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Mccall, ID

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STR Regulations for Mccall, Idaho

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in McCall, ID?

Short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in McCall, Idaho within city limits, subject to specific regulatory requirements. The city adopted comprehensive STR regulations effective October 1, 2022, establishing a permitting system that applies to all short-term rental operations within the McCall city limits. Properties located in the McCall Impact Area follow a different regulatory framework, requiring only a declaration of compliance rather than a full STR permit.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Mccall?

Mccall hosts earn a median $34,966/year with $276 ADR and 48% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $50,976+ per year.

See the full Mccall market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in McCall

Step-by-Step Process for City Limits Properties

  1. Determine Your Property Location

    • Verify whether your property is within McCall city limits or the Impact Area using the city's mapping tool
    • City limits properties require a full STR permit; Impact Area properties need only a declaration of compliance

  2. Calculate Maximum Occupancy

    • Standard occupancy calculation: number of bedrooms × 2 + 2 additional persons
    • If resulting occupancy is 11+ persons, you must obtain a Conditional Use Permit before proceeding
    • Alternative: Self-limit occupancy to 10 persons through notarized affidavit with matching insurance coverage

  3. Submit Short-Term Rental Permit Application

    • Complete the online STR permit application
    • Application fee: $225
    • Submit required documentation (detailed below)

  4. Schedule Fire, Health and Safety Inspection

    • Annual inspection required through McCall Fire Protection District
    • Fee: $270 (includes initial inspection and one follow-up if needed)
    • Additional follow-up inspections cost $75 each
    • Must be completed within 30 days of initial inspection if corrections needed

  5. Post Required Notices and Guidelines

    • Display STR permit number in each rental unit
    • Post comprehensive rules notice using city-provided template
    • Include emergency evacuation plan approved by Fire Code Official

  6. Establish Tax Collection and Remittance

    • Register for Local Option Tax collection (7% total rate)
    • Either collect through third-party platforms or remit directly to city
    • Payment options: monthly, quarterly, or annually (fiscal year ends September 30)

Process for Impact Area Properties

  1. Submit Declaration of Compliance
    • Simplified process compared to city limits
    • No separate STR permit required
    • Still subject to tax collection requirements

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Short-Term Rental Permit Application Requirements

Core Documentation:

  • Proof of ownership and property legal description
  • Valley County Assessor parcel information
  • Property address and bedroom count verification

Technical Plans:

  • Dimensioned floor plan showing:
    • Room names and intended uses
    • Location of all egress doors
    • Bedroom classifications per International Fire Code standards
  • Site plan including:
    • Parking space locations and count
    • Parking access routes
    • Compliance with one space per bedroom requirement

Operational Information:

  • Local contact person details (must respond within 60 minutes, 24/7)
  • Property owner contact information
  • Business name under which operations will be conducted
  • Maximum occupancy calculations
  • Proof of established solid waste/refuse removal service

Regulatory Compliance:

  • Mailing list and proof of notice to all property owners within 300-foot radius
  • Notice content must include:
    • STR property address
    • Maximum occupancy and vehicle allowance
    • Local contact person information and phone number
  • Signed acknowledgment of all STR regulations
  • Notarized affidavit (if self-limiting occupancy to avoid CUP requirement)

Permit and Inspection Requirements

Primary Permits:

  • Short-Term Rental Permit (city limits) - $225 annual fee
  • Conditional Use Permit (required for 11+ person occupancy)
  • Annual Fire, Health and Safety Inspection - $270

License Renewal:

  • Annual renewal required (permits expire December 31)
  • Change of ownership automatically cancels existing permit
  • New permit required for new owners

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City of McCall Regulations

Occupancy Standards:

  • Maximum occupancy: 2 persons per bedroom + 2 additional persons
  • Absolute cap of 10 persons without Conditional Use Permit
  • Final bedroom count determined through fire inspection process
  • All occupancy limits must be reflected in insurance policies

Property Use Requirements:

  • Accessory Dwelling Unit restrictions: If property contains both primary residence and ADU, one must be owner-occupied or operated as non-STR housing
  • No exterior modifications that eliminate residential appearance
  • All parking must be contained on-site (one space per bedroom maximum)
  • No parking on public right-of-way

Operational Standards:

  • Noise Restrictions: No loud music, outdoor activities, or noise audible beyond property lines between 10:00 PM and 8:00 AM
  • Local Contact Requirement: Designated person must respond to complaints within 60 minutes, 24/7
  • Event Restrictions: No events permitted without Conditional Use Permit
  • Solid Waste Service: Mandatory proof of established refuse removal service

Safety and Inspection Requirements:

  • Annual fire, health, and safety inspection mandatory
  • Compliance with International Fire Code bedroom definitions
  • Emergency escape and rescue openings required
  • Posted emergency evacuation plans in all units

County-Level Regulations

Note: The provided content focuses primarily on city-level regulations. Properties outside McCall city limits but within the county should consult Valley County directly for applicable regulations.

