Is Rolla, Missouri Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Rolla, Missouri, begin by researching local regulations through the Rolla City Hall (573-364-5333) as the city requires short-term rental permits and compliance with zoning ordinances, particularly in residential areas near Missouri University of Science and Technology. Obtain necessary permits including a business license ($25-50), short-term rental permit ($100-200 annually), and ensure fire safety compliance through the Rolla Fire Department. Find property by targeting areas near the university campus, downtown historic district, or residential neighborhoods like Fairground Road or Highway 63 corridor, with typical investment properties ranging $80,000-150,000 for 2-3 bedroom homes. Furnish the space with durable, mid-range furniture focusing on student and business traveler needs, budgeting $8,000-15,000 for complete furnishing including WiFi, kitchen essentials, and university-themed decor. List your property on Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com with competitive pricing around $60-120 per night depending on size and location, highlighting proximity to Missouri S&T, Mark Twain National Forest, and local attractions like Fugitive Beach. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests ($30-50 per turnover), implementing keyless entry systems, maintaining responsive communication with guests, and considering property management companies like Vacasa or local services if managing remotely, while keeping occupancy taxes (4.225% state sales tax plus local hotel tax) and income reporting requirements in mind.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Rolla, Missouri, focus on locations within 2-3 miles of Missouri University of Science and Technology campus and downtown areas, as these attract visiting parents, prospective students, and business travelers. Target 2-4 bedroom properties built after 1980 with dedicated parking, updated kitchens, reliable WiFi infrastructure, and outdoor spaces, as these features command premium rates in university towns. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against existing STRs, aiming for properties that can generate $80-150 per night during peak university events and $50-80 during regular periods. Research competition by analyzing occupancy rates and reviews of current listings within 5 miles, identifying gaps in amenities or locations underserved by existing hosts. Utilize Zillow, Realtor.com, and local MLS data through Phelps County real estate agents to identify properties under $200,000 that can achieve 15-25% annual returns, while checking Rolla city ordinances for STR regulations and using tools like Rabbu or Awning for market analysis specific to smaller Missouri markets where data may be limited compared to major metropolitan areas.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Rolla, Missouri, you must first contact the Rolla City Clerk's office at City Hall located at 901 North Elm Street to inquire about business license requirements, as Rolla typically requires short-term rentals to obtain a general business license rather than a specific STR permit. You'll need to submit a completed business license application, provide proof of property ownership or lease agreement, submit a site plan or property description, obtain a certificate of occupancy if required, and provide proof of liability insurance with minimum coverage of $300,000. The application fee is approximately $50-75 annually, and you may need to pay additional inspection fees of around $25-50. The timeline for approval is typically 2-4 weeks after submitting all required documents. Rolla-specific requirements include compliance with residential zoning regulations, maintaining adequate parking spaces (usually 1-2 spaces per unit), ensuring the property meets fire safety codes, and potentially limiting the number of guests based on bedroom count. You must also register with the Missouri Department of Revenue for tax collection purposes and may need to contact Phelps County for any additional county-level requirements. The property must pass any required safety inspections, and you'll need to renew your business license annually while maintaining compliance with all local ordinances and noise regulations.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Rolla, Missouri, as the city has not implemented a comprehensive ban on such accommodations. However, STR operators must comply with existing zoning regulations and business licensing requirements, with most residential areas allowing STRs as accessory uses to primary residences. The city requires STR operators to obtain proper business licenses and adhere to occupancy limits, parking requirements, and noise ordinances that apply to all residential properties. Properties in certain historic districts or areas with restrictive covenants may face additional limitations, and operators must ensure compliance with state tax collection requirements for lodging. As of recent years, Rolla has taken a relatively permissive approach compared to larger Missouri cities, though property owners should verify current zoning compliance and may need to register their properties with the city depending on the specific location and type of rental operation.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Rolla, Missouri center around the Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) campus district, particularly neighborhoods within 1-2 miles of the university such as the Historic Downtown area along Kingshighway and Pine Street, which attracts visiting parents, prospective students, and academic conference attendees year-round. The Southside residential area near Highway 63 and Martin Springs Drive offers excellent potential due to proximity to both the university and major employers like Brewer Science and Fort Leonard Wood (45 minutes away), drawing business travelers and military families. The North Rolla area around Bishop Avenue and Forum Drive is attractive for its newer housing stock and easy highway access, appealing to corporate visitors to local tech companies and Missouri S&T research facilities. Downtown Rolla's historic district benefits from the annual St. Pat's celebration (one of the largest in the Midwest), Homecoming events, and graduation ceremonies, while also serving business travelers visiting the university's numerous engineering and technology partnerships with companies like Boeing, Caterpillar, and ExxonMobil who regularly send employees for training and collaboration.

