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, focusing on areas near Landings or close to beach access for maximum appeal. Furnish the property with coastal-themed decor, essential amenities including WiFi, air conditioning, full kitchen appliances, quality linens, and outdoor furniture to capitalize on the island's waterfront location. Create your Airbnb listing with professional photography highlighting marsh views, proximity to Savannah (15 minutes), and nearby attractions like Oatland Island Wildlife Center, setting competitive rates around $150-300 per night depending on size and location. Manage the property by establishing cleaning protocols between guests, responding promptly to inquiries, coordinating key exchanges or installing smart locks, maintaining the property regularly, and considering hiring local property management companies like Savannah Vacation Rentals or RedAwning if you're not local, while ensuring compliance with Georgia's hotel/motel tax requirements and any applicable Chatham County occupancy taxes.

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 similar 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 existing STR listings within a 2-mile radius, identifying gaps in amenities or pricing, and noting seasonal demand patterns driven by Savannah tourism, summer beach season, and fall/spring weather. Utilize tools like Rabbu and STR Helper for market analysis, check Chatham County's STR regulations and permit requirements, partner with local property management companies like Vacasa or RedAwning for operational support, and leverage the island's proximity to Tybee Island beaches and historic Savannah to market properties as convenient bases for exploring the broader coastal Georgia region.

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-Savannah Metropolitan Planning Commission office located at 110 E State Street, Savannah, GA 31401, or online through their permitting portal. Required documents include a completed short-term rental application, property deed or lease agreement, site plan showing parking spaces, floor plan indicating maximum occupancy, proof of liability insurance ($1 million minimum), contact information for a local responsible party within 30 miles, and HOA approval if applicable. The application fee is approximately $150 with an annual renewal fee of $100. You must also obtain a business license from Chatham County ($50-75) and register for local accommodation taxes. The approval timeline typically takes 4-6 weeks for processing, including a 15-day public notice period and potential site inspection. Specific Wilmington Island requirements include maintaining adequate off-street parking (minimum 2 spaces), ensuring the property meets residential zoning compliance, providing 24/7 contact information to neighbors, and adhering to noise ordinances and occupancy limits based on bedroom count and square footage.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal on Wilmington Island, Georgia, but are subject to Chatham County's regulations implemented in 2019-2020. The county requires STR operators to obtain a business license, pay occupancy taxes, and comply with zoning restrictions that limit STRs primarily to commercially zoned areas and some residential zones with specific conditions. Properties must meet safety requirements including smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and occupancy limits, while operators must provide 24/7 contact information and maintain guest registries. Wilmington Island, being an unincorporated area of Chatham County, follows these county-wide rules rather than having separate municipal regulations. Recent changes in 2022-2023 have included stricter enforcement mechanisms and increased penalties for violations, with the county conducting more frequent inspections and requiring annual renewals of STR permits. Some residential neighborhoods have pushed for additional restrictions, and there are ongoing discussions about limiting STR density in certain areas of the island to preserve residential character, though no blanket prohibitions exist specifically for Wilmington Island as of 2024.

The best areas for Airbnb investment 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 offer direct water access and attract tourists seeking coastal experiences and fishing enthusiasts. The residential areas near Wilmington Island Club are highly desirable due to proximity to the golf course and upscale amenities, drawing golf tourists and leisure travelers year-round. Properties along President Street and near the Wilmington Island Marina capitalize on boating tourism and water sports activities, especially during peak summer months from May through September. The neighborhoods closest to Savannah's historic district, particularly those with easy access to Johnny Mercer Boulevard, benefit from overflow tourism when downtown accommodations are full, especially during major events like St. Patrick's Day celebrations, Savannah Music Festival, and wedding season. Areas near the beaches and Tybee Island access points attract families and beach-goers who prefer quieter accommodations while maintaining proximity to Tybee's attractions, making these locations profitable during both summer beach season and fall/spring when weather remains favorable for outdoor activities.

