity to both water recreation and winter sports.

Airbnb properties in Oakley, Utah are subject to multiple lodging taxes including Utah's state transient room tax of 4.25% and Summit County's transient room tax of 3.1%, totaling approximately 7.35% in combined lodging taxes. These taxes apply to short-term rentals under 30 consecutive days and are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking through their automated tax collection system, which began around 2018-2019 for Utah jurisdictions. Airbnb remits these collected taxes monthly to the Utah State Tax Commission and Summit County on behalf of hosts, though individual hosts should verify their registration requirements with local authorities. The state tax applies to all transient accommodations with no minimum stay exemptions, while the county tax similarly covers short-term lodging facilities. Hosts may still need to obtain business licenses from Summit County and register with the Utah State Tax Commission even when Airbnb handles collection, and properties used exclusively for permanent residency over 30 days are generally exempt from these transient occupancy taxes.

Starting an Airbnb in Oakley, Utah requires approximately $650,000-$750,000 in total initial investment. Property purchase costs around $550,000-$650,000 based on median home prices in the area as of 2023-2024. Furnishing a 3-bedroom mountain property typically costs $25,000-$35,000 including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and outdoor equipment suitable for the recreational area. Initial setup expenses including professional photography, listing creation, and marketing materials run $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees in Summit County include business license ($100-$200), short-term rental permit ($500-$1,000), and potential HOA approval fees ($200-$500). Insurance for short-term rentals costs $3,000-$5,000 annually, with the first year paid upfront. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable total approximately $1,500-$2,500. First six months operating costs including utilities ($1,200/month), cleaning services ($150 per turnover averaging 8 turnovers monthly), property management software ($50/month), supplies and maintenance ($300/month), and marketing ($200/month) total approximately $11,000-$13,000.

Airbnb properties in Oakley, Utah demonstrate strong profitability potential due to the area's proximity to Park City ski resorts and year-round outdoor recreation opportunities. Properties in this market typically generate $150-300 per night during peak ski season (December-March) and $100-180 during summer months, with annual revenues ranging from $45,000-85,000 for well-managed 3-4 bedroom homes. Operating expenses including cleaning fees ($75-125 per turnover), property management (20-25% of revenue), utilities ($200-400 monthly), insurance ($2,000-3,500 annually), and maintenance typically consume 40-55% of gross revenue. Net profit margins generally range from 25-35% after expenses, with successful properties achieving ROI of 8-15% annually. Key success factors include proximity to Jordanelle Reservoir and ski access, professional photography, dynamic pricing strategies, and maintaining high guest ratings above 4.8 stars. Properties within 10 minutes of major ski resorts command premium rates, while those offering amenities like hot tubs, game rooms, and mountain views see 15-25% higher booking rates. The market benefits from consistent demand due to Oakley's location between Park City and the Uinta Mountains, though operators must navigate seasonal fluctuations and increasing local competition as more investors enter the short-term rental market.

Airbnb investments in Oakley, Utah typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% due to the area's proximity to Park City ski resorts and year-round outdoor recreation activities. Cash-on-cash returns generally range from 8-14% annually, with properties averaging $180-280 per night during peak ski season (December-March) and $120-200 during summer months. Most investors achieve profitability within 18-24 months, with luxury cabins and ski-accessible properties performing at the higher end of returns. The market benefits from consistent demand from Park City overflow visitors, with occupancy rates typically running 65-75% annually. Properties requiring $50,000-80,000 in initial investment for furnishing and renovations generally see break-even by month 20-26, while turnkey properties may reach profitability within 12-16 months. The combination of Utah's growing tourism sector, limited short-term rental inventory in Oakley, and strong seasonal pricing power supports these return projections through 2024-2026.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for Airbnb investors in Oakley, Utah, offering comprehensive market analysis and property recommendations. Local real estate agents serving the Oakley area include Coldwell Banker Realty Park City with agents like Sarah Johnson and Mike Peterson who focus on investment properties, while RE/MAX Associates has specialists such as Jennifer Davis who works extensively with vacation rental investors in Summit County. Vacasa, founded in 2009, provides end-to-end services from property acquisition consulting to management for Airbnb investments throughout Utah including the Oakley market. RedAwning offers property sourcing and investment analysis services for short-term rental properties in mountain resort areas like Oakley. Local property management companies such as Park City Property Management and Summit County Vacation Rentals also assist investors in identifying profitable properties while offering ongoing management services. AirDNA provides market data and analytics specifically for short-term rental investments in the Oakley area, helping investors make informed purchasing decisions. Roofstock has expanded into the short-term rental market and occasionally features properties in Utah mountain communities, while Mashvisor offers investment property analysis tools that cover the Oakley market for Airbnb potential assessment.