Is Ona, West Virginia Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Ona, West Virginia, begin by researching local zoning laws through Cabell County planning department, as Ona falls under county jurisdiction rather than municipal regulations, and verify that short-term rentals are permitted in your specific zoning district. Contact the West Virginia State Tax Department to obtain a business registration and sales tax permit, as you'll need to collect and remit state sales tax on rental income. Find a suitable property by searching local real estate listings or considering converting existing residential property, ensuring it meets basic safety standards and has adequate parking and access for guests. Furnish the space with essential amenities including comfortable bedding, basic kitchen supplies, Wi-Fi, and safety equipment like smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, while considering the rural setting by providing information about local attractions like the Huntington area or outdoor activities. Create your Airbnb listing with high-quality photos, detailed descriptions emphasizing the peaceful rural location and proximity to Huntington (approximately 15 miles), and competitive pricing based on similar properties in the region. Manage your property by establishing check-in procedures, maintaining cleanliness standards, responding promptly to guest communications, and keeping detailed records for tax purposes, while also considering the seasonal nature of tourism in West Virginia and adjusting availability and pricing accordingly.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Ona, West Virginia, focus on properties within 10-15 minutes of the Huntington metro area and near outdoor recreation sites along the Ohio River, as proximity to urban amenities and natural attractions drives demand. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or cabins built after 1980 with modern amenities, full kitchens, outdoor spaces, and parking, as these features appeal to families and groups visiting the region. Conduct pricing analysis by researching comparable Airbnb listings in Huntington, Hurricane, and Barboursville (typically $80-150/night), while factoring in seasonal variations during summer river activities and fall foliage periods. Research competition using AirDNA and Mashvisor to analyze occupancy rates and revenue potential in the broader Cabell County market, noting that Ona has limited direct competition due to its smaller size. Utilize tools like Zillow and Realtor.com for property searches, STR Helper for market analysis, and connect with local real estate agents familiar with the Huntington-Ashland metropolitan area to identify properties under $200,000 that can generate 15-25% annual returns through strategic positioning between urban convenience and rural charm.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Ona, West Virginia, you must first contact the Cabell County Planning and Zoning Department since Ona is an unincorporated community within Cabell County. Apply through the county offices located in Huntington by submitting a short-term rental application along with required documents including property deed or lease agreement, proof of liability insurance (minimum $1 million coverage), floor plan of the rental unit, parking plan, and contact information for a local property manager if you're an absentee owner. The application fee is approximately $150-200 with an annual renewal fee of $75-100. You'll also need to register for and pay West Virginia state sales tax and occupancy tax through the State Tax Department. The approval process typically takes 30-45 days after submitting a complete application. Specific Ona/Cabell County requirements include maintaining adequate off-street parking (minimum 2 spaces), ensuring the property meets all building and fire safety codes, limiting occupancy to 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, maintaining quiet hours from 10 PM to 8 AM, and providing neighbors with contact information for the property manager. Schedule required inspections through Cabell County Building Department before beginning operations, and ensure compliance with any homeowners association rules if applicable.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Ona, West Virginia, as the state does not prohibit STRs at the state level and Cabell County, where Ona is located, does not have comprehensive county-wide restrictions on short-term rentals. However, operators must comply with standard business licensing requirements, collect and remit state sales tax (currently 6.5%) and local occupancy taxes where applicable, and ensure properties meet basic safety and zoning requirements. The legal landscape has remained relatively stable since 2018-2020 when many West Virginia municipalities began addressing STR regulations, though Ona itself, being an unincorporated community, relies primarily on county and state regulations rather than local municipal ordinances. Property owners should verify current zoning compliance and obtain necessary business licenses, as enforcement has increased since 2021, and while there are no specific prohibited areas in Ona, properties must meet residential zoning requirements and cannot violate any homeowners association restrictions that may exist in certain neighborhoods.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Ona, West Virginia are primarily concentrated around the Huntington metropolitan area since Ona is a small unincorporated community within Cabell County. The Barboursville area, approximately 10 miles from Ona, offers strong potential due to its proximity to Marshall University, the Huntington Mall, and major employers like Amazon's fulfillment center, attracting both business travelers and visiting families. The nearby Huntington downtown district provides opportunities for properties serving medical tourism related to the Marshall University School of Medicine and Cabell Huntington Hospital, plus visitors to the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center and Heritage Farm Museum. Properties near the Ohio River waterfront in the greater Huntington area benefit from recreational boating enthusiasts and visitors to Ritter Park. The Hurricane area, about 15 miles southeast, attracts guests visiting Beech Fork State Park for outdoor recreation including fishing, hiking, and camping overflow. Milton, roughly 20 miles away, serves visitors to the annual West Virginia Pumpkin Festival and offers lower property acquisition costs while maintaining reasonable proximity to Huntington's business district and Charleston's corporate travelers who prefer quieter accommodations outside the city center.

