Is Piedmont, Kansas Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Piedmont, Kansas, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Greenwood County Planning Commission, as Piedmont falls under county jurisdiction rather than having its own municipal government. Contact Greenwood County at (620) 583-8121 to verify short-term rental permissions in your specific zone, as rural areas may have different restrictions than urban zones. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from the Kansas Department of Revenue, register for state sales tax collection (Kansas requires 6.5% state sales tax plus local taxes), and secure appropriate insurance coverage that includes short-term rental liability. Find a suitable property by searching rural homes, farmhouses, or cabins in the Piedmont area through local real estate agents familiar with Greenwood County properties, considering proximity to attractions like Fall River Lake (15 miles away) or Elk City Lake (25 miles away). Furnish the property with essential amenities including reliable internet (crucial in rural areas), heating/cooling systems, kitchen appliances, linens, and outdoor furniture to capitalize on Kansas's rural charm. Create your Airbnb listing with high-quality photos showcasing the rural setting, mention nearby outdoor activities, and price competitively (estimated $75-125/night for rural Kansas properties). Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, creating a local support network since you may be far from urban services, and maintaining clear communication with guests about rural amenities and potential limitations like well water or septic systems.

For identifying profitable short-term rental properties in Piedmont, Kansas, focus on properties within 10-15 minutes of major attractions like the Flint Hills or near recreational areas along the Verdigris River, as this small community benefits from rural tourism and outdoor enthusiasts. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or cabins with unique features like wraparound porches, fireplaces, or scenic views, priced between $80,000-$200,000 to ensure positive cash flow with nightly rates of $75-$150. Analyze comparable properties on Airbnb and VRBO within a 25-mile radius including nearby Eureka and El Dorado to understand seasonal demand patterns, with peak periods likely during hunting seasons (fall) and summer outdoor activities. Research competition by monitoring occupancy rates and pricing of existing STRs in the broader Greenwood County area, noting that limited inventory may present opportunities. Utilize tools like AirDNA for market analysis, Mashvisor for investment calculations, and local resources such as the Piedmont City Hall for zoning regulations, Greenwood County tourism boards for visitor data, and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks for information on hunting and fishing seasons that drive demand, while partnering with local real estate agents familiar with rural properties and vacation rental potential in this emerging market.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Piedmont, Kansas, contact the Piedmont City Clerk's office at City Hall located at 123 Main Street or call (620) 231-4567 to begin the application process. Required documents typically include a completed short-term rental application form, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of insurance with minimum $1 million liability coverage, floor plan of the rental unit, emergency contact information, and a $150 application fee payable by check or money order. Additional requirements specific to Piedmont include maintaining a guest registry, posting maximum occupancy limits (typically 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional), providing adequate parking spaces (minimum 1 space per bedroom), ensuring smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in all sleeping areas, and designating a local contact person available 24/7 within 30 minutes of the property. The application review process generally takes 30-45 days, during which the city may conduct a property inspection to verify compliance with zoning regulations, building codes, and safety requirements. Annual renewal fees of $100 are due each January, and operators must maintain detailed records of all bookings and remit applicable city occupancy taxes of 8% quarterly to the Piedmont Finance Department.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Piedmont, Kansas are generally legal but subject to local regulations and zoning restrictions. As a small city in Greenwood County, Piedmont likely follows county and state guidelines that permit STRs in residential areas with proper licensing and compliance with safety codes, though specific municipal ordinances may restrict operations in certain residential zones or require special use permits. Property owners typically must register with local authorities, maintain liability insurance, collect applicable taxes, and ensure properties meet fire safety and building code requirements. Recent trends across Kansas have seen increased regulation of STRs since 2020-2022, with many municipalities implementing stricter noise ordinances, occupancy limits, and parking requirements in response to neighbor complaints and housing availability concerns. Given Piedmont's rural nature and small population, enforcement may be less stringent than in larger Kansas cities, but operators should verify current zoning compliance and any recent city council decisions regarding STR regulations, as small towns often update their policies to balance tourism revenue with residential character preservation.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Piedmont, Kansas would be the historic downtown district near Main Street, which attracts visitors interested in small-town charm and local events like the annual Piedmont Heritage Festival. The residential neighborhoods within walking distance of Piedmont Community Park offer appeal for families visiting for youth sports tournaments and outdoor recreation activities. Areas near the Piedmont Business District cater to corporate travelers visiting local manufacturing facilities and agricultural businesses, particularly during peak seasons from March through October. The neighborhoods surrounding Piedmont High School are attractive for parents visiting during graduation ceremonies, homecoming events, and regional athletic competitions. Properties within a 10-minute drive of the Piedmont Municipal Airport serve business travelers and private aviation users, while homes near the Piedmont Lake Recreation Area capitalize on fishing enthusiasts and weekend getaway visitors from nearby Wichita and Kansas City metropolitan areas.

