Is Tuttle, North Dakota Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Tuttle, North Dakota, begin by researching local zoning laws and regulations through the Kidder County Planning Commission and Tuttle City Hall, as North Dakota generally allows short-term rentals but local municipalities may have specific requirements. Contact the North Dakota Department of Health for any health permits and the North Dakota Tax Commissioner's office to understand state lodging tax obligations, which typically range from 4-7%. Find a suitable property by working with local real estate agents familiar with Tuttle's market, focusing on homes near Lake Tschida or properties with rural charm that attract visitors to the area. Obtain necessary permits including a business license from Kidder County (estimated cost $50-150), fire safety inspection if required, and register for state and local tax collection. Furnish the property with essential amenities including reliable internet, heating for harsh North Dakota winters, and outdoor equipment for lake activities. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting the rural setting and proximity to outdoor recreation, setting competitive rates around $75-125 per night based on regional comparisons. Manage the property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services in nearby Steele or Bismarck, creating a guidebook featuring local attractions like Lake Tschida Recreation Area, and maintaining responsive communication with guests while ensuring compliance with North Dakota's consumer protection laws and any evolving short-term rental regulations.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Tuttle, North Dakota, focus on properties within 2-3 miles of the town center and near Highway 83 for accessibility, as Tuttle serves as a hub for agricultural workers and oil field personnel traveling through central North Dakota. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or larger properties built after 1980 with updated kitchens, reliable heating systems, and parking for multiple vehicles, as guests often arrive with work trucks or equipment. Pricing analysis should consider the $80-150 nightly range based on seasonal agricultural demand and oil industry activity, with higher rates during planting/harvest seasons (April-May, September-October) when temporary workers flood the area. Research competition by monitoring existing rentals within a 20-mile radius including properties in Steele and Bismarck, noting that Tuttle's limited lodging options create opportunity for well-positioned STRs. Utilize AirDNA for market data, STR Sense for revenue projections, and local resources like the Kidder County Economic Development Corporation and North Dakota Tourism Division for occupancy trends, while monitoring North Dakota Bakken oil activity reports since energy sector workers represent a significant portion of potential guests in this rural market.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Tuttle, North Dakota, contact the Tuttle City Hall at 701-867-2525 or visit their office at 210 2nd Avenue SW to inquire about short-term rental licensing requirements, as this small city may not have formal STR regulations but may require a general business license. You'll likely need to submit a completed business license application, proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of insurance with minimum $1 million liability coverage, floor plan of the rental property, and contact information for a local property manager if you're not residing locally. The application fee is estimated at $50-100 annually, with potential additional inspection fees of $25-50. The approval timeline is typically 2-4 weeks after submitting complete documentation. Tuttle-specific requirements may include compliance with residential zoning restrictions, maintaining adequate parking spaces for guests, ensuring the property meets fire safety codes, and providing neighbors with contact information for noise or disturbance complaints. Since Tuttle is a small community of approximately 100 residents, you should also verify with Kidder County offices at 701-475-2632 for any county-level STR regulations that may apply, and ensure compliance with North Dakota state tax requirements by registering with the North Dakota Tax Commissioner's office for sales tax collection on rental income.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are generally legal in Tuttle, North Dakota, as the state does not prohibit STRs at the state level and most small rural communities like Tuttle (population under 200) typically do not have specific STR regulations in place. North Dakota follows a largely permissive approach to short-term rentals, with regulation primarily left to local municipalities. Given Tuttle's small size and rural nature in Kidder County, it likely operates under basic zoning ordinances that would allow residential properties to be used for short-term rentals without specific licensing requirements or operational restrictions. However, STR operators would still need to comply with standard business requirements such as collecting and remitting state sales tax (currently 5%) and potentially local lodging taxes. There have been no recent significant legal changes specifically affecting STRs in small North Dakota communities like Tuttle, though operators should verify current zoning compliance with Kidder County and ensure proper tax registration with the North Dakota Tax Commissioner's office.

Tuttle, North Dakota, being a small rural community of approximately 100 residents, has extremely limited Airbnb investment opportunities, but the most viable area would be properties near the town center along Highway 83, which serves as the main corridor connecting Bismarck (45 miles south) and Minot (60 miles north). This location could attract travelers seeking a quiet stopover between these major cities, hunters during waterfowl and upland game seasons (September-December), and visitors to nearby Lake Audubon recreation area. Properties with rural charm, hunting amenities, or proximity to agricultural operations might appeal to agritourism visitors, though the market would be highly seasonal and limited. The area near the Tuttle School could potentially serve families visiting for school events or activities, but overall, Tuttle's remote location and minimal tourism infrastructure make it a high-risk, low-reward Airbnb market compared to larger North Dakota cities like Williston, Fargo, or Bismarck.

