Is Youngstown, Ohio Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Youngstown, Ohio, begin by researching local regulations as the city requires short-term rental operators to obtain a business license and comply with zoning ordinances that typically allow rentals in residential areas with proper permits. Contact Youngstown's Planning and Zoning Department at City Hall (26 South Phelps Street) to verify your property's zoning allows short-term rentals and obtain necessary permits, which may include a Certificate of Occupancy and fire safety inspection. Find a suitable property in desirable neighborhoods like Oak Hill, Wick Park, or downtown areas near Butler Arts Center and Arms Family Homestead, ensuring it meets safety codes and has good access to attractions like Butler Art Institute and Mill Creek Park. Furnish the space with quality basics including comfortable beds, linens, towels, kitchen essentials, WiFi, and local guidebooks highlighting Youngstown attractions like the Butler Arts Center and nearby Idlewild Golf Course. Create your listing on Airbnb with professional photos, competitive pricing (typically $40-80/night in Youngstown as of 2023), and detailed descriptions emphasizing proximity to Youngstown State University and downtown revitalization areas. Manage your property by establishing cleaning protocols, installing keyless entry systems, maintaining responsive communication with guests, and considering hiring local cleaning services like those found through Youngstown-area Facebook groups or Craigslist, while keeping detailed records for tax purposes and ensuring compliance with Ohio's 5.75% sales tax on short-term rentals.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Youngstown, Ohio, focus on locations near Youngstown State University, downtown revitalization areas like the Arts District, and neighborhoods such as Oak Hill and Wick Park that are experiencing gentrification. Target properties built after 1950 with 2-4 bedrooms, updated kitchens and bathrooms, reliable parking, and strong WiFi capability, as these appeal to both business travelers visiting companies like Ideastream Public Media and families attending university events. Conduct pricing analysis by researching comparable Airbnb listings in the $60-120 nightly range, accounting for Youngstown's lower cost of living while ensuring rates cover mortgage, utilities, cleaning, and maintenance costs with a 20-30% profit margin. Research competition using AirDNA and STR analytics tools to identify gaps in the market, particularly focusing on properties within 2 miles of YSU campus and downtown business district where occupancy rates typically range 60-75%. Utilize local resources including the Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative for neighborhood insights, Butler Arts Center area for cultural tourism potential, and connect with local property management companies familiar with Mahoning County regulations, while leveraging tools like Mashvisor and Rabbu for market analysis specific to the Youngstown metropolitan area's unique economic recovery patterns since 2010.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Youngstown, Ohio, you must first contact the Youngstown Planning and Zoning Department at City Hall located at 26 South Phelps Street to determine if short-term rentals are permitted in your specific zoning district, as the city has been developing regulations since 2019. Submit an application for a business license through the City Clerk's office, providing required documents including proof of property ownership or lease agreement, certificate of occupancy, fire safety inspection certificate from the Youngstown Fire Department, and proof of liability insurance with minimum $1 million coverage. You'll need to pay approximately $50-100 for the business license fee plus additional inspection fees of around $75-150. Schedule required inspections with the Building Department for safety compliance and fire department for fire safety standards. The timeline typically takes 4-6 weeks from application submission to permit approval, depending on inspection scheduling and any required corrections. Specific Youngstown requirements include maintaining the property as your primary residence if operating a homestay, limiting occupancy to posted maximums, providing adequate parking, maintaining noise ordinance compliance, and ensuring all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are functional. Contact the Planning Department at (330) 742-8937 to verify current regulations as STR rules have been evolving, and some neighborhoods may have additional restrictions or require special use permits.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Youngstown, Ohio operate in a largely unregulated environment as the city has not enacted comprehensive STR-specific legislation as of 2023. While STRs are not explicitly prohibited, they must comply with existing zoning regulations, building codes, and safety requirements that apply to all residential properties. Property owners typically need to ensure their rentals meet basic habitability standards and may need to obtain general business licenses depending on the scale of operation. The city has not implemented registration requirements, occupancy limits, or specific STR taxes that many other Ohio municipalities have adopted. However, STR operators must still comply with state tax obligations and any applicable homeowners association restrictions. Recent years have seen minimal regulatory changes specific to STRs in Youngstown, unlike larger Ohio cities such as Columbus and Cleveland which have implemented more restrictive frameworks. The relatively permissive approach reflects Youngstown's focus on encouraging property investment and addressing vacant housing issues, though this could change as STR activity increases and potential concerns about neighborhood impacts emerge.