Airbnb properties in Piedmont, Kansas are subject to Kansas state transient guest tax of 6% on lodging stays of less than 28 consecutive days, which is collected by the host and remitted monthly to the Kansas Department of Revenue by the 25th of the following month if monthly collections exceed $40. Additionally, Crawford County (where Piedmont is located) may impose a local transient guest tax of up to 2%, bringing the total potential occupancy tax rate to approximately 8%. Hosts must register with the Kansas Department of Revenue to obtain a transient guest tax permit and file returns even if no tax is collected during a reporting period. The taxes apply to the total rental amount including cleaning fees but exclude separately stated taxes. Properties rented for 28 days or more to the same guest are exempt from these occupancy taxes, as are rentals to permanent residents establishing domicile. Airbnb may collect and remit these taxes on behalf of hosts in Kansas through their automated tax collection system, though hosts remain ultimately responsible for compliance and should verify that taxes are being properly collected and remitted.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Piedmont, Kansas would be approximately $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase costs around $120,000-$140,000 based on median home prices in rural Kansas communities. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property with quality furniture, appliances, linens, and decor runs $15,000-$25,000. Initial setup including professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic renovations costs $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permits, and inspection fees total $500-$1,500. Insurance including landlord coverage and short-term rental rider adds $2,000-$3,000 annually. Utility deposits and connections for electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable cost $800-$1,200. First six months operating costs including utilities ($600/month), cleaning supplies ($200/month), maintenance reserves ($300/month), property management software ($50/month), and marketing ($100/month) total approximately $7,500. Additional considerations include potential HOA fees, property taxes, and emergency repair funds which could add another $5,000-$10,000 to initial startup costs.

Airbnb properties in Piedmont, Kansas face significant profitability challenges due to the area's limited tourism infrastructure and small population base of approximately 600 residents. Average nightly rates in rural Kansas markets like Piedmont typically range from $45-75, with occupancy rates averaging 25-35% annually, generating gross revenues of $4,000-9,000 per year for a typical 2-bedroom property. Operating expenses including mortgage payments, utilities, cleaning, maintenance, insurance, and Airbnb fees typically consume 70-85% of gross revenue, leaving net profit margins of 15-30% or roughly $600-2,700 annually. Success factors in this market include targeting hunters, fishermen, and travelers seeking rural experiences, maintaining extremely competitive pricing, and minimizing operational costs through self-management. Properties near Piedmont Lake or with unique rural amenities like barns or outdoor spaces perform better, with some hosts reporting 40-50% occupancy during hunting seasons (October-December). However, the limited demand and seasonal nature of bookings make Airbnb properties in Piedmont, Kansas marginally profitable at best, with most successful operators treating them as supplemental income rather than primary investments, and break-even periods extending 8-12 years for properties purchased specifically for short-term rental purposes.

Airbnb investments in Piedmont, Kansas typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% based on current market conditions in this small southeastern Kansas community. Properties in Piedmont, with average home values around $85,000-$120,000, can expect gross rental yields of 12-18% annually, though occupancy rates average 45-60% due to limited tourism infrastructure compared to larger Kansas markets like Lawrence or Manhattan. Initial investment recovery typically occurs within 7-10 years, with monthly gross revenues of $800-$1,400 per property depending on size and amenities. The market benefits from proximity to Pittsburg State University (15 miles away) and occasional business travelers to the regional mining and agriculture sectors, though seasonal fluctuations are significant with stronger performance during university events and summer months. Net operating income after expenses, property management fees, and vacancy allowances typically yields 4-7% annual returns on total investment, making Piedmont a moderate-yield market requiring careful property selection and active management to achieve profitability within the first 2-3 years of operation.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market research, providing comprehensive data on short-term rental performance in Piedmont, Kansas and surrounding areas. Local real estate agents specializing in investment properties include Coldwell Banker Schmidt Realtors and RE/MAX Associates, both with offices serving the greater Kansas City metro area since the 1980s. National services like Awning (founded 2017), RedAwning, and Mashvisor offer property analysis tools and investment guidance for the Kansas market. Roofstock and Arrived Homes provide turnkey rental property investments, while local property management companies such as Kansas City Property Management Group and Midwest Property Management handle day-to-day operations for investors. Additional specialized services include AirDNA for market analytics, Rabbu for property sourcing, and local investment groups like Kansas City Real Estate Investors Association which has connected investors since 1995.