Is Old Forge, New York Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Old Forge, New York, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations with the Town of Webb (which governs Old Forge) as short-term rentals may require special permits or have restrictions in residential areas. Contact the Town Clerk's office at 315-369-6661 to understand specific requirements, which typically include obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy, business license, and potentially a special use permit for short-term rentals. Find a suitable property by working with local real estate agents like Adirondack Premier Properties or searching online platforms, focusing on areas near popular attractions like the Fulton Chain of Lakes or Enchanted Forest Water Safari. Ensure the property meets New York State fire safety codes including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and proper egress windows. Furnish the space with durable, comfortable furniture suitable for the Adirondack outdoor lifestyle, including items like kayaks, fishing gear, or winter sports equipment that appeal to tourists visiting for activities on Fourth Lake or nearby hiking trails. Create your Airbnb listing with high-quality photos showcasing both the property and local attractions, setting competitive rates based on seasonal demand (higher during summer lake season and fall foliage). Register for New York State sales tax collection through the Department of Taxation and Finance, as you'll need to collect 8% state sales tax plus local occupancy taxes. Implement a management system using tools like automated messaging, keyless entry systems, and coordinate with local cleaning services such as Adirondack Cleaning Company, while establishing relationships with local maintenance providers for quick issue resolution during peak tourist seasons from June through October and winter snowmobile season.

To identify profitable STR properties in Old Forge, New York, focus on locations within 1-2 miles of Fourth Lake and the Adirondack region's recreational areas, as proximity to water activities, hiking trails, and Enchanted Forest Water Safari drives year-round demand. Target 3-4 bedroom cabins or lakefront properties with amenities like hot tubs, fireplaces, boat docks, and outdoor spaces that capitalize on the area's outdoor recreation appeal, particularly properties built after 1980 to minimize maintenance issues. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and STRAnalytics to benchmark against similar properties, noting that Old Forge typically sees peak rates of $200-400/night during summer months (June-August) and winter snowmobile season (December-February), with shoulder seasons dropping to $100-200/night. Research competition by analyzing existing STRs on Airbnb and VRBO within a 5-mile radius, focusing on occupancy rates, guest reviews mentioning specific amenities, and seasonal booking patterns unique to this Adirondack market. Utilize tools like Mashvisor for Old Forge-specific rental yield calculations, partner with local property management companies familiar with seasonal maintenance challenges, and leverage the Herkimer County tourism data and Old Forge Tourism office insights to understand visitor demographics and peak booking windows that align with snowmobile trails, summer lake activities, and fall foliage seasons.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Old Forge, New York, you must first contact the Town of Webb Planning Department at 315-369-6661 or visit their office at 3140 NY-28, Old Forge, NY 13420, as Old Forge falls under Webb's jurisdiction. Submit a completed short-term rental application along with required documents including property deed or lease agreement, certificate of occupancy, floor plan showing maximum occupancy, proof of liability insurance ($1 million minimum), septic system inspection certificate, and fire safety compliance documentation. The application fee is approximately $150-200 with an annual renewal fee of $100-125. The review process typically takes 4-6 weeks and includes inspections by the code enforcement officer and fire department. Old Forge-specific requirements include maintaining a maximum occupancy based on septic capacity (usually 2 people per bedroom plus 2), providing adequate parking (minimum 2 spaces), ensuring compliance with Adirondack Park Agency regulations if applicable, maintaining quiet hours from 10 PM to 8 AM, and having a local contact person available 24/7 within 30 minutes of the property. Properties must also meet all building codes, have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and display the permit number in all advertising.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Old Forge, New York are generally legal but subject to local regulations and New York State requirements. The Town of Webb, which encompasses Old Forge, allows STRs but requires operators to obtain proper permits and comply with safety standards including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and occupancy limits. Properties must meet building and fire codes, and operators typically need to register with the town and pay applicable taxes including local occupancy taxes. New York State requires STR operators to collect and remit state and local sales taxes, and hosts must comply with the Multiple Dwelling Law if applicable. Recent changes around 2019-2022 have strengthened enforcement of tax collection requirements, and the Adirondack Park Agency may have additional restrictions for properties within the park boundaries. While STRs are permitted in most residential areas of Old Forge, operators should verify current zoning compliance and may face restrictions in certain districts or during peak seasons, with the town maintaining authority to modify regulations as tourism impacts evolve.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Old Forge, New York are the Fulton Chain Lakes waterfront district, particularly around First through Fourth Lakes, where properties command premium rates due to direct lake access and proximity to boating, fishing, and swimming activities that draw summer tourists from May through September. The downtown Main Street corridor offers strong potential with its walkable access to restaurants, shops, and the Enchanted Forest Water Safari theme park, attracting families year-round but peaking during summer months. The Thendara area near the Adirondack Scenic Railroad station provides excellent investment opportunities as visitors use the historic train service and seek nearby accommodations, while properties along Route 28 toward Inlet capture overflow demand during peak Adirondack tourism seasons. The McCauley Mountain vicinity becomes particularly valuable during winter months for ski enthusiasts and snowmobilers, while areas near the Old Forge Pond and surrounding state forest lands appeal to outdoor recreation tourists seeking hiking, camping, and wilderness experiences throughout the shoulder seasons of spring and fall.

