Is Rockport, Utah Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Rockport, Utah, begin by researching Summit County's short-term rental regulations, which typically require a business license and conditional use permit for properties operating as vacation rentals for less than 30 days. Contact Summit County Planning Department to obtain the necessary Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and business license, which may cost $200-500 and require neighbor notification and public hearings. Find a suitable property in Rockport, considering proximity to Rockport State Park and seasonal tourism patterns, with properties ranging from $400,000-800,000 for cabins or homes near the reservoir. Ensure the property meets county health and safety requirements including proper septic systems, water access, and fire safety measures. Furnish the property with outdoor recreation gear, fishing equipment, and seasonal amenities suitable for the area's boating and fishing tourism, budgeting $15,000-30,000 for complete furnishing. Create listings on Airbnb, VRBO, and other platforms highlighting proximity to Rockport Reservoir, Jordanelle State Park, and Park City activities, with rates typically ranging $150-400 per night depending on season and property size. Implement management systems including 24/7 guest communication, coordinate with local cleaning services in the Coalville/Park City area, establish relationships with maintenance providers familiar with rural Utah properties, and ensure compliance with Summit County's occupancy limits and noise ordinances while maintaining proper insurance coverage for short-term rentals.

For identifying profitable STR properties in Rockport, Utah, focus on properties within 1-2 miles of Rockport State Park and Rockport Reservoir, as proximity to water activities drives 70-80% of bookings in this market. Target 3-4 bedroom cabins or homes with outdoor amenities like hot tubs, fire pits, and boat parking, as these command $200-350/night compared to $120-180 for basic properties. Analyze pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify properties generating $40,000-60,000 annually, with cap rates of 8-12% being realistic in the 2023-2024 market. Research competition by monitoring the 50-75 active STRs in the area through Airdna, focusing on properties with 4.8+ star ratings and 80%+ occupancy rates during peak season (May-September). Utilize tools like Rabbu, STRAnalytics, and local MLS data through Realtor.com, while connecting with Summit County planning department for zoning compliance and short-term rental permit requirements. Properties priced between $400,000-700,000 with mountain or water views typically offer the best ROI, especially those built after 2000 with modern amenities and reliable internet for remote workers extending stays.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Rockport, Utah, contact the Summit County Planning Department at 60 North Main Street, Coalville, UT 84017, as Rockport falls under Summit County jurisdiction. Submit a Conditional Use Permit application along with a site plan showing the property layout, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, a business license application, proof of liability insurance (minimum $1 million coverage), septic and water system approvals if applicable, and a parking plan demonstrating adequate off-street parking for guests. The application fee is approximately $500-750 for the conditional use permit plus $100-200 for the business license. The process typically takes 60-90 days including a public hearing before the Planning Commission and potential County Council review. Specific Rockport requirements include maintaining the property's residential character, providing at least two parking spaces per rental unit, ensuring compliance with septic system capacity limits due to the rural nature of the area, obtaining annual renewals, and adhering to occupancy limits based on bedroom count (typically 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional). You must also register with the Utah State Tax Commission for transient room tax collection and may need additional approvals from the Bear River Health Department for water and wastewater systems.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Rockport, Utah are generally legal but subject to Summit County regulations since Rockport is an unincorporated community. Summit County allows STRs with proper licensing and registration, requiring operators to obtain a business license, pay transient room taxes, and comply with health and safety standards. Properties must meet occupancy limits based on bedrooms and parking availability, maintain noise ordinances, and provide emergency contact information. The county implemented stricter regulations around 2019-2020 including caps on the number of STR permits in certain areas and enhanced enforcement mechanisms. Rockport's location near recreational areas makes it popular for vacation rentals, but operators must ensure compliance with county zoning requirements and may face restrictions in residential neighborhoods. Recent changes have focused on balancing tourism revenue with community concerns about housing availability and neighborhood character, with the county periodically reviewing and updating STR ordinances to address emerging issues.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Rockport, Utah are primarily concentrated around Rockport State Park and the Rockport Reservoir shoreline, which attract year-round visitors for fishing, boating, camping, and water sports activities. The neighborhoods along the eastern shore of the reservoir, particularly near the state park entrance, offer prime locations due to their proximity to boat launches and scenic water views that command premium nightly rates from families and fishing enthusiasts. The areas around Highway 32 corridor provide excellent accessibility while maintaining the rural mountain atmosphere that draws visitors from Salt Lake City and Park City seeking a quieter alternative to busier resort towns. Properties near the Wanship area, just south of Rockport, benefit from overflow tourism from nearby Park City events and Sundance Film Festival attendees looking for more affordable accommodations, while still being within 30 minutes of major ski resorts. The northern sections near the Weber River inlet are particularly attractive for fly fishing enthusiasts and offer potential for higher occupancy rates during peak fishing seasons from spring through fall, with winter guests drawn to ice fishing and the area's proximity to world-class skiing at Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley.

