Is Parkersburg, West Virginia Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Parkersburg, West Virginia, begin by researching local regulations through the Parkersburg City Planning Department and Wood County offices, as West Virginia generally allows short-term rentals but municipalities may have specific zoning requirements and business license mandates. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from Parkersburg City Hall (typically $25-50 annually), ensure your property meets fire safety codes, and register for state tax collection with the West Virginia State Tax Department for the 6% sales tax plus any local occupancy taxes. Find a suitable property in desirable areas like downtown Parkersburg near the Ohio River, Southwood, or near Fort Boreman Park, considering proximity to attractions like Blennerhassett Island and the historic downtown district. Furnish the space with quality basics including comfortable beds, linens, towels, kitchen essentials, WiFi, and local guidebooks highlighting nearby attractions like the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum and North Bend State Park. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos showcasing the property's best features, competitive pricing around $60-120 per night depending on size and location, and detailed descriptions emphasizing proximity to the Ohio River and local attractions. Manage your property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, maintaining responsive communication, coordinating key exchanges or installing smart locks, and building relationships with local cleaning services and maintenance contractors to ensure consistent guest experiences and positive reviews.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Parkersburg, West Virginia, focus on locations near the Ohio River waterfront, downtown historic district, and proximity to major employers like DuPont and Chemours facilities, as well as areas within 10-15 minutes of Interstate 77 for easy access. Target 2-4 bedroom properties built after 1950 with modern amenities, full kitchens, parking, and outdoor spaces, particularly those with river views or historic charm that can command premium rates of $80-150 per night. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to evaluate average daily rates, occupancy rates (typically 45-65% in secondary markets), and seasonal demand patterns, while researching competition through Airbnb and VRBO searches within 5-mile radius to identify gaps in amenities or pricing. Monitor local events at Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park, Point Park, and corporate travel demand from the chemical industry corridor to understand booking patterns. Utilize tools like Rabbu, AllTheRooms, and local MLS data through Zillow and Realtor.com, while connecting with Parkersburg tourism boards and local real estate agents familiar with the Wood County market to identify emerging neighborhoods and regulatory considerations for short-term rentals.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Parkersburg, West Virginia, you must first contact the Parkersburg Planning Department at City Hall located at 1 Government Square to determine current zoning compliance, as short-term rentals may require conditional use permits in certain residential zones. Submit an application to the Business License Division including a completed business license application, property deed or lease agreement, floor plan showing maximum occupancy, proof of liability insurance (typically $1 million minimum), fire safety inspection certificate from the Parkersburg Fire Department, and health department approval if serving food. Required documents also include a site plan, parking plan showing adequate off-street parking, and neighbor notification forms within 300 feet of the property. Application fees typically range from $150-300 for the business license plus $200-500 for conditional use permits if required, with additional inspection fees of $75-150. The approval timeline generally takes 30-60 days depending on zoning requirements and whether public hearings are necessary. Parkersburg-specific requirements include maintaining a local contact person available 24/7, limiting occupancy to 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, providing adequate parking (typically 1 space per bedroom), and ensuring compliance with residential noise ordinances between 10 PM and 7 AM.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Parkersburg, West Virginia, as the city has not enacted specific prohibitions against vacation rental properties. However, STR operators must comply with standard business licensing requirements, zoning regulations that may restrict commercial activities in certain residential areas, and state tax obligations including transient occupancy taxes. The city follows West Virginia state guidelines which allow STRs but require proper registration and tax collection through the state's tourism department. Properties must meet basic safety and habitability standards, and some residential zoning districts may have restrictions on the frequency or duration of short-term rentals. As of recent years, there have been discussions at the municipal level about implementing more specific STR regulations similar to other West Virginia cities, but no major restrictive ordinances have been passed specifically targeting short-term rental operations in Parkersburg, making it relatively permissive compared to more restrictive markets.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Parkersburg, West Virginia include the Historic Downtown District along Market Street and Juliana Street, which attracts visitors to the Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park and offers proximity to restaurants, shops, and the Ohio River waterfront activities. The Southwood neighborhood near Camden Clark Medical Center is ideal for medical tourism and business travelers visiting the hospital or nearby corporate offices. The Vienna-Parkersburg Bridge area provides scenic river views and easy access to both West Virginia and Ohio attractions, appealing to tourists exploring the Mid-Ohio Valley region. The Fort Boreman area offers elevated views and proximity to the historic fort site, attracting history enthusiasts and outdoor recreation visitors. The Riverside Industrial District, while less scenic, serves business travelers visiting the chemical plants and industrial facilities including DuPont operations in the region, with demand from contractors, consultants, and corporate visitors who prefer short-term rentals over traditional hotels for extended stays.

