Is Ogdensburg, New York Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Ogdensburg, New York, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the City of Ogdensburg Planning Department, as the city requires short-term rental operators to obtain a special use permit and comply with residential zoning restrictions that typically limit rentals to owner-occupied properties or designated areas. Contact the St. Lawrence County Health Department for any required health permits and ensure compliance with New York State's short-term rental tax collection requirements through the Department of Taxation and Finance. Find a suitable property in residential zones that allow short-term rentals, focusing on areas near the St. Lawrence River or downtown for tourist appeal, with properties typically ranging from $80,000-$200,000 for single-family homes. Obtain necessary permits including a Certificate of Occupancy from the city's Code Enforcement Office, register for sales tax collection with New York State, and secure appropriate insurance coverage that includes short-term rental liability. Furnish the property with essential amenities including Wi-Fi, cable TV, full kitchen appliances, linens, and local guidebooks highlighting attractions like Fort de La Présentation and Frederic Remington Art Museum. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos, competitive pricing around $75-$150 per night based on local market rates, and highlight proximity to the Canadian border and Thousand Islands region. Manage the property by establishing check-in procedures, maintaining cleanliness standards, responding promptly to guest inquiries, and coordinating with local cleaning services and maintenance providers, while ensuring compliance with Ogdensburg's noise ordinances and parking regulations that may limit the number of vehicles per rental property.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Ogdensburg, New York, focus on locations within walking distance of the St. Lawrence River waterfront, near Fort de La Présentation historic site, or close to the Thousand Islands Bridge for cross-border tourism appeal. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or duplex units built after 1950 with updated kitchens, reliable heating systems for harsh winters, parking spaces, and outdoor amenities like decks or fire pits that capitalize on the area's natural setting. Analyze comparable STR pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor, aiming for properties under $150,000 that can command $80-120 nightly rates during peak summer months (June-September) when boating and fishing tourism peaks. Research competition by monitoring existing Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 5-mile radius, noting occupancy rates typically drop 40-60% in winter months, and identify gaps in amenities like boat parking or pet-friendly options. Utilize tools like Rabbu and STR Helper for market analysis, connect with local real estate agents familiar with investment properties, and leverage the Ogdensburg Chamber of Commerce for tourism trend data, while considering properties that appeal to both leisure travelers visiting the Thousand Islands region and business travelers crossing the international border, as the city's proximity to Canada creates unique demand patterns not found in typical upstate New York markets.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Ogdensburg, New York, contact the Ogdensburg City Clerk's Office at City Hall located at 330 Ford Street to begin the application process, as the city requires short-term rental operators to register their properties and obtain proper licensing. You'll need to submit a completed short-term rental application form, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of occupancy, proof of liability insurance (typically $1 million minimum), floor plan of the rental unit, emergency contact information, and a site plan showing parking availability. The application fee is estimated at $150-250 annually, with additional inspection fees of approximately $75-100. Required documents also include a fire safety inspection certificate from the local fire department and compliance with zoning regulations, as STRs are typically only permitted in certain residential zones. The timeline for approval is generally 30-60 days after submitting a complete application, depending on scheduling for required inspections. Ogdensburg-specific requirements include maintaining a local contact person available 24/7, limiting occupancy to no more than 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, providing adequate off-street parking (typically 1 space per bedroom), and ensuring compliance with noise ordinances and waste management protocols. Properties must also meet all building and fire codes, including proper egress windows and smoke/carbon monoxide detectors in all sleeping areas.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Ogdensburg, New York operate under local municipal regulations, and as of 2023-2024, the city generally allows STRs but requires compliance with zoning ordinances and business licensing requirements. Property owners must obtain proper permits and register their rentals with the city, typically paying annual fees ranging from $100-300. STRs are generally permitted in residential zones but may face restrictions in certain historic districts near the St. Lawrence River waterfront area. The city has implemented occupancy limits (usually 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional), parking requirements (typically 1 space per bedroom), and noise ordinances with quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM. Recent changes in 2023 included stricter enforcement of the 30-day minimum rental requirement in some residential zones and enhanced penalties for non-compliance, with fines up to $1,000 for repeat violations. Properties must also comply with New York State fire safety codes and maintain liability insurance, while hosts are required to collect and remit local occupancy taxes to St. Lawrence County.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Ogdensburg, New York are the Historic Downtown District along Ford Street and the Waterfront area near the St. Lawrence River, both offering proximity to the Thousand Islands tourism corridor and easy access to Canada via the Prescott-Ogdensburg International Bridge. The Fort de la Présentation area attracts history enthusiasts and educational tourists, while properties near SUNY Canton (approximately 15 minutes away) capture student family visits and college events. The residential neighborhoods around Riverside Cemetery and near the Ogdensburg-Prescott Bridge are ideal for business travelers working with cross-border commerce, customs officials, and international trade companies. These areas benefit from year-round demand due to the city's role as a major border crossing, summer tourism to the Thousand Islands region, winter sports enthusiasts heading to nearby ski areas, and business travelers involved in US-Canada trade relationships, with peak seasons during summer months (June-August) and winter holidays when families visit the region for outdoor activities and cross-border shopping.