In Rolla, Missouri, Airbnb hosts are subject to both state and local lodging taxes. The Missouri state sales tax of 4.225% applies to short-term rental accommodations, along with Phelps County's local sales tax which brings the combined rate to approximately 7.225%. Additionally, Rolla imposes a local lodging tax of 3% on transient accommodations, making the total tax burden around 10.225% on gross rental receipts. These taxes are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking through their automated tax collection system, which began in Missouri around 2018. Airbnb remits the collected state sales tax directly to the Missouri Department of Revenue and local taxes to the appropriate municipal authorities on behalf of hosts. However, hosts may still need to register with local tax authorities and file periodic returns even when Airbnb handles collection. Exemptions generally apply to stays exceeding 30 consecutive days, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient accommodations, and certain government or charitable organization bookings may qualify for exemptions under specific circumstances.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Rolla, Missouri is approximately $180,000-$220,000. Property purchase costs around $140,000-$160,000 based on median home prices in the area. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $8,000-$12,000 for quality furniture, appliances, linens, and decor. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations total $2,000-$4,000. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and inspection fees cost $300-$800. Insurance premiums for short-term rental coverage run $1,200-$2,000 annually. Utility deposits and connections for electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable cost $500-$800. First six months operating costs including utilities ($600/month), cleaning supplies ($100/month), maintenance reserves ($200/month), platform fees on bookings ($300/month), and marketing expenses ($150/month) total approximately $8,100. Additional considerations include property taxes, HOA fees if applicable, and a cash reserve for unexpected repairs or vacancy periods.

Airbnb properties in Rolla, Missouri show moderate profitability potential with average daily rates ranging from $65-95 for typical 2-3 bedroom homes, generating approximately $18,000-28,000 in annual gross revenue assuming 60-70% occupancy rates driven by Missouri University of Science and Technology visitors, business travelers, and tourists exploring the Ozark region. Operating expenses typically consume 40-50% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($25-40 per turnover), utilities ($150-200 monthly), property management (15-25% if outsourced), insurance ($800-1,200 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $2,000-3,500 yearly. Net profit margins generally range from 15-25% for well-managed properties, with successful hosts like those operating renovated historic homes near downtown Rolla or modern properties within 10 minutes of the university campus achieving higher occupancy rates and premium pricing. Key success factors include strategic location within 5 miles of MST campus, professional photography, responsive guest communication, consistent 4.8+ star ratings, and competitive pricing that undercuts local hotels by 20-30% while offering amenities like full kitchens, parking, and pet-friendly policies that appeal to the area's mix of academic visitors, outdoor enthusiasts, and corporate guests from the region's manufacturing and technology sectors.

Airbnb investments in Rolla, Missouri typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, primarily driven by demand from Missouri University of Science and Technology students, visiting families, and business travelers to the area's engineering and technology companies. Properties near the university campus or downtown area can achieve occupancy rates of 65-75% annually, with average daily rates of $85-120 depending on property size and amenities. Initial profitability usually occurs within 18-24 months after accounting for startup costs, furnishing, and marketing expenses, while properties purchased in 2020-2022 have shown stronger performance due to increased remote work trends and university enrollment growth. The market benefits from limited hotel inventory and consistent demand from Phelps County's industrial base including companies like Brewer Science and various defense contractors, though seasonal fluctuations occur during summer months when university demand decreases.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market research, providing comprehensive data on short-term rental performance in Rolla, Missouri. Local real estate agents specializing in investment properties include Coldwell Banker Hubbell BriarWood in Rolla, Century 21 Integrity Group, and RE/MAX Professionals, with agents like those at Rolla Realty Group focusing on rental property investments since 2018. National services include Awning (formerly RedAwning) which has been helping investors identify profitable short-term rental markets since 2016, Mashvisor offering property analysis tools, and AirDNA providing market data and revenue projections for the Rolla area. Local property management companies like Ozark Mountain Property Management and Show-Me Rentals assist with Airbnb operations, while national platforms such as AvantStay and RedAwning offer full-service investment solutions. Additional services include BiggerPockets for investor networking, Roofstock for turnkey rental properties, and local mortgage brokers like First State Community Bank who understand investment property financing in the Rolla market.