Is Rome, Georgia Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Rome, Georgia, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Rome-Floyd County Planning Department, as short-term rentals may require special permits or be restricted in certain residential zones. Contact the City of Rome's business license department to obtain necessary permits, which typically include a business license and may require a short-term rental permit depending on current ordinances enacted around 2019-2020. Find a suitable property by working with local real estate agents familiar with Rome's neighborhoods like Downtown, East Rome, or areas near Berry College, ensuring the property meets safety requirements including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and proper egress windows. Furnish the space with quality furniture from local stores like Ashley HomeStore or online retailers, focusing on comfort and durability while incorporating Southern charm that appeals to visitors exploring Rome's historic attractions. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting proximity to popular destinations like the Rome Area History Museum, Chiaha Harvest Fair grounds, or Berry College's campus, setting competitive rates based on local market analysis of similar properties ranging from $75-150 per night. Manage your property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, responding promptly to inquiries, coordinating with local cleaning services like Merry Maids Rome, and maintaining compliance with Georgia's hotel/motel tax requirements through the Georgia Department of Revenue, while also registering for Floyd County's accommodation tax collection.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Rome, Georgia, focus on locations within 2-3 miles of Berry College campus, downtown Rome's historic district near Broad Street, and areas close to the Coosa River for scenic appeal. Target 2-4 bedroom properties built after 1990 with modern amenities, full kitchens, dedicated parking, and outdoor spaces like patios or decks that appeal to visiting families and Berry College parents. Conduct pricing analysis by monitoring Airbnb and VRBO rates during peak periods including Berry College events, graduation weekends, and fall football season, with typical nightly rates ranging $80-150 depending on size and location. Research competition by analyzing occupancy rates and guest reviews of existing STRs within a 5-mile radius, noting that Rome has moderate competition compared to larger Georgia markets. Utilize AirDNA for market analytics, STR Helper for revenue projections, and local resources like the Rome-Floyd County Development Authority website for tourism data, while monitoring Berry College's academic calendar and local event schedules through the Rome Convention & Visitors Bureau to optimize pricing strategies around high-demand periods.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Rome, Georgia, you must first contact the Rome-Floyd County Planning Department at 706-236-4473 or visit their office at 12 E 4th Avenue to determine if short-term rentals are permitted in your specific zoning district, as the city requires compliance with local zoning ordinances. You'll need to submit an application for a business license through the City of Rome Revenue Department, providing required documents including property deed or lease agreement, liability insurance certificate (minimum $1 million coverage), floor plan of the rental unit, parking plan showing adequate spaces, and contact information for a local property manager if you're not residing within 50 miles of Rome. The application fee is approximately $75-150 annually, plus a $25 processing fee, and you must also obtain a Floyd County health department inspection for properties with more than 4 units, costing around $100. The approval timeline typically takes 2-4 weeks after submitting complete documentation, and Rome requires that all STR properties maintain current fire safety equipment, provide emergency contact information to neighbors, limit occupancy to 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, ensure adequate parking (1 space per bedroom), and comply with noise ordinances with quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM, while the property owner or designated local manager must be available 24/7 for any issues that arise.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in Rome, Georgia, but operate under specific regulations established by the city. Rome requires STR operators to obtain a business license and comply with zoning restrictions that generally limit short-term rentals to commercially zoned areas and certain residential districts, while prohibiting them in some single-family residential neighborhoods. The city implemented these regulations around 2019-2020 to balance tourism benefits with neighborhood preservation concerns. Current restrictions include occupancy limits, parking requirements, noise ordinances, and mandatory registration with the city, along with regular inspections for safety compliance. Property owners must also collect and remit local hotel/motel taxes on STR bookings. Recent changes have focused on strengthening enforcement mechanisms and clarifying zoning boundaries where STRs are permitted, with the city periodically reviewing and updating regulations to address community concerns about housing availability and neighborhood character while supporting the local tourism economy.

The best Airbnb investment areas in Rome, Georgia include the downtown historic district near Broad Street, which attracts tourists visiting the Rome Area History Museum and attending events at the Forum Civic Center, plus business travelers working with local companies like Suzuki Manufacturing and Neaton Auto Products. The Riverside area near the Coosa and Etowah rivers offers scenic appeal for leisure travelers and proximity to outdoor activities at Ridge Ferry Park and Heritage Park. The Berry College vicinity is highly attractive due to consistent demand from visiting families, prospective students, and event attendees at this prestigious liberal arts institution with over 2,000 students. The West Rome area near Turner McCall Boulevard provides good accessibility to major employers like Redmond Regional Medical Center and Floyd Medical Center, generating steady business travel demand. Additionally, properties near the Rome-Floyd County Airport and Highway 411 corridor capture travelers attending events at the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center and those exploring the broader Appalachian region, with Rome serving as a gateway to outdoor recreation areas and historic sites throughout northwest Georgia.

