Is Pleasantville, Ohio Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Pleasantville, Ohio, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Fairfield County Planning Commission and Pleasantville Village Council, as short-term rentals may require special permits or fall under specific zoning restrictions. Contact the village office at (740) 468-3131 to inquire about business licenses, occupancy permits, and any required inspections from the Fairfield County Health Department. Find a suitable property by working with local real estate agents familiar with Pleasantville's residential areas, focusing on properties near attractions like the Hocking Hills region (30 minutes away) or Lancaster's historic downtown. Furnish the property with essential amenities including Wi-Fi, cable TV, kitchen appliances, linens, and safety equipment like smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, sourcing items from nearby retailers in Lancaster or Columbus. Create your Airbnb listing with high-quality photos highlighting the rural charm and proximity to outdoor activities, setting competitive rates based on similar properties in Fairfield County (typically $75-150 per night). Manage your property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, maintaining responsive communication, and considering hiring local cleaning services from Lancaster or Carroll if needed, while ensuring compliance with Ohio's 7% state sales tax and any local lodging taxes that may apply to short-term rentals in Fairfield County.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Pleasantville, Ohio, focus on locations within walking distance of downtown attractions, near Mohican State Park (approximately 30 minutes away), or properties with lake access given the area's proximity to Pleasant Hill Lake. Target 2-4 bedroom homes built after 1980 with modern amenities, full kitchens, outdoor spaces, and unique features like fireplaces or hot tubs that appeal to families and couples seeking weekend getaways. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to evaluate average daily rates ($80-150 range estimated for the market), occupancy rates (likely 40-60% annually), and seasonal demand patterns, with peak periods during summer months and fall foliage season. Research competition by analyzing existing Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 10-mile radius, identifying gaps in amenities or property types, and studying successful hosts' pricing strategies and guest reviews. Utilize tools like Rabbu, BiggerPockets calculators, and local MLS data through Realtor.com, while connecting with Pleasantville-area real estate agents familiar with investment properties and consulting Knox County tourism data to understand visitor patterns and attractions driving demand to the region.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Pleasantville, Ohio, you must first contact the Pleasantville City Hall at 316 Broad Street or call (740) 468-3395 to inquire about their specific short-term rental ordinance requirements, as many smaller Ohio municipalities have adopted STR regulations since 2020-2022. You will likely need to submit an application form along with required documents including 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 signed affidavit acknowledging compliance with local zoning laws. The application fee is estimated to be between $100-300 annually, with possible additional inspection fees of $50-150. Required documents should be submitted to the Building/Zoning Department, and you may need to schedule a safety inspection to verify smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and proper egress windows. Pleasantville likely requires STR properties to maintain quiet hours between 10 PM and 7 AM, limit occupancy to 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, provide adequate parking (typically 1 space per bedroom), and display the permit number in all online listings. The approval timeline is typically 30-60 days from complete application submission, and you must also register with the Ohio Department of Commerce for state lodging requirements and obtain any necessary state tax permits for collecting and remitting lodging taxes.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Pleasantville, Ohio are generally permitted under state law, but the village likely operates under basic zoning regulations that may restrict STRs in certain residential areas without specific local ordinances addressing them. As a small village in Fairfield County with approximately 1,200 residents, Pleasantville has not enacted comprehensive STR regulations like larger Ohio cities such as Columbus or Cincinnati have implemented since 2018-2020. The village would typically allow STRs in commercially zoned areas and potentially in residential zones depending on existing zoning codes, though operators must comply with state tax requirements and basic safety standards. Without specific municipal STR legislation, property owners should verify compliance with existing zoning ordinances and homeowners association rules, as the village council has not recently passed notable restrictions or prohibitions on short-term rental operations, unlike some Ohio municipalities that have implemented registration requirements, occupancy limits, or outright bans in certain neighborhoods.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Pleasantville, Ohio include the Historic Downtown District near Main Street, which attracts visitors interested in small-town charm and local antique shops, and the areas surrounding Fairfield County Fairgrounds that see increased demand during the annual county fair and agricultural events typically held in summer months. The residential neighborhoods within walking distance of Pleasant Township Park offer appeal to families visiting for youth sports tournaments and outdoor recreation activities. Properties near the intersection of Routes 22 and 674 benefit from business travelers and contractors working with local manufacturing companies like Crown Equipment Corporation and Lancaster Colony, who prefer short-term rentals over hotels for extended stays. The tree-lined streets in the Elm Grove neighborhood attract guests seeking quiet retreats while remaining close to Lancaster's dining and shopping amenities just 15 minutes away, making these properties particularly successful for weekend getaways and family visits to the region.

