Is Rogers, Arkansas Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Rogers, Arkansas, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Rogers Planning Department, as the city requires short-term rental permits and compliance with residential zoning restrictions that typically limit rentals to no more than 30% of units in certain areas. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from Rogers City Hall, a short-term rental permit (approximately $100-200 annually), and ensure compliance with Arkansas state tax requirements including sales tax registration. Find a suitable property in residential zones that allow short-term rentals, focusing on areas near downtown Rogers, Pinnacle Hills, or near Beaver Lake for tourist appeal, with properties typically ranging from $150,000-400,000. Furnish the property with quality furniture, linens, kitchen essentials, and amenities like WiFi, smart TV, and local guidebooks, budgeting approximately $10,000-25,000 for a complete setup. List your property on Airbnb and other platforms like VRBO, setting competitive rates based on local market research showing average nightly rates of $75-150 depending on size and location. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, responding promptly to inquiries, coordinating key exchanges through lockboxes or smart locks, maintaining the property regularly, and ensuring compliance with Rogers' noise ordinances and parking requirements while collecting and remitting the required 11.5% combined state and local taxes on rental income.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Rogers, Arkansas, focus on locations within 10-15 minutes of major attractions like Crystal Bridges Museum, downtown Bentonville, and Lake Atalanta, as well as properties near the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport and corporate headquarters of Walmart and Tyson Foods. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or condos built after 1990 with modern amenities, outdoor spaces, parking, and high-speed internet, as business travelers and families visiting the area prefer these features. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify properties where potential STR revenue exceeds traditional rental income by 40-60%, typically finding sweet spots in the $150,000-$300,000 purchase range that can generate $100-200 per night. Research competition by analyzing existing Airbnb and VRBO listings within a 3-mile radius, identifying gaps in amenities or underserved locations, and noting that Rogers has moderate STR competition compared to nearby Bentonville. Utilize tools like Rabbu, STR Helper, and local MLS data through Realtor.com, while connecting with Rogers-area real estate agents familiar with STR regulations and zoning requirements, and monitor the Benton County planning department for any regulatory changes that could impact short-term rental operations.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Rogers, Arkansas, you must first contact the Rogers Planning Department at City Hall located at 308 West Walnut Street to determine if short-term rentals are permitted in your specific zoning district, as Rogers requires a conditional use permit for STRs in most residential areas. Submit an application for a conditional use permit along with a site plan, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, Arkansas sales tax permit, liability insurance documentation (minimum $1 million coverage), and a $500 application fee. The application process typically takes 45-60 days and includes a public hearing before the Planning Commission where neighboring property owners are notified. Once approved, you must also register with the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration for state tax collection, obtain a Rogers business license ($50 annually), and comply with specific Rogers requirements including maximum occupancy limits of 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, designated parking spaces, 24-hour contact information posted on-site, and adherence to noise ordinances with quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM. Annual renewal of the conditional use permit is required with a $200 fee, and the property is subject to periodic inspections to ensure compliance with safety codes and permit conditions.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in Rogers, Arkansas, but operate under specific regulations established by the city. Rogers requires STR operators to obtain a business license and comply with zoning restrictions that generally limit short-term rentals to certain residential areas while prohibiting them in some neighborhoods. The city has implemented occupancy limits, parking requirements, and noise ordinances that STR properties must follow. Property owners must also ensure their rentals meet safety standards and may face restrictions on the number of guests and vehicles allowed. Rogers has been actively updating its STR regulations in recent years, around 2020-2022, to balance the growing vacation rental market with neighborhood concerns about noise, traffic, and housing availability. The city requires registration of all STR properties and has established complaint procedures for residents, with potential penalties for non-compliant operators including fines and license revocation.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Rogers, Arkansas include the downtown Rogers district near the Walmart AMP amphitheater, which attracts thousands of concert-goers and event attendees throughout the year, creating strong seasonal demand. The Pinnacle Hills area is highly attractive due to its proximity to major corporate headquarters including Walmart, JB Hunt, and Tyson Foods, generating consistent business travel demand, plus it's near premium shopping and dining at Pinnacle Hills Promenade. The War Eagle Creek and Beaver Lake vicinity offers excellent potential for vacation rentals targeting outdoor enthusiasts, fishing, and lake recreation visitors. Areas near the Northwest Arkansas Mall and I-49 corridor provide good accessibility for travelers visiting multiple Northwest Arkansas cities like Bentonville and Fayetteville. The historic downtown Rogers area near the Frisco Station Museum and Railyard Park appeals to tourists interested in local culture and events, while neighborhoods within 10-15 minutes of Crystal Bridges Museum in nearby Bentonville capture overflow demand from that major attraction's visitors.