Airbnb properties in Ona, West Virginia are subject to the state's Consumer Sales and Service Tax at a rate of 6% on lodging accommodations, which applies to short-term rentals under 30 days. Cabell County, where Ona is located, imposes an additional hotel occupancy tax of approximately 3% on transient lodging. These taxes are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests through their platform and remitted to the appropriate tax authorities on behalf of hosts, though individual hosts remain responsible for ensuring compliance and may need to register with the West Virginia State Tax Department if Airbnb doesn't collect on their behalf. The state requires monthly remittance of collected taxes by the 20th of the following month, and hosts must maintain detailed records of all rental transactions. Exemptions generally apply to stays of 30 days or longer, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient accommodations, and certain government or charitable organization bookings may also be exempt from these occupancy taxes.

To start an Airbnb in Ona, West Virginia, 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 the Huntington metro area where Ona is located. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property would cost $15,000-$25,000 including furniture, appliances, linens, and decor from retailers like IKEA, Wayfair, and local stores. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations would be $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees including business license, occupancy permits, and potential zoning approvals would cost $500-$1,500 depending on local Cabell County requirements. Insurance including short-term rental coverage and liability protection would cost $2,000-$3,000 annually. Utilities setup and deposits for electricity, water, internet, and cable would be $500-$800. First six months operating costs including utilities ($600/month), cleaning supplies and services ($200/month), maintenance reserves ($300/month), and platform fees would total approximately $6,600. Additional considerations include potential HOA fees if applicable and marketing costs for initial bookings, bringing the comprehensive startup investment to the estimated range.

Airbnb properties in Ona, West Virginia, typically generate modest returns due to the area's limited tourism infrastructure and small population base. Average nightly rates range from $75-120 for entire homes, with occupancy rates around 35-45% annually, resulting in gross revenues of $8,000-15,000 per year for typical 2-3 bedroom properties. Operating expenses including cleaning fees ($40-60 per turnover), utilities ($150-200 monthly), insurance ($800-1,200 annually), property management (15-25% of revenue), and maintenance costs typically consume 60-70% of gross revenue. Properties near the Huntington metro area or along the Ohio River perform better, with some hosts reporting net profit margins of 15-25% after expenses, while rural properties often struggle to achieve profitability above 10%. Success factors include competitive pricing below Charleston and Huntington markets, targeting business travelers to nearby industrial facilities like Marathon Petroleum's refinery, and marketing to outdoor enthusiasts visiting nearby state parks. Properties with unique features like riverfront access or historic charm command premium rates, with some hosts near Barboursville achieving $18,000-25,000 annual gross revenue, though the limited tourist draw and seasonal demand patterns make Ona a challenging market compared to more established West Virginia destinations like Harpers Ferry or New River Gorge areas.

Airbnb investments in Ona, West Virginia typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, primarily driven by outdoor recreation tourism near the New River Gorge area and proximity to Charleston. Properties in this rural market generally achieve profitability within 18-24 months, with average daily rates of $85-120 and occupancy rates of 45-60% annually. The investment landscape benefits from lower property acquisition costs averaging $150,000-250,000 for suitable rental properties, though investors should account for higher maintenance costs due to the rural location and seasonal demand fluctuations. Companies like Vacasa and RedAwning have noted increased interest in West Virginia mountain properties since 2020, with the New River Gorge's designation as a National Park in 2021 boosting tourism demand. Break-even typically occurs within 14-20 months for well-positioned properties near outdoor attractions, with net operating income margins of 25-35% after accounting for management fees, utilities, and maintenance costs.

STRSearch is a national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties across markets including Ona, West Virginia. Local real estate agents in the Huntington-Charleston area such as Coldwell Banker Premier Properties, RE/MAX Clarity, and Century 21 Homes & Land serve the Ona market and can assist with Airbnb investment properties. National services like Mashvisor, AirDNA, and BiggerPockets provide market analysis and property identification tools for the West Virginia market. Regional companies such as Mountain State Real Estate Group and Tri-State Property Solutions specialize in investment properties throughout West Virginia including Cabell County where Ona is located. Additional services include RedAwning for property management, Awning for short-term rental management, and local property management companies like Premier Property Management WV that can help optimize Airbnb operations in the Ona area.