Airbnb properties on Wilmington Island, Georgia are subject to multiple lodging taxes including the Georgia state sales tax of 4%, Chatham County hotel/motel tax of 6%, and the City of Savannah accommodations tax of 2%, totaling approximately 12% in combined taxes on short-term rental stays. These taxes are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking through their automated tax collection system, which began around 2018-2019 for most Georgia jurisdictions. Property owners must register with the Georgia Department of Revenue and Chatham County for tax collection purposes, and while Airbnb remits the state and local taxes on behalf of hosts, owners are still responsible for ensuring compliance and may need to file periodic returns with local authorities. The accommodations tax applies to stays of less than 30 consecutive days, with limited exemptions for permanent residents or stays exceeding 30 days, and hosts should verify their specific registration requirements with Chatham County and ensure their Airbnb account is properly configured for automatic tax collection in their jurisdiction.

The total cost to start an Airbnb on Wilmington Island, Georgia is approximately $385,000-$435,000. Property purchase costs around $320,000 based on median home prices in the area as of 2023. Furnishing a 3-bedroom property requires $15,000-$25,000 for quality furniture, bedding, kitchen essentials, and decor from retailers like IKEA, Wayfair, and local furniture stores. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing optimization, and basic renovations total $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees include a $200 business license from Chatham County, $150 short-term rental permit, and potential HOA approval fees of $100-$300. Insurance costs $2,000-$3,000 annually for short-term rental coverage through companies like Proper Insurance or CBIZ. Utility setup and deposits for electricity (Georgia Power), water, internet, and cable total $500-$800. First six months operating costs including cleaning services ($150 per turnover), property management software like Airbnb or VRBO fees (3% of bookings), maintenance reserves, and marketing expenses total approximately $8,000-$12,000, assuming 60% occupancy rates and average nightly rates of $150-$200 for the Savannah area market.

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. Successful properties on the island achieve profit margins of 25-35%, with waterfront or marsh-view homes commanding premium rates and higher occupancy rates of 65-75% during peak season (March-October). Key success factors include professional photography showcasing coastal views, responsive guest communication, proximity to Tybee Island beaches (10-minute drive), and amenities like kayaks, fishing equipment, or outdoor spaces that capitalize on the island's recreational appeal. Properties within walking distance of marinas or with private docks typically outperform inland locations by 20-30% in both occupancy and nightly rates, while homes requiring significant upfront renovations may need 18-24 months to achieve positive cash flow after initial investment recovery.

Airbnb investments in Wilmington Island, Georgia typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% based on the area's proximity to Savannah's tourism market and coastal appeal. Cash-on-cash returns generally range from 8-14% annually, with properties averaging $150-250 per night during peak summer months and $100-180 during off-season periods. Most investors achieve profitability within 18-24 months, assuming a 20-25% down payment on properties valued between $300,000-500,000. The market benefits from year-round demand due to Savannah's historic district tourism, with occupancy rates typically reaching 65-75% annually. Properties within 0.5 miles of waterfront access or with marsh views command premium rates and can achieve the higher end of ROI projections, while standard residential properties perform at the lower range but offer more consistent bookings throughout shoulder seasons.

STRSearch is a leading national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties in Wilmington Island, Georgia, offering market analysis and property recommendations. Local real estate agents specializing in Airbnb investments include Savannah Real Estate Partners, Coastal Georgia Realty Group, and Island Properties Savannah, who have expertise in the Wilmington Island vacation rental market. National services like AirDNA provide market data and analytics, while Mashvisor offers investment property analysis tools for the area. Local property management companies such as Savannah Vacation Rentals and Coastal Getaways Management can assist with identifying investment opportunities and managing properties post-purchase. Additional national platforms include BiggerPockets for networking with local investors, Roofstock for turnkey rental properties, and RedAwning for vacation rental market insights. Local mortgage brokers like Coastal Mortgage Solutions and investment advisors at Savannah Investment Properties also specialize in financing Airbnb acquisitions in the Wilmington Island market, which has seen growth due to its proximity to Savannah's tourism industry and coastal attractions.