In Parkersburg, West Virginia, Airbnb hosts are subject to the state's Consumer Sales and Service Tax at a rate of 6% on lodging accommodations, plus an additional 1% state tourism tax, for a total of 7% in state taxes. Wood County imposes a local hotel occupancy tax of 3%, bringing the combined tax rate to approximately 10% on short-term rental bookings. These taxes are collected either directly by Airbnb through their automatic tax collection service for participating jurisdictions or must be collected by hosts and remitted monthly to the West Virginia State Tax Department and Wood County's tax office by the 15th of the following month. Hosts must register for a business registration certificate with the state and obtain any required local business licenses from the City of Parkersburg. Exemptions typically apply to stays exceeding 30 consecutive days, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient lodging, and some exemptions may apply for certain government or charitable organization bookings. Hosts are required to maintain detailed records of all bookings and tax collections for audit purposes, and failure to properly collect and remit these taxes can result in penalties and interest charges from both state and local tax authorities.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Parkersburg, West Virginia is approximately $185,000-$225,000. Property purchase costs around $125,000-$150,000 based on median home prices in the area as of 2023-2024. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $15,000-$25,000 for quality furniture, appliances, linens, and decor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations total $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and tax registration cost approximately $500-$1,000 annually. Insurance for short-term rental coverage runs $2,000-$3,000 per year, significantly higher than standard homeowner's insurance. Utilities including electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable average $200-$300 monthly or $1,200-$1,800 for six months. First six months operating costs including cleaning services ($150 per turnover), maintenance, supplies, platform fees (3% Airbnb commission), property management software, and marketing total approximately $8,000-$12,000, assuming 60-70% occupancy rates typical for the Parkersburg market.

Airbnb properties in Parkersburg, West Virginia typically generate modest returns with average daily rates ranging from $65-$95 and occupancy rates around 45-60% annually, resulting in gross revenues of $10,000-$18,000 per year for a typical 2-bedroom property. Operating expenses including cleaning fees ($25-35 per turnover), utilities ($150-200 monthly), property management (15-25% of revenue), insurance ($800-1,200 annually), and maintenance costs typically consume 40-55% of gross revenue, leaving net profit margins between 25-40% for well-managed properties. Success factors in this market include proximity to the Ohio River waterfront, competitive pricing below Charleston rates, professional photography, and targeting business travelers visiting local industries like DuPont's Washington Works facility or oil and gas operations in the Mid-Ohio Valley region. Properties near downtown Parkersburg or Fort Boreman Park tend to outperform suburban listings, with some hosts reporting annual net profits of $6,000-$12,000 on properties with acquisition costs under $150,000, though seasonal fluctuations and competition from budget hotels like Hampton Inn can impact consistency throughout the year.

Based on Parkersburg, West Virginia market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% depending on property type and location within the city. Properties near the Ohio River or downtown historic district tend to perform better, with average daily rates of $75-95 and occupancy rates around 55-65% annually. Initial profitability usually occurs within 18-24 months after accounting for startup costs, furnishing, and marketing expenses. The market benefits from business travelers visiting companies like DuPont and Chemours, plus tourists exploring the Mid-Ohio Valley region. Properties purchased in the $80,000-120,000 range with 20-25% down payments typically see monthly cash flows of $300-600 after expenses including property management, utilities, cleaning, and maintenance costs.

STRSearch is a national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties across markets including Parkersburg, West Virginia. Local real estate agents like those at Coldwell Banker Realty and RE/MAX Clarity in Parkersburg have experience with investment properties and can assist with Airbnb acquisitions in the area. National services include Awning, which provides end-to-end Airbnb investment services, and RedAwning, which offers property management and investment guidance. AirDNA provides market data and analytics for short-term rental investments in smaller markets like Parkersburg. Local property management companies such as Mountain State Property Management can handle day-to-day operations once properties are acquired. BiggerPockets, while primarily an educational platform, connects investors with local professionals in West Virginia markets. Roofstock and Arrived Homes occasionally feature properties in secondary markets that could work for short-term rentals. Local mortgage brokers like First United Bank & Trust, which has a strong presence in Parkersburg, can provide financing options for investment properties. Real estate investment groups in the Charleston-Huntington area sometimes extend services to the Parkersburg market for Airbnb investments.