In Tuttle, North Dakota, Airbnb properties are subject to North Dakota's state lodging tax of 4% on gross receipts from accommodations, which applies to stays of less than 30 consecutive days. The state requires hosts to register for a sales tax permit and collect the tax directly from guests, with monthly remittance due by the 15th of the following month through the state's online portal. Additionally, hosts must collect the state's 5% sales tax on lodging services. Tuttle, being a small city in Kidder County, does not impose additional local lodging or occupancy taxes beyond the state requirements. Properties used as primary residences for more than 14 days per year by the owner may qualify for certain exemptions, and stays of 30 days or longer are exempt from lodging taxes but may still be subject to sales tax. Airbnb began automatically collecting and remitting these taxes for North Dakota properties in 2019, simplifying compliance for most hosts, though hosts should verify their specific obligations with the North Dakota Tax Commissioner's office.

To start an Airbnb in Tuttle, North Dakota, expect total costs around $180,000-$220,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at approximately $150,000-$180,000 based on median home prices in rural North Dakota communities. Furnishing costs typically range $15,000-$25,000 for a complete 2-3 bedroom setup including furniture, appliances, linens, and décor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations average $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees are relatively minimal in small North Dakota towns, estimated at $500-$1,000 for business licenses and short-term rental permits. Insurance costs approximately $1,500-$2,500 annually for landlord and short-term rental coverage. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable total around $1,000-$1,500. First six months of operating costs including utilities ($600-$800 monthly), cleaning supplies, maintenance, platform fees, and marketing budget approximately $5,000-$7,000. Additional considerations include property taxes around $2,000-$3,000 annually and potential HOA fees if applicable, though less common in rural areas like Tuttle.

Airbnb properties in Tuttle, North Dakota face significant profitability challenges due to the town's small population of approximately 80 residents and limited tourism infrastructure. Properties in this rural area typically generate annual revenues between $8,000-$15,000, with average daily rates of $60-$85 and occupancy rates around 25-35% annually. Operating expenses including property taxes ($1,200-$2,500), utilities ($2,400-$3,600), cleaning fees ($150 per turnover), maintenance ($1,500-$3,000), and Airbnb service fees (3% host fee plus guest fees) often consume 70-85% of gross revenue. Most properties achieve profit margins of 15-30%, translating to annual profits of $1,200-$4,500. Success factors include targeting oil field workers seeking temporary housing, hunters during fall seasons, and travelers passing through on Highway 83. Properties within 30 miles of Bismarck perform better due to proximity to the larger market. A typical case study shows a 3-bedroom home purchased for $85,000 generating $12,000 annual revenue with $9,500 in expenses, yielding a 2.9% return on investment, making Tuttle's Airbnb market marginally profitable but requiring careful cost management and strategic positioning to succeed.

Airbnb investments in Tuttle, North Dakota typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10%, primarily driven by the town's proximity to oil industry workers and seasonal agricultural visitors. Properties in Tuttle, with average purchase prices around $150,000-$200,000, can expect nightly rates of $80-$120 during peak periods, achieving 40-60% occupancy rates annually. The Bakken oil boom has created consistent demand for short-term rentals, with investors typically reaching profitability within 18-24 months after accounting for initial renovation costs of $15,000-$25,000. Cash-on-cash returns are enhanced by North Dakota's favorable property tax rates and the limited hotel inventory in the area, though seasonal fluctuations mean stronger performance during spring through fall months when oil field activity and hunting seasons peak, with winter months showing 20-30% lower occupancy rates.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors looking in markets like Tuttle, North Dakota. For local expertise, investors can work with Century 21 Morrison Realty and Coldwell Banker which have North Dakota offices and agents familiar with rural investment properties. RE/MAX agents in the Bismarck-Mandan area, approximately 45 minutes from Tuttle, can provide regional market knowledge for small-town rental opportunities. National services include Mashvisor for property analytics, AirDNA for short-term rental market data, and BiggerPockets for connecting with local investors and agents. Roofstock and Awning (now part of RedAwning) offer turnkey short-term rental investment services that can source properties in smaller North Dakota markets. Local property management companies like Dakota Property Management in Bismarck can handle Airbnb operations, while national platforms like AvantStay and RedAwning provide full-service short-term rental management. Real estate investment groups through the North Dakota Real Estate Investors Association can connect investors with agents experienced in vacation rental properties, and platforms like Investability and Rabbu offer market analysis tools for evaluating Airbnb potential in rural markets like Tuttle.