In Ogdensburg, New York, Airbnb hosts are subject to New York State sales tax of 8% on lodging rentals, which applies to stays of less than 90 consecutive days, and this tax must be collected from guests and remitted quarterly to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance through their online system or by mail using Form ST-809. Additionally, hosts may be subject to St. Lawrence County sales tax of 3%, bringing the total occupancy tax to approximately 11%, though the city of Ogdensburg does not impose a separate local lodging tax as of 2023. Airbnb can collect and remit these taxes automatically for hosts who opt into their tax collection service, which began in New York in 2018, or hosts can handle collection and remittance independently by registering for a Certificate of Authority with New York State. Exemptions typically apply to rentals of 90 days or longer, which are considered residential rather than transient occupancy, and certain government and nonprofit organization stays may also be exempt with proper documentation.

To start an Airbnb in Ogdensburg, New York, the total estimated costs would be approximately $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase costs around $120,000-$150,000 based on median home prices in this St. Lawrence County city near the Canadian border. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property would cost $15,000-$25,000 including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and appliances. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic renovations would be $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and tax registrations would cost $500-$1,500. Insurance including landlord and short-term rental coverage would be $2,000-$3,000 annually. Utilities setup and deposits for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable would cost $1,000-$2,000. First six months operating costs including utilities ($600/month), cleaning services ($100 per turnover), maintenance, supplies, platform fees, and marketing would total $8,000-$12,000, assuming 50-60% occupancy rates typical for smaller upstate New York markets.

Airbnb properties in Ogdensburg, New York typically generate modest returns due to the city's small market size and limited tourism infrastructure, with average nightly rates ranging from $75-120 for entire homes and occupancy rates around 40-55% annually. Properties near the St. Lawrence River or historic downtown areas perform better, generating approximately $15,000-25,000 in gross annual revenue, while expenses including mortgage payments, utilities, cleaning fees, insurance, and maintenance typically consume 60-75% of revenue, leaving net profit margins between 25-40% for well-managed properties. Success factors include proximity to the Thousand Islands region attractions, competitive pricing below $100/night, professional photography, and targeting Canadian visitors taking advantage of currency exchange rates, though the seasonal nature of tourism and competition from established hotels like Quality Inn & Suites and Hampton Inn limit year-round profitability potential compared to larger New York markets.

Airbnb investments in Ogdensburg, New York typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, primarily driven by the city's proximity to the Canadian border and seasonal tourism from the Thousand Islands region. Properties near the St. Lawrence River and downtown area command higher nightly rates of $80-120, while standard residential properties average $60-90 per night with occupancy rates of 45-65% annually. Initial investment recovery and profitability typically occurs within 18-24 months for well-positioned properties, with single-family homes requiring $15,000-25,000 in startup costs including furnishing and renovations. The market benefits from cross-border travelers, fishing enthusiasts, and summer tourists, though winter months see 30-40% lower occupancy rates. Properties purchased at Ogdensburg's median home price of $85,000-120,000 can generate gross annual revenues of $18,000-28,000, with net profits of $8,000-15,000 after expenses including utilities, cleaning, maintenance, and platform fees.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors in Ogdensburg, New York. Local real estate agents like Century 21 Bridgeview Real Estate and RE/MAX North Country have experience with investment properties in the Ogdensburg market and understand the area's proximity to the Canadian border which attracts international visitors. National services include Mashvisor, which provides Airbnb analytics and property search tools, AirDNA for market data and revenue projections, and BiggerPockets for investor networking and deal sourcing. RedAwning offers property management and investment guidance, while local property management companies like North Country Property Management can assist with ongoing operations. Real estate investment firms such as Roofstock and Awning focus on turnkey rental properties, and platforms like LoopNet and BiggerPockets Marketplace list investment opportunities. Local mortgage brokers and lenders familiar with investment property financing in St. Lawrence County can also provide valuable support for acquiring profitable Airbnb properties in this border town market.