Is Wilmington Island, Georgia Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb on Wilmington Island, Georgia, begin by researching Chatham County's short-term rental regulations, which typically require a business license and may have zoning restrictions in residential areas. Contact Chatham County's Planning Department to verify if your intended property location allows short-term rentals and obtain necessary permits, including a business license ($50-100 annually) and potentially a short-term rental permit. Find a suitable property by searching MLS listings, working with local realtors familiar with Wilmington Island's market where properties range from $300,000-800,000, or consider renting a property with landlord permission for subleasing. Furnish the space with coastal-themed decor appropriate for the island setting, including essentials like quality bedding, kitchen appliances, WiFi, and outdoor furniture for porches or patios. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photos highlighting the island's proximity to Savannah (15 minutes), beaches, and recreational activities, pricing competitively at $100-250 per night depending on size and amenities. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, responding promptly to inquiries, coordinating check-ins/check-outs, and maintaining the property to meet guest expectations while complying with local noise ordinances and parking restrictions that may apply in residential neighborhoods on Wilmington Island.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties on Wilmington Island, Georgia, focus on waterfront or water-view locations within walking distance to beaches, marinas, or the Wilmington River, as these command premium rates year-round. Target 3-4 bedroom single-family homes or condos built after 1990 with modern amenities, outdoor spaces like decks or patios, and parking for multiple vehicles, as families and groups visiting Savannah (15 minutes away) prefer these features. Analyze pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against comparable properties, aiming for average daily rates of $150-300 depending on size and location, with occupancy rates above 65% being profitable in this market. Research competition by studying listings within a 2-mile radius on Airbnb and VRBO, noting their amenities, pricing strategies, and guest reviews to identify gaps in the market. Utilize tools like Rabbu, STR Helper, and local MLS data through Savannah-area realtors familiar with Chatham County regulations, while monitoring seasonal trends since summer months (May-September) typically generate 60-70% of annual revenue due to beach tourism and Savannah's peak visitor season.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Wilmington Island, Georgia, you must apply through Chatham County's Planning Department since Wilmington Island falls under unincorporated Chatham County jurisdiction. Submit your application at the Chatham County Planning Department located at 112 East State Street in Savannah, or apply online through their permitting portal. Required documents include a completed short-term rental application, property deed or lease agreement, site plan showing parking and occupancy layout, proof of liability insurance (minimum $1 million), contact information for a local property manager if you're not local, and payment of applicable fees. The application fee is approximately $150-200 with an annual renewal fee of $100-125. You'll also need to obtain a business license from Chatham County (additional $50-75 fee) and register for local accommodation taxes. The approval timeline typically takes 4-6 weeks for processing, though it may extend to 8 weeks during peak application periods. Specific Wilmington Island requirements include maintaining adequate off-street parking (minimum 2 spaces), ensuring the property meets residential density standards, providing 24/7 contact information for guests, and adhering to noise ordinances and occupancy limits based on septic system capacity. Properties must also comply with life safety codes including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers, and you must maintain a guest registry available for inspection by county officials.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal on Wilmington Island, Georgia, but operate under Chatham County's regulations since the island is an unincorporated area within the county. As of 2023, Chatham County requires STR operators to obtain a business license and comply with zoning restrictions, with STRs generally permitted in residential areas but subject to occupancy limits, parking requirements, and noise ordinances. The county implemented stricter regulations around 2021-2022 following community concerns about over-tourism and neighborhood disruption, requiring operators to register their properties and maintain local contact information for complaints. While not prohibited in specific areas of Wilmington Island, STRs must comply with the island's residential zoning requirements and cannot exceed certain occupancy thresholds based on septic system capacity, which is particularly relevant given the island's infrastructure limitations. Recent changes have included enhanced enforcement mechanisms and potential fines for non-compliant operators, though the overall legal framework remains supportive of STRs with proper permitting and adherence to community standards.

The most promising Airbnb investment areas on Wilmington Island, Georgia include the waterfront neighborhoods along the Wilmington River and Bull River, particularly around Modena Island Road and Johnny Mercer Boulevard, which attract tourists seeking scenic marsh views and easy access to Savannah's historic district just 15 minutes away. The residential areas near Wilmington Island Club and surrounding golf communities appeal to visitors attending weddings, golf tournaments, and corporate retreats, while properties close to the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge draw nature enthusiasts and bird watchers year-round. The neighborhoods around Turner Creek and Grimball Point offer premium waterfront experiences for guests seeking luxury accommodations with private dock access, capitalizing on Savannah's growing tourism market that sees over 14 million visitors annually. Areas near the Wilmington Island Bridge provide convenient access for business travelers working in Savannah's port district and downtown business core, while the family-friendly neighborhoods around Wilmington Island Elementary attract visitors during Savannah's peak festival seasons including St. Patrick's Day celebrations, Savannah Music Festival, and wedding season from March through November.