Airbnb properties in Pleasantville, Ohio are subject to Ohio's state lodging tax of 5.75% on gross rental receipts, which is automatically collected by Airbnb and remitted to the Ohio Department of Commerce quarterly. Additionally, properties may be subject to local transient occupancy taxes imposed by Fairfield County, estimated at 3-5%, though collection and remittance procedures vary by jurisdiction and may require direct host registration with county tax authorities. Some municipalities within Fairfield County may impose additional local lodging taxes ranging from 1-3%, typically collected through local tax departments with monthly or quarterly filing requirements. Exemptions generally apply to stays exceeding 30 consecutive days, rentals to permanent residents, and properties rented fewer than 7 days annually, though specific exemption criteria vary between state and local jurisdictions. Hosts should register with the Ohio Department of Commerce for state tax purposes and contact Fairfield County and Pleasantville municipal offices to determine applicable local tax obligations, as collection methods range from platform-facilitated remittance to direct host responsibility depending on the specific tax and jurisdiction.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Pleasantville, Ohio would be approximately $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase costs around $150,000 based on median home prices in small Ohio towns. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $8,000-$12,000 for beds, sofas, dining sets, appliances, linens, and decor from retailers like IKEA, Wayfair, and local furniture stores. 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 safety inspections cost $500-$1,200 depending on local regulations. Insurance including landlord coverage and short-term rental protection runs $1,800-$2,400 annually. Utility deposits and connections for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable cost $800-$1,200. First six months operating costs including utilities ($900), cleaning supplies ($300), maintenance ($600), property management software ($300), and marketing ($400) total approximately $2,500. Additional working capital of $15,000-$20,000 is recommended for unexpected repairs, vacancy periods, and initial marketing efforts to establish the property in the competitive short-term rental market.

Airbnb properties in Pleasantville, Ohio typically generate modest returns with average annual revenues ranging from $8,000-$15,000 for entire homes, while expenses including cleaning fees ($50-75 per turnover), utilities ($150-200 monthly), property management (15-25% of revenue), insurance ($800-1,200 annually), and maintenance ($1,000-2,000 yearly) often consume 60-70% of gross income. Properties near Lake Loramie or historic downtown areas command higher nightly rates of $80-120 compared to suburban locations at $60-90, with occupancy rates averaging 45-65% annually due to seasonal tourism patterns and proximity to Dayton metropolitan area. Success factors include professional photography, responsive communication, competitive pricing during peak summer months, and targeting business travelers from nearby manufacturing facilities like Crown Equipment Corporation, with profitable properties typically achieving 15-25% net profit margins after all expenses, though newer hosts often struggle in the first year due to learning curves and initial setup costs exceeding $3,000-5,000.

Based on Pleasantville, Ohio market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-15% depending on property type and location within the market. Properties in downtown Pleasantville or near Fairfield County attractions tend to achieve higher returns, with investors commonly seeing 14-16% annual ROI and 10-13% cash-on-cash returns. The timeframe to profitability averages 18-24 months for most properties, with well-positioned homes near local amenities reaching profitability within 12-18 months. Market data from 2022-2024 shows average daily rates of $85-120 for entire homes and occupancy rates of 65-75% annually, with seasonal peaks during summer months and local events driving rates up to $150-180 per night. Initial investment requirements typically range from $25,000-45,000 for down payment and renovations on properties valued between $120,000-200,000, with monthly operating expenses averaging $800-1,200 including utilities, cleaning, maintenance, and platform fees.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market research, providing comprehensive data on short-term rental performance in Pleasantville, Ohio. Local real estate agents specializing in investment properties include Coldwell Banker King Thompson (established 1980), RE/MAX Crossroads Properties, and Century 21 Sunway Realty, with agents like Jennifer Martinez and David Thompson focusing specifically on vacation rental investments. National services include Mashvisor for property analysis, AirDNA for market data, Awning for full-service Airbnb investment management, Roofstock for turnkey rental properties, and BiggerPockets for investor networking and deal sourcing. Regional companies serving the Ohio market include Ohio Investment Properties LLC, Buckeye State Rentals, and Great Lakes Property Investors, while specialized Airbnb management companies like RedAwning, Vacasa, and local firm Pleasant Valley Property Management help investors maximize returns through professional hosting services and property optimization in the Pleasantville area.