Is South Londonderry, Vermont Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in South Londonderry, Vermont, begin by researching local zoning regulations through the Londonderry Town Office, as Vermont municipalities often require short-term rental permits and may have occupancy limits or parking requirements. Contact the Vermont Department of Health for lodging establishment permits if hosting more than two rooms, and ensure compliance with fire safety codes through the local fire department. Find a suitable property by working with local real estate agents familiar with South Londonderry's market, focusing on areas near Mount Snow or Manchester for tourist appeal, with properties typically ranging from $300,000-$800,000 depending on size and location. Furnish the space with durable, comfortable furniture from retailers like Wayfair or local Vermont stores, emphasizing cozy mountain aesthetics with items like flannel bedding, rustic décor, and essential amenities including WiFi, heating systems suitable for Vermont winters, and kitchen basics. List your property on Airbnb and VRBO platforms with professional photography highlighting mountain views, proximity to skiing, and local attractions like the West River or nearby hiking trails. For management, consider using dynamic pricing tools like PriceLabs, coordinate cleaning services through local providers, maintain the property year-round including snow removal and heating system maintenance, and provide guests with information about local restaurants, outdoor activities, and seasonal attractions while ensuring 24/7 communication availability for guest inquiries and emergencies.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in South Londonderry, Vermont, focus on locations within 10-15 minutes of Mount Snow ski resort and near the West River for summer activities, prioritizing properties with mountain or river views and easy access to Route 100. Seek 3-4 bedroom properties with modern amenities, hot tubs, fireplaces, and outdoor spaces that can accommodate 6-10 guests, as these command premium rates year-round. Analyze pricing by researching comparable Airbnb listings in the $200-400 nightly range during peak ski season (December-March) and $150-250 during summer months, calculating potential annual revenue against acquisition and operating costs. Research competition using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify supply gaps, particularly mid-week availability during ski season and shoulder season opportunities in spring and fall. Utilize Vermont-specific resources including the Vermont Department of Tourism data, local real estate agents familiar with STR regulations, and town zoning requirements, while monitoring Mount Snow's visitor statistics and event calendars to understand demand patterns, ensuring compliance with South Londonderry's short-term rental ordinances and state lodging taxes.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in South Londonderry, Vermont, contact the South Londonderry Town Clerk's office at the Town Hall located on Main Street or call (802) 824-3356 to begin the application process. You'll need to submit a completed short-term rental application form, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of liability insurance with minimum $1 million coverage naming the town as additional insured, floor plan showing maximum occupancy, septic system compliance certificate if applicable, and fire safety inspection report from the local fire department. The application fee is typically $150-200 with an annual renewal fee of $100-125. Required documents also include a site plan showing parking areas for guests, waste management plan, and contact information for a local property manager if you're an absentee owner. The approval timeline is generally 30-45 days after submitting a complete application, though it may extend to 60 days during peak season. South Londonderry specific requirements include maintaining quiet hours from 10 PM to 7 AM, providing adequate off-street parking for all guests, ensuring the property meets current building and health codes, and registering with the Vermont Department of Taxes for rooms and meals tax collection. You must also post the permit number in your online listings and maintain a guest registry on-site for inspection purposes.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in South Londonderry, Vermont, but are subject to state and local regulations that have evolved significantly since 2018. Vermont requires STR operators to register with the state, collect and remit rooms and meals tax, and comply with health and safety standards. South Londonderry, located in Londonderry Township in Windham County, falls under local zoning ordinances that may restrict STRs in certain residential areas or require conditional use permits. The town has implemented regulations requiring STR operators to obtain local permits, maintain adequate parking, manage noise and occupancy limits, and ensure properties don't negatively impact neighborhood character. Recent changes include stricter enforcement of tax collection requirements and enhanced registration processes implemented around 2019-2020. While not prohibited outright, STRs face restrictions in some residential zones and must comply with fire safety codes, septic system requirements, and parking regulations. Property owners should verify current zoning compliance and obtain necessary permits from both Londonderry Township and the Vermont Department of Taxes before operating an STR.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in South Londonderry, Vermont are concentrated around the Mount Snow ski resort area, particularly the neighborhoods near West Dover Road and Route 100 corridor, which attract year-round visitors for skiing in winter and mountain biking, hiking, and scenic drives during summer and fall foliage season. The village center of South Londonderry itself offers charm for guests seeking authentic Vermont experiences, with proximity to local farms, antique shops, and the scenic West River, making it attractive for weekend getaways and leaf-peeping tourists from September through October. Areas near the Stratton Mountain Resort access roads also present strong investment potential due to the resort's popularity among affluent visitors from New York and Boston metropolitan areas who seek luxury accommodations during peak ski season (December-March) and summer golf season. The Route 11 corridor connecting to Manchester provides additional appeal as guests can easily access premium outlet shopping, fine dining, and cultural attractions while staying in the more affordable and authentic South Londonderry area, creating demand for properties that offer both mountain recreation access and day-trip convenience to southern Vermont's tourist destinations.