Airbnb properties on Wilmington Island, Georgia are subject to multiple lodging taxes including Georgia's state hotel/motel tax of 5%, Chatham County's hotel/motel tax of 6%, and potentially additional local municipal taxes that can range from 1-3%, bringing the total occupancy tax burden to approximately 12-14%. These taxes are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking through their automated tax collection system, which began operating in Georgia around 2018-2019, and Airbnb remits these taxes monthly to the appropriate state and local tax authorities including the Georgia Department of Revenue and Chatham County. Property owners must register with both state and local tax authorities, obtain the necessary permits, and may need to file periodic returns even when Airbnb collects the taxes, with exemptions generally limited to stays exceeding 30 consecutive days which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient lodging, and properties must typically meet minimum occupancy thresholds to qualify for tax obligations.

The total cost to start an Airbnb on Wilmington Island, Georgia is approximately $385,000-$450,000. Property purchase costs average $320,000-$380,000 based on median home prices in the area as of 2023-2024. Furnishing a 3-bedroom property runs $15,000-$25,000 including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and decor. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations total $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and Chatham County registration fees cost approximately $500-$800. Insurance for short-term rental coverage runs $2,000-$3,000 annually. Utility deposits and first month's service for electricity, water, internet, and cable total $800-$1,200. First six months operating costs including cleaning services ($1,800), maintenance reserves ($2,000), marketing ($1,000), property management software ($300), and miscellaneous supplies ($900) add approximately $6,000 to startup expenses.

Airbnb properties on Wilmington Island, Georgia typically generate annual revenues between $35,000-$65,000 for well-positioned homes, with average daily rates ranging from $150-$280 depending on proximity to beaches and property amenities. Operating expenses generally consume 40-50% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($75-$125 per turnover), property management (15-25% of revenue), utilities ($200-$350 monthly), insurance ($2,500-$4,000 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $3,000-$6,000 yearly. Net profit margins typically range from 15-35% for owner-operated properties, with successful hosts achieving higher margins through strategic pricing during peak summer months (June-August) and holiday periods when demand from Savannah tourists spikes. Properties within walking distance of beaches or featuring amenities like pools, kayaks, or golf cart access command premium rates and maintain 70-85% occupancy rates compared to 55-70% for standard inland properties. Success factors include professional photography, responsive guest communication, partnerships with local activity providers, and maintaining consistently high cleanliness standards, with top-performing properties often managed by companies like Vacasa or RedAwning achieving 20-30% higher revenues than amateur hosts through dynamic pricing and marketing optimization.

Based on Wilmington Island, Georgia market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 8-14% depending on property type and location proximity to beaches and amenities. Properties within walking distance of beaches or waterfront areas command premium rates of $150-250 per night during peak season (May-September) and $80-120 during off-season, while inland properties average $100-180 peak and $60-90 off-season. Initial investment recovery and profitability typically occurs within 18-24 months for well-positioned properties, with average occupancy rates of 65-75% annually. Properties purchased in the $300,000-500,000 range with 20-25% down payments show strongest performance, generating monthly gross revenues of $3,000-5,500 during peak months and $1,800-3,200 during slower periods, resulting in net annual returns of $25,000-45,000 after expenses including property management (10-15%), cleaning fees, utilities, insurance, and maintenance costs.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market research, providing comprehensive data on short-term rental performance in Wilmington Island, Georgia. Local real estate agents specializing in investment properties include Keller Williams Coastal Area Realty agents who focus on vacation rental investments, Coldwell Banker Platinum Partners agents with STR expertise, and RE/MAX agents specializing in coastal investment properties. National services include AirDNA for market analytics, Mashvisor for investment property analysis, and BiggerPockets for investor networking and deal sourcing. Local property management companies like Savannah Vacation Rentals and Coastal Georgia Vacation Rentals often assist investors in identifying profitable properties, while Vacasa and RedAwning provide national short-term rental management with acquisition services. Investment-focused real estate companies such as Roofstock and HomeUnion occasionally feature Wilmington Island properties, and local firms like Savannah Real Estate Investors Group connect buyers with investment opportunities. Additional services include STR Helper for property analysis, Host Financial for STR-specific lending, and local mortgage brokers familiar with investment property financing in the Savannah coastal market.