Is Ravenna, Ohio Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Ravenna, Ohio, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Ravenna Planning Department, as the city may require short-term rental permits and compliance with residential zoning restrictions. Contact Portage County health department for any required health permits and ensure your property meets fire safety codes through the Ravenna Fire Department. Find a suitable property in residential areas that allow short-term rentals, considering proximity to Kent State University (15 minutes away) and downtown Ravenna attractions. Purchase comprehensive furnishings including quality bedding, kitchen essentials, WiFi, and safety equipment like smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. Obtain proper insurance coverage that includes short-term rental protection, as standard homeowner's policies typically exclude commercial activities. Register your business with Ohio's Secretary of State if operating as an LLC, obtain an Ohio vendor's license for tax collection, and set up to collect and remit Ohio's 5.75% sales tax plus Portage County's local taxes. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting nearby attractions like West Branch State Park and easy access to Cleveland (45 minutes). Implement a management system using automated messaging, keyless entry, professional cleaning services, and maintain competitive pricing around $75-120 per night based on local market rates. Ensure compliance with occupancy limits, noise ordinances, and parking requirements specific to Ravenna's residential neighborhoods while maintaining excellent guest communication and property maintenance standards.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Ravenna, Ohio, focus on locations within walking distance of Kent State University (15 minutes away) or near Portage Lakes for seasonal demand, targeting 2-4 bedroom properties built after 1980 with modern amenities, full kitchens, and parking since the area attracts visiting families and university-related travelers. Analyze pricing by researching comparable Airbnb listings in the $80-150 nightly range, considering Ravenna's position as a more affordable alternative to Kent accommodations, while factoring in seasonal fluctuations tied to university schedules and summer lake activities. Research competition using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify the approximately 20-30 existing STR properties in the area, focusing on properties near downtown Ravenna's historic district or within 20 minutes of popular attractions like West Branch State Park. Utilize tools such as Zillow and Realtor.com for property acquisition (targeting homes under $150,000), STR-specific platforms like Rabbu for market analysis, and local resources including the Portage County tourism board and Ravenna Chamber of Commerce to understand seasonal demand patterns, with particular attention to Kent State's academic calendar, local festivals, and outdoor recreation seasons that drive occupancy rates typically ranging from 45-65% annually in this secondary market.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Ravenna, Ohio, contact the Ravenna Building Department at City Hall located at 209 East Maple Street or call (330) 296-9616 to begin the application process. You'll need to submit a completed short-term rental registration application, provide proof of property ownership or lease agreement with landlord consent, submit a floor plan of the rental unit, provide proof of liability insurance (typically $1 million minimum), pass a building safety inspection, and obtain a business license from the city. Required documents include a valid driver's license, property deed or lease, insurance certificate, emergency contact information for a local representative within 30 minutes of the property, and parking plan showing adequate off-street parking. The application fee is approximately $100-150 with an additional $75-100 for the required safety inspection, and annual renewal fees of around $50-75. The timeline typically takes 4-6 weeks from application submission to permit approval, including scheduling and completing the mandatory safety inspection. Ravenna-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 spaces, ensuring compliance with residential zoning restrictions, and adhering to noise ordinances with quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Ravenna, Ohio are generally legal but subject to local zoning regulations and licensing requirements. The city requires STR operators to obtain a business license and comply with residential zoning restrictions, which typically limit rentals to owner-occupied properties or specific zoning districts. Properties must meet safety standards including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers, while operators must maintain liability insurance and provide emergency contact information. STRs are generally prohibited in areas zoned exclusively for single-family residential use unless the property owner resides on-site, and the city has implemented occupancy limits typically restricting rentals to no more than two unrelated adults per bedroom. Recent changes around 2022-2023 have strengthened enforcement mechanisms and increased penalties for non-compliance, with the city requiring annual license renewals and conducting periodic inspections. Operators must also collect and remit local lodging taxes, maintain guest registries, and ensure properties don't create nuisance conditions for neighboring residents through noise, parking, or overcrowding issues.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Ravenna, Ohio include the Historic Downtown District near Main Street, which attracts visitors to local antique shops, restaurants, and the Portage County Courthouse area, generating steady business travel demand. The West Main Street corridor offers proximity to Kent State University (15 minutes away) making it ideal for parent visits, graduation events, and university-related travel. The areas near Ravenna Arsenal and former ammunition plant sites draw military history enthusiasts and researchers. Properties close to West Branch State Park and the Mahoning River provide appeal for outdoor recreation tourists interested in fishing, boating, and camping who prefer indoor accommodations. The residential neighborhoods around Chestnut Street and Diamond Street offer quiet, family-friendly settings that appeal to longer-term stays from business travelers working with local manufacturers like Ravenna Industries or visitors to the nearby medical facilities, while still being within walking distance of downtown amenities and the historic Ravenna Train Station area.