State-Level Regulations (Idaho)

Note: The provided content does not include specific Idaho state-level STR regulations. Investors should consult Idaho state statutes and the Idaho Tax Commission for state-level requirements including state lodging taxes and any additional compliance obligations.

Local Option Tax Requirements

Tax Structure (7% total):

  • 3% Base Lodging Local Option Tax
  • 1% General sales tax
  • 3% Street projects tax (effective January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2026)

Collection and Remittance:

  • All STR operators responsible for tax collection and remittance
  • Major platforms (Airbnb, VRBO, Evolve) typically collect on behalf of owners
  • Owner verification required to ensure tax collection when using third parties
  • Payment frequency options: monthly, quarterly, or annually
  • Annual fiscal year ends September 30

Contact Information for Local Authorities

Primary STR Administration

Amanda Payne
Local Option Tax and Short-Term Rental Compliance Administrator
Phone: 208-634-8929
Email: apayne@mccall.id.us

Planning and Zoning

Meredith Todd
City and Sustainability Planner (Conditional Use Permits)
Phone: 208-634-4168
Email: mtodd@mccall.id.us

Fire Protection District

Captain Ryan Garber
Fire Prevention Officer
Phone: 208-634-7070
Scheduling: Use online calendaring system for inspections
Fire District Address: 201 Deinhard Lane, McCall, ID 83638

City Administration

City Clerk's Department
Phone: 208-634-7142 (for general inquiries and form assistance)
City Address: 216 East Park Street, McCall, Idaho 83638

Complaint Reporting

  • First contact: Property's local contact person or property manager
  • Response time required: 60 minutes
  • Secondary contact: STR Complaint Form (online submission)
  • Response time: 3 business days

Source Links and Resources

Permits and Applications

Technical Requirements

Mapping and Location Tools

Tax and Compliance

Fire Department Resources

Municipal Code References

Educational Resources

Important Disclaimers for Investors:

  • All regulations subject to change through city council action
  • Current fee structure established by city council resolution and may change
  • Compliance with all requirements mandatory before advertising or operating
  • Annual renewal required with potential for permit revocation for non-compliance
  • Insurance coverage must match stated occupancy limits
  • Local contact person must be available 24/7 during rental periods

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Mccall

Market Saturation Score

036912
Low Saturation
1/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
0–1 declining months: minimal saturation pressure — revenue trends are stable.
View Full Mccall Market Analysis

Photos of Mccall

Overview of Mccall

McCall is a small resort city in Valley County, Idaho, set on the southern shore of Payette Lake in the Long Valley of central Idaho. The year-round population sits at roughly 3,400, but the town fills with seasonal visitors and second-home owners throughout the summer and winter months. Surrounded by the Payette National Forest and sitting at an elevation of about 5,000 feet, McCall has the feel of an alpine village, with a walkable downtown, a working lakeside marina, and a long-running reputation as one of Idaho's signature four-season getaways. It lies approximately 100 miles north of Boise, the nearest major city and the state capital, with the drive along State Highway 55 taking roughly two to two and a half hours, depending on weather and traffic.

The heart of summer life is Payette Lake, a glacier-fed body of water covering about 5,000 acres and reaching depths of nearly 400 feet. The lake draws boaters, paddlers, anglers, and swimmers from across the region, and its public beaches and marina are within a few minutes of anywhere in town. Just a short drive north of downtown, Ponderosa State Park occupies a forested peninsula jutting into the lake and offers more than 1,000 acres of campgrounds, hiking trails, and shoreline that anchor much of the area's outdoor appeal. Together, the lake and the park form the main reason most summer visitors come to McCall in the first place.

In winter, attention shifts to the surrounding mountains. Brundage Mountain Resort sits about ten miles northwest of town and is known for receiving some of the deepest and lightest snowfall in the Pacific Northwest, with a base village and lift-served terrain that feels far more low-key than the larger resorts further west. The town itself also hosts the long-running McCall Winter Carnival each February, an event built around elaborate snow sculptures and a torchlight parade that has been a fixture on the local calendar for generations. Together, the ski hill and the carnival give McCall a distinct winter identity that mirrors its summer one.

Beyond the immediate area, McCall serves as a gateway to some of the wildest country in the lower 48. Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North America, lies to the northwest along the Idaho-Oregon border and is accessible within roughly a two-hour drive. The surrounding Payette National Forest and the upper Salmon River country also offer rafting, fishing, and backcountry trips that begin from McCall.

For short-term-rental owners, the appeal is straightforward: McCall combines a genuine small-town atmosphere with a year-round stream of visitors drawn by a single stunning lake, a reliable ski hill, a famous winter festival, and easy access to a vast outdoor region, all while remaining a comfortable drive from Boise's airport and population base.

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