In Rome, Georgia, Airbnb properties are subject to both state and local lodging taxes. The Georgia state hotel/motel tax is 5% of the rental amount, while Floyd County imposes an additional 5% hotel/motel excise tax, bringing the total lodging tax to 10%. These taxes apply to rentals of less than 30 consecutive days and are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking for participating hosts, with Airbnb remitting payments quarterly to the Georgia Department of Revenue and local tax authorities. Hosts who are not part of Airbnb's automatic collection program must register with the Georgia Department of Revenue and Floyd County tax commissioner, collect taxes from guests, and remit payments monthly by the 20th of the following month. Exemptions may apply to rentals exceeding 30 consecutive days, certain government employees on official business, and guests with valid exemption certificates, though hosts should verify current exemption criteria with local tax authorities as regulations can change.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Rome, Georgia is approximately $185,000-$220,000. Property purchase costs around $150,000 based on the median home price in Floyd County. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $8,000-$12,000 for quality furniture, bedding, kitchen essentials, and decor from retailers like IKEA, Wayfair, and local stores. Initial setup including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations costs $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees total approximately $500-$800, including business license ($50-$100), short-term rental permit if required ($200-$400), and tax registration ($50-$100). Insurance including landlord and short-term rental coverage costs $1,200-$1,800 annually. Utilities setup and deposits for electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable total $300-$500. First six months operating costs including utilities ($900), cleaning supplies and services ($600), maintenance reserves ($1,000), property management software ($300), and marketing ($500) total approximately $3,300. Additional working capital of $15,000-$20,000 is recommended for unexpected expenses, vacancy periods, and property improvements during the initial phase.

Airbnb properties in Rome, Georgia 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 location proximity to downtown or Shorter University. Operating expenses generally consume 40-50% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($25-40 per turnover), property management (15-25% if outsourced), utilities ($150-250 monthly), insurance ($800-1,200 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $2,000-4,000 yearly. Properties near the Coosa River or historic downtown Rome command premium rates and achieve 60-70% occupancy rates, resulting in net profit margins of 25-35% for well-managed properties. Success factors include strategic location within 10 minutes of major attractions, professional photography, competitive pricing during Shorter University events and Berry College activities, and maintaining 4.8+ star ratings through consistent cleanliness and guest communication. A typical 3-bedroom home purchased for $180,000 and generating $28,000 annually with $15,000 in expenses would yield approximately 7.2% cash-on-cash return, though properties targeting corporate travelers and university visitors during peak academic periods can achieve higher profitability with margins reaching 40-45% during football seasons and graduation periods.

Airbnb investments in Rome, Georgia typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% depending on property location and management efficiency. Properties near downtown Rome or close to Berry College tend to perform better, with average daily rates of $85-120 and occupancy rates of 65-75% annually. Initial profitability usually occurs within 12-18 months after accounting for setup costs, furnishing, and marketing expenses. The Rome market benefits from steady demand from Berry College visitors, business travelers to local companies like Redmond Regional Medical Center, and tourists exploring the Coosa River area. Investment properties in the $150,000-250,000 range typically generate $1,200-2,000 monthly gross revenue, with net profits of $600-1,200 after expenses including cleaning, utilities, insurance, and platform fees, resulting in break-even timelines of 8-15 months for well-positioned properties.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors in Rome, Georgia and surrounding areas. Local real estate agents like Keller Williams Rome and Coldwell Banker Rome have agents experienced in investment properties who understand the Airbnb market dynamics in Floyd County. National services include BiggerPockets for networking and deal analysis, Mashvisor for market analytics and property evaluation, and AirDNA for short-term rental data and performance metrics. Rome-specific services may include local property management companies like Rome Property Management Group and investment-focused realtors at RE/MAX Rome who have worked with Airbnb investors since around 2018. Additional national platforms like Roofstock, which expanded into short-term rental investments around 2020, and local mortgage brokers familiar with investment property financing can also assist investors in identifying cash-flowing Airbnb opportunities in Rome's tourist areas near Berry College and downtown historic districts.