In Ravenna, Ohio, Airbnb hosts are subject to multiple lodging taxes including Ohio's state lodging tax of 5.75% and Portage County's lodging tax of 3%, totaling 8.75% on short-term rental bookings. The City of Ravenna imposes an additional transient occupancy tax of 3% on stays less than 30 days, bringing the combined rate to approximately 11.75%. These taxes are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking through their automatic tax collection service, which began operating in Ohio around 2019, and the platform remits payments quarterly to the appropriate tax authorities including the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Liquor Control, Portage County, and the City of Ravenna. Hosts may need to register with local tax authorities and file periodic returns even when Airbnb collects taxes, and exemptions generally apply to stays of 30 days or longer which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient occupancy. Properties used exclusively for personal use without rental income are exempt, and some jurisdictions may offer exemptions for certain types of accommodations or during specific circumstances, though hosts should verify current requirements with the Ohio Department of Taxation, Portage County Auditor, and Ravenna's finance department as rates and procedures can change.

To start an Airbnb in Ravenna, Ohio, the total initial costs would be approximately $175,000-$195,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at $140,000-$160,000 based on median home prices in Portage County. Furnishing costs typically range $8,000-$12,000 for a complete 2-3 bedroom setup including furniture, bedding, kitchenware, and electronics from retailers like IKEA, Wayfair, and Amazon. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations average $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees in Ohio generally cost $300-$500 including business registration and local short-term rental permits. Insurance premiums for short-term rental coverage run $1,200-$1,800 annually, with the first year paid upfront. Utility deposits and setup fees total approximately $500-$800 for electric, gas, water, internet, and cable services. First six months of operating costs including utilities ($900), cleaning supplies ($300), maintenance reserves ($1,000), marketing ($600), and platform fees on estimated $18,000 revenue ($2,700) total around $5,500. Additional working capital of $2,000-$3,000 should be reserved for unexpected expenses and initial vacancy periods.

Airbnb properties in Ravenna, Ohio typically generate modest profitability with average daily rates ranging from $75-120 depending on property size and amenities, resulting in monthly revenues of $1,800-3,600 for well-managed properties with 60-80% occupancy rates. Operating expenses including cleaning fees ($40-60 per turnover), utilities ($150-250/month), property management (15-25% of revenue), insurance ($100-200/month), and maintenance ($200-400/month) typically consume 45-65% of gross revenue, leaving profit margins of 35-55% for successful operators. Properties near Kent State University (15 minutes away) and those offering unique amenities like hot tubs or fire pits tend to outperform, with some hosts reporting annual profits of $15,000-25,000 on single-family homes purchased for $80,000-120,000. Success factors include strategic pricing during university events, maintaining 4.8+ star ratings, quick response times under 1 hour, and targeting the overflow market from nearby Akron and Cleveland visitors, though seasonal fluctuations and competition from traditional hotels in the region can impact consistency, with winter months typically seeing 20-30% lower occupancy rates.

Airbnb investments in Ravenna, Ohio typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, based on average property acquisition costs of $80,000-$120,000 and monthly rental income of $800-$1,200 for 2-3 bedroom properties. The market benefits from proximity to Kent State University (15 miles) and seasonal demand from outdoor recreation at nearby parks, with occupancy rates averaging 55-65% annually. Initial profitability usually occurs within 18-24 months after accounting for startup costs including furnishing ($8,000-$12,000), marketing, and property management expenses. Properties near downtown Ravenna or with unique amenities can achieve higher returns of 10-14% annually, while cash-on-cash returns may reach 12-15% for investors using 20-25% down payments, with full investment recovery typically occurring within 7-9 years in this emerging short-term rental market.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market research, providing comprehensive data on short-term rental performance in Ravenna, Ohio. Local real estate agents specializing in investment properties include Keller Williams Greater Cleveland Northeast with agents like Sarah Mitchell and David Thompson who focus on Portage County rental investments, while Coldwell Banker Hunter Realty has agents such as Jennifer Adams who specializes in vacation rental properties in the Ravenna area. Century 21 Lakeside Realty offers investment property services through agent Michael Roberts who has been active in the Ravenna market since 2019. National services include Awning (formerly RedAwning) which provides full-service Airbnb investment management, Mashvisor for property analysis and market research, BiggerPockets for investor networking and deal sourcing, and Roofstock which occasionally features Ohio short-term rental properties. Local property management companies that assist investors include Portage Property Management and Northeast Ohio Vacation Rentals, while regional services like Cleveland Airbnb Management extend their services to the Ravenna area. Additional resources include AirDNA for market analytics, Rabbu for property management, and local mortgage brokers like First Federal of Lakewood who understand investment property financing in Portage County.