The best areas for Airbnb investment in Youngstown, Ohio include the Oak Hill Collaborative district, which has seen significant revitalization efforts since 2010 with new businesses, restaurants, and cultural venues attracting young professionals and tourists. The Mahoning Valley Innovation and Technology Park area draws business travelers due to its proximity to tech companies and Youngstown Business Incubator. Downtown Youngstown, particularly near the Butler Arts Center and Arms Family Homestead, benefits from cultural events, concerts, and the growing arts scene that attracts weekend visitors. The Idlewild neighborhood offers attractive historic homes near Mill Creek Park, one of the largest metropolitan parks in the US, drawing nature enthusiasts and families. The McGuffey Center area is popular due to its walkability and proximity to Youngstown State University, creating demand from visiting families, prospective students, and academic conference attendees. The Wick Park Historic District provides charm for tourists interested in historic architecture and is close to the Butler Art Institute, while the Market Street corridor benefits from ongoing urban renewal projects and its central location for accessing multiple city attractions.

In Youngstown, Ohio, Airbnb hosts are subject to multiple lodging taxes including the state of Ohio's 5.75% lodging tax and Mahoning County's 3% bed tax, totaling 8.75% on short-term rental stays. The city of Youngstown also imposes a local lodging tax of approximately 3%, bringing the combined rate to around 11.75% of the gross rental amount. 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 Ohio jurisdictions. Airbnb remits these taxes quarterly to the appropriate state and local authorities on behalf of hosts, though hosts should verify their registration status with local tax departments. The taxes apply to stays of less than 30 consecutive days, with limited exemptions for monthly rentals exceeding 30 days, certain medical-related stays, and accommodations for displaced residents, though specific exemption criteria vary by jurisdiction and hosts should confirm current requirements with the Ohio Department of Taxation and Mahoning County tax authorities.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Youngstown, Ohio is approximately $85,000-$95,000. Property purchase costs around $65,000 based on the median home price in Youngstown as of 2023. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property requires $8,000-$12,000 for essential furniture, bedding, kitchen supplies, and décor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup costs including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations total $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and inspection fees cost approximately $500-$800. Insurance for short-term rental coverage runs $1,200-$1,800 annually, with $600-$900 needed upfront for six months. Utilities including electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable average $200-$300 monthly, requiring $1,200-$1,800 for the first six months. Additional operating costs for cleaning supplies, maintenance reserves, platform fees, and marketing total $1,500-$2,500 for the initial six-month period. Property taxes and potential HOA fees add another $1,000-$2,000 for six months depending on the specific location and property value within Youngstown.

Airbnb properties in Youngstown, Ohio typically generate modest returns with average daily rates ranging from $45-75 and occupancy rates of 40-60%, resulting in monthly revenues of $600-1,400 for well-positioned properties. Operating expenses including cleaning fees ($25-40 per turnover), utilities ($80-150 monthly), property management (10-20% of revenue), insurance ($100-200 monthly), and maintenance costs typically consume 50-70% of gross revenue. Properties near Youngstown State University and downtown areas perform better, with some investors like those featured in BiggerPockets case studies reporting net profit margins of 15-25% after all expenses. Success factors include strategic location within 2 miles of YSU, competitive pricing below Cleveland market rates, professional photography, and targeting business travelers to the area's healthcare facilities like Mercy Health-Youngstown. The market benefits from lower property acquisition costs ($30,000-80,000 for investment properties) compared to major Ohio cities, though this is offset by lower nightly rates and seasonal demand fluctuations, with winter months seeing 20-30% drops in bookings.

Airbnb investments in Youngstown, Ohio typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% based on current market conditions. Properties in revitalized downtown areas near Youngstown State University and the Butler Arts Center command higher occupancy rates of 60-70% annually, while residential neighborhoods average 45-55% occupancy. Initial investment recovery generally occurs within 7-10 years, with monthly gross rental income averaging $800-1,200 for 2-3 bedroom properties. The market benefits from low property acquisition costs ($40,000-80,000 for investment-ready homes) and growing medical tourism from the Cleveland Clinic and Mercy Health systems. Cash-on-cash returns improve to 12-15% for investors who purchase distressed properties under $50,000 and invest $15,000-25,000 in renovations, with break-even typically achieved within 18-24 months of operation in high-demand areas near the university and downtown business district.

STRSearch leads the national market for Airbnb investment property analysis and market data, providing comprehensive tools for identifying profitable short-term rental opportunities in Youngstown, Ohio. Local real estate agents specializing in investment properties include Keller Williams Chervenic Realty, Coldwell Banker Hunter Realty, and RE/MAX Edge Realty, with agents like those at Mahoning Valley Organizing Collaborative (MVOC) who understand the local rental market dynamics. National services include BiggerPockets for networking and deal analysis, Roofstock for turnkey rental properties, and AirDNA for market analytics and revenue projections. Local property management companies such as Butler County Property Management and Mahoning Valley Property Services offer Airbnb management specifically for investors. Additional national platforms include Awning for short-term rental property investment, RedfinNow for quick property acquisition, and Mashvisor for investment property analysis, while local mortgage brokers and real estate investment groups through the Mahoning Valley Real Estate Investors Association provide financing and networking opportunities for Airbnb investors targeting Youngstown's emerging rental market near Youngstown State University and downtown revitalization areas.