Airbnb properties in Rockport, Utah are subject to multiple lodging taxes including Utah's state transient room tax of 4.25% and a local transient room tax that varies by county, with Summit County (where Rockport is located) typically charging around 3-4% for short-term rentals. These taxes apply to rentals of less than 30 consecutive days and are collected from guests at the time of booking, with Airbnb automatically collecting and remitting state taxes for hosts in Utah since 2019, while local taxes may require separate registration and remittance by individual hosts depending on local agreements. Hosts must register with the Utah State Tax Commission and obtain a sales tax license, filing monthly or quarterly returns depending on volume, and may also need to register separately with Summit County for local tax collection. Exemptions typically include stays of 30 days or longer, government employees on official business, and certain non-profit organization stays, though hosts should verify current rates and requirements as tax obligations can change and local jurisdictions may have specific collection agreements with platforms like Airbnb.

To start an Airbnb in Rockport, Utah, expect total costs around $485,000-$565,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at $400,000-$450,000 for a median vacation rental property in this rural Utah area near recreational lakes. Furnishing costs typically range $25,000-$35,000 for a complete setup including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and outdoor equipment suitable for the area's fishing and boating activities. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, welcome materials, and basic renovations total approximately $8,000-$12,000. Permits and fees in Summit County include business license ($150), transient room tax registration ($100), and potential HOA approvals, totaling around $500-$1,000. Insurance costs run $2,500-$4,000 annually for short-term rental coverage. Utilities including electricity, water, sewer, internet, and seasonal heating average $300-$500 monthly. First six months operating costs encompass utilities ($1,800-$3,000), cleaning services ($2,400-$3,600), maintenance and supplies ($1,500-$2,500), platform fees to Airbnb and VRBO ($2,000-$4,000 assuming 40% occupancy), marketing ($1,000), and miscellaneous expenses ($1,000-$2,000), totaling approximately $9,700-$16,100 for the initial operating period.

Airbnb properties in Rockport, Utah, demonstrate strong profitability potential due to the area's proximity to Jordanelle Reservoir and Park City ski resorts, with typical short-term rental properties generating $45,000-$75,000 annually in gross revenue. Operating expenses including property management (10-15%), cleaning fees ($75-125 per turnover), utilities ($200-400 monthly), insurance ($1,500-2,500 annually), and maintenance typically consume 35-45% of gross revenue, resulting in net profit margins of 25-35% for well-managed properties. Success factors include proximity to water activities and ski access, with lakefront cabins commanding $250-400 nightly rates during peak summer months and $180-280 during ski season, while standard properties average $150-250 nightly. Properties within 2 miles of Jordanelle State Park consistently achieve 70-85% occupancy rates, with owners like those operating 3-bedroom cabins near the marina reporting annual profits of $25,000-$35,000 after expenses. The market benefits from year-round demand driven by summer water sports, winter skiing at nearby Deer Valley and Park City Mountain, and corporate retreats, though success requires active management, professional photography, and strategic pricing during peak seasons when daily rates can increase 40-60% above off-season pricing.

Airbnb investments in Rockport, Utah typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% due to the area's proximity to Rockport State Park and seasonal tourism from boating, fishing, and winter sports activities. Cash-on-cash returns generally range from 8-14% annually, with properties near the reservoir commanding premium rates of $150-300 per night during peak summer months (June-September) and winter ski season. Most investors achieve profitability within 18-24 months, with break-even occurring faster for properties purchased below $400,000 that can maintain 60-70% occupancy rates. The market benefits from limited hotel inventory in the immediate area, driving demand for short-term rentals, though investors should expect seasonal fluctuations with lower occupancy during shoulder months of April-May and October-November. Properties with lake views or direct water access typically outperform the market average by 3-5 percentage points in total returns.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors, offering comprehensive market analysis and property recommendations for Rockport, Utah. Local real estate agents in the Park City and Summit County area such as those with Engel & Völkers Park City, Sotheby's International Realty, and Coldwell Banker Realty have extensive experience with vacation rental properties in the Rockport region. National services like AirDNA provide detailed market analytics and revenue projections for Airbnb investments, while Mashvisor offers property analysis tools specifically for short-term rental investments. RedAwning and Vacasa provide property management services that can help investors identify and manage profitable Airbnb properties in the area. Local property management companies such as Park City Property Management and Summit County Vacation Rentals offer both acquisition assistance and ongoing management services. Additionally, platforms like BiggerPockets connect investors with local experts, and companies like Awning provide financing specifically for short-term rental investments, while local mortgage brokers familiar with investment properties in Summit County can facilitate purchases in the Rockport market.