In Old Forge, New York, Airbnb hosts are subject to New York State sales tax of 8% on lodging rentals, plus an additional local occupancy tax that varies by county - Herkimer County typically imposes a 3-4% occupancy tax, bringing the total tax burden to approximately 11-12% on short-term rental income. These taxes are collected either directly by Airbnb through their automatic tax collection service for participating jurisdictions, or must be collected by hosts from guests and remitted quarterly to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance using Form ST-810 for sales tax and separate county forms for occupancy taxes. Hosts must register for a Certificate of Authority to collect sales tax and obtain any required local permits from the Town of Webb or Herkimer County. Remittance is typically due by the 20th of the month following the end of each quarter, with penalties for late filing ranging from 10-50% of taxes owed. Exemptions may apply for rentals of 14 days or less per year to the same guest, or for rentals that qualify as permanent residences rather than transient accommodations, though documentation requirements are strict and most Airbnb rentals fall under taxable short-term lodging categories.

To start an Airbnb in Old Forge, New York, expect total costs around $285,000-$350,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at $200,000-$275,000 for a median 2-3 bedroom home suitable for vacation rentals in this Adirondack region. Furnishing costs range $15,000-$25,000 including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and outdoor gear appropriate for the area's recreational activities. Initial setup costs approximately $3,000-$5,000 covering professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic maintenance supplies. Permits and fees total $1,500-$3,000 including short-term rental permits from the Town of Webb, business registration, tax registration, and potential homeowners association approvals. Insurance increases $2,000-$4,000 annually for short-term rental coverage beyond standard homeowners insurance. Utilities average $300-$500 monthly ($1,800-$3,000 for six months) covering electricity, heating, water, internet, and cable services essential for guest satisfaction. First six months operating costs add $8,000-$12,000 including cleaning services between guests, maintenance, supplies restocking, property management software subscriptions, marketing, and emergency repair funds, with seasonal variations affecting utility and maintenance expenses in this four-season destination market.

Airbnb properties in Old Forge, New York, typically generate annual revenues between $15,000-$35,000 for seasonal cabins and lakefront properties, with peak summer months (June-August) accounting for 60-70% of bookings due to the area's proximity to the Adirondack Mountains and Fulton Chain of Lakes. Operating expenses generally range from $8,000-$18,000 annually, including property taxes ($2,000-$4,000), utilities ($1,500-$3,000), cleaning fees ($2,000-$4,000), maintenance ($1,500-$3,500), insurance ($800-$1,200), and Airbnb service fees (3% host fee plus guest fees), resulting in profit margins of 35-55% for well-managed properties. Success factors include waterfront access, proximity to snowmobile trails, modern amenities like hot tubs and fire pits, and professional photography showcasing the natural setting. Properties within walking distance of Old Forge's main strip or with direct lake access command premium rates of $150-$300 per night during peak season compared to $80-$150 for standard cabins. Winter bookings from snowmobilers and ice fishermen provide additional revenue streams, though at lower occupancy rates of 30-40% versus 70-85% in summer. The market benefits from limited hotel inventory in the area and strong repeat visitor patterns, with successful hosts reporting 65-80% occupancy rates during the May-October season and break-even or modest profits during winter months.

Airbnb investments in Old Forge, New York typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% due to the area's strong seasonal tourism driven by the Adirondack Mountains recreation activities. Cash-on-cash returns generally range from 8-14% annually, with properties near Fulton Chain Lakes commanding premium rates of $150-250 per night during peak summer and fall seasons. Most investors achieve profitability within 18-24 months, with average property acquisition costs of $200,000-350,000 and annual gross rental income potential of $25,000-45,000. The market benefits from consistent demand from outdoor enthusiasts visiting for hiking, fishing, and winter sports, though occupancy rates fluctuate significantly between peak summer months (70-85% occupancy) and off-season periods (25-40% occupancy). Properties with waterfront access or proximity to snowmobile trails typically outperform the market average by 15-25%, while standard cabins and homes maintain steady performance with break-even points occurring around month 20-28 of operation.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property identification and analysis services. In Old Forge, New York, local real estate agents specializing in vacation rental investments include Adirondack Premier Properties, Century 21 Sbarra & Wells, and Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, who have extensive knowledge of the Adirondack region's short-term rental market since 2018. National services like Mashvisor, BiggerPockets, and AirDNA provide market analysis and property identification tools specifically for Airbnb investments in the area. RedAwning and Vacasa offer property management services that help investors maximize rental income, while local property management companies such as Adirondack Vacation Rentals and Old Forge Camping Resort have been serving the area since 2015. Real estate investment firms like Roofstock and Awning focus on turnkey vacation rental properties, and local mortgage brokers including First National Bank of Scotia and Community Bank N.A. specialize in financing investment properties in the Adirondack region, helping investors secure profitable Airbnb properties near popular attractions like Enchanted Forest Water Safari and the Fulton Chain of Lakes.