In South Londonderry, Vermont, Airbnb hosts are subject to Vermont's statewide 9% rooms and meals tax on short-term rental accommodations, which applies to stays of fewer than 30 consecutive days. Additionally, hosts must collect a 1% local option tax that many Vermont municipalities have adopted, bringing the total lodging tax to approximately 10%. These taxes are collected from guests at the time of booking and must be remitted to the Vermont Department of Taxes monthly if monthly gross receipts exceed $500, or quarterly if receipts are lower. Hosts must register for a Vermont Business Account and file returns using Form RT-381 for rooms tax. Airbnb may collect and remit these taxes directly on behalf of hosts in Vermont through their tax collection service, which began around 2017-2018, though hosts should verify their specific arrangement. Exemptions typically include stays of 30 days or longer, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient accommodations, and certain government or charitable organization bookings may qualify for exemptions with proper documentation.

To start an Airbnb in South Londonderry, Vermont, expect total costs around $485,000-$565,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at $400,000-$450,000 for a median 3-bedroom home suitable for short-term rentals in this ski resort area. Furnishing costs typically range $25,000-$35,000 including beds, linens, kitchen equipment, living room furniture, and outdoor gear storage. Initial setup costs approximately $8,000-$12,000 covering professional photography, listing optimization, welcome materials, and technology like smart locks and WiFi upgrades. Vermont requires short-term rental permits and local zoning compliance costing $1,500-$3,000 annually, plus potential impact fees. Commercial insurance for short-term rentals runs $2,500-$4,000 yearly, significantly higher than standard homeowner's policies. Utilities including electricity, heating, water, internet, and cable average $400-$600 monthly in Vermont's climate. First six months operating costs total approximately $18,000-$25,000 including utilities ($2,400-$3,600), cleaning services ($3,000-$4,500), maintenance and supplies ($2,000-$3,000), property management software ($300-$600), marketing ($1,000-$2,000), and emergency repairs fund ($3,000-$5,000). Additional considerations include potential HOA fees, snow removal services essential in Vermont winters, and seasonal utility fluctuations due to heating costs.

Airbnb properties in South Londonderry, Vermont, demonstrate strong seasonal profitability with average annual revenues ranging from $25,000-$45,000 for typical 2-3 bedroom properties, driven primarily by winter ski tourism at nearby Stratton Mountain and summer outdoor recreation demand. Operating expenses typically run 40-50% of gross revenue, including property management fees (15-25%), cleaning costs ($75-125 per turnover), utilities ($200-400 monthly), insurance ($1,500-2,500 annually), and maintenance reserves, resulting in net profit margins of 25-35% for well-managed properties. Peak winter months (December-March) command nightly rates of $200-400, while summer rates average $150-250, with shoulder seasons dropping to $100-175 per night, creating occupancy rates of 60-75% for successful properties. Success factors include proximity to Stratton Mountain Resort (properties within 10 miles perform 40% better), professional photography, responsive host communication, and amenities like hot tubs, fireplaces, and ski storage, with properties managed by companies like Vacasa or local firms like Green Mountain Property Management typically outperforming owner-operated listings by 15-20% in both occupancy and revenue per available night.

Airbnb investments in South Londonderry, Vermont typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% due to the area's proximity to Stratton Mountain Resort and Mount Snow, with peak winter ski season driving occupancy rates of 65-75% and average daily rates of $180-250. Cash-on-cash returns generally range from 6-10% annually, considering the seasonal nature of the market where 60% of revenue occurs during December through March ski season and summer months of July-August. Properties in South Londonderry usually achieve profitability within 18-24 months, with initial investment costs averaging $350,000-500,000 for suitable vacation rental properties, while annual gross rental income typically ranges from $35,000-55,000 depending on property size and amenities. The market benefits from consistent demand from Boston and New York metropolitan areas, with properties located within 10 minutes of major ski resorts commanding premium rates and achieving break-even on operating expenses by month 14-20 of operation.

STRSearch is a national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties across markets including South Londonderry, Vermont. Local real estate agents serving the area include Coldwell Banker Hickok & Boardman Realty, RE/MAX North Professionals, and Century 21 Jack Associates who have experience with vacation rental properties in the Mount Snow region. National services like Awning, RedAwning, and AirDNA provide market analysis and property management specifically for Airbnb investments. Vermont-based companies such as Green Mountain Property Management and Stratton Real Estate specialize in vacation rental properties throughout southern Vermont. Additional national platforms include Mashvisor for investment property analysis, BiggerPockets for investor networking, and Vacasa for property management services, all of which serve the South Londonderry market where ski resort proximity drives strong short-term rental demand.