In Rogers, Arkansas, Airbnb hosts are subject to both state and local lodging taxes. The Arkansas state sales tax of 6.5% applies to short-term rental accommodations, along with the state tourism tax of 2% on lodging stays. Rogers imposes a local hotel/motel tax of approximately 3% on short-term rentals, bringing the total occupancy tax burden to around 11.5%. These taxes are typically collected from guests at the time of booking through Airbnb's automatic tax collection system, which remits payments directly to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration for state taxes and to Rogers city officials for local taxes on a monthly basis. Hosts must register with the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration and obtain a sales tax permit, while also registering with Rogers for local tax collection purposes. Stays of 30 days or longer are generally exempt from these occupancy taxes as they're considered long-term rentals rather than transient accommodations, and certain government and military travelers may qualify for exemptions with proper documentation.

To start an Airbnb in Rogers, Arkansas, expect total costs around $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at approximately $160,000-$180,000 based on median home prices in Rogers as of 2023. Furnishing costs typically range $8,000-$12,000 for a complete 2-3 bedroom setup including furniture, appliances, linens, and decor from retailers like IKEA, Wayfair, and local stores. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations average $2,000-$3,500. Permits and fees in Rogers include business license ($50-$100), short-term rental permit ($200-$400), and potential HOA approval costs totaling $500-$800. Insurance premiums for short-term rental coverage run $1,200-$2,000 annually, with first-year payment required upfront. Utility deposits and setup fees for electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable total approximately $800-$1,200. First six months operating costs including utilities ($150/month), cleaning supplies ($100/month), maintenance reserves ($200/month), platform fees (3% of bookings estimated at $300/month), and marketing budget ($100/month) total roughly $4,500-$5,500, assuming moderate booking activity during the initial period.

Airbnb properties in Rogers, Arkansas typically generate annual revenues between $15,000-$35,000 for entire homes, with average daily rates ranging from $75-$120 depending on property size and amenities. Operating expenses generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($25-40 per turnover), property management (10-20% of revenue), utilities ($150-250 monthly), insurance ($1,200-2,000 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $2,000-4,000 yearly. Properties near Pinnacle Hills Promenade and the Razorback Sports complexes command premium rates, with some hosts reporting 65-75% occupancy rates and net profit margins of 15-25% after all expenses. Success factors include proximity to Walmart corporate headquarters (major business travel driver), University of Arkansas sporting events, and outdoor recreation areas like Devil's Den State Park. A typical 3-bedroom home purchased for $200,000 in Rogers can generate $25,000 gross revenue with $15,000 in expenses, yielding $10,000 net profit (5% return on investment), though properties with hot tubs, game rooms, or within 10 miles of Bentonville's Crystal Bridges Museum often achieve 20-30% higher revenues due to increased demand from corporate travelers and tourists.

Based on Rogers, Arkansas 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 city. Properties near Pinnacle Hills Promenade and the downtown area tend to perform better, with investors commonly seeing 14-16% annual returns. The average timeframe to profitability is 6-12 months after initial setup and marketing optimization, with many investors achieving positive cash flow within the first quarter of operation. Higher-end properties with 3+ bedrooms near corporate housing demand from companies like Walmart (headquartered nearby in Bentonville) often achieve the upper range of returns at 16-18% annually, while smaller 1-2 bedroom units typically see 10-14% returns. Market data from 2022-2024 shows consistent occupancy rates of 65-75% with average daily rates between $85-140 depending on property amenities and seasonal demand from business travelers and tourists visiting Northwest Arkansas attractions.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties in Rogers, Arkansas, providing market analysis and investment metrics. Local real estate agents specializing in Airbnb investments in Rogers include Coldwell Banker Harris McHaney & Faucette, RE/MAX Real Estate Results, and Crye-Leike Realtors who have experience with investment properties in the Bentonville-Rogers metro area. National services like Awning, RedAwning, and AirDNA offer market data and property management solutions for Rogers investors. Mashvisor provides investment property analysis tools specifically for short-term rentals in Arkansas markets including Rogers. Local property management companies such as NWA Property Management and Ozark Mountain Property Management offer Airbnb management services for investors. BiggerPockets marketplace and Roofstock occasionally feature Rogers-area properties suitable for short-term rental conversion. Real estate investment firms like HomeVestors and local investor groups through the Northwest Arkansas Real Estate Investors Association provide networking and deal flow opportunities for Airbnb property acquisitions in Rogers.