The short answer: Freedom Property Management runs Airbnb and VRBO rentals in Donnelly, near Tamarack Resort. A local team handles cleaning and snow shoveling at the house, and we run pricing, guest messaging and owner reporting from Boise. You can keep the home for yourself on the weekends you choose.
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A home we manage in Donnelly
Tamarack Mountain Retreat is a 3-bedroom, 2-bath end-unit townhome inside Donnelly city limits. It sleeps 9 and sits about 6 miles, or 15 to 20 minutes, from Tamarack Resort and 25 minutes from downtown McCall. Donnelly sits between Tamarack's ski runs and Lake Cascade, so homes here rent in both winter and summer.
Keeping the home for your own weekends
This is the first thing Donnelly owners ask us. Many bought the place to enjoy themselves and rent it out the rest of the time.
- Pick your weekends. Tell us the dates and we block them on Airbnb, VRBO and our direct-booking site at once, so there's no double booking.
- Tell us early. Ski holidays and summer weekends are the nights guests book first. The sooner we know which ones you want, the more of the rest we can fill.
- Arrive to a ready house. Our local team cleans after the last guest before you arrive, the same as for any guest.
Who handles snow, cleaning and the house
The second question is always some version of “do you take care of snow shoveling?” Yes. A two-hour drive from Boise is too far to manage a mountain home from a desk, so we work with a local team in the Donnelly area.
| At the house (local team) | From Boise (our office) |
|---|---|
| Cleaning turnovers and restocking | Listing setup on Airbnb, VRBO and our direct-booking site |
| Snow shoveling | Dynamic nightly pricing for ski and summer seasons |
| Anything that needs someone on site | Guest messaging, maintenance scheduling and owner statements |
More on what's included: Airbnb & vacation rental management.
Donnelly and Valley County rules in 2026
Donnelly's city code (Chapter 18.85, adopted September 2025) was written to require a business license for short-term rentals, an annual report due August 31, a 12-guest cap and one parking space per bedroom (Donnelly City Code). Valley County has its own short-term rental permit for homes outside city limits.
State law has since changed. As of July 1, 2026, Idaho Code 67-6539 says no city or county may require a license, fee, permit, certification or registration to operate a short-term rental, or require extra parking for one. What a city or county can still require:
- Working smoke alarms in sleeping areas, and a fire extinguisher and carbon monoxide detector on each floor.
- Removable escape ladders in upstairs bedrooms with a window.
- Occupancy limits no stricter than the residential building code.
- A guest handout showing exits, the fire extinguisher and first aid kit, and an emergency phone number.
Noise, parking, nuisance and traffic rules that apply to every home still apply to yours. Full details are in our Idaho short-term rental rules guide.
Lodging taxes
Rentals of 30 days or less are subject to Idaho's 6% sales tax and 2% travel and convention tax (Idaho State Tax Commission). Donnelly is also on the state's list of resort cities with a local option tax (Tax Commission), so confirm with the city what applies to lodging. Airbnb and VRBO collect state taxes on bookings made through them. Direct bookings need Idaho tax permits and returns.
Homes inside Tamarack Resort
Tamarack Resort runs its own rental program and says it offers commission-based and guaranteed-rent options (Tamarack Resort). Idaho's rental law limits cities and counties, not private covenants, so if your home is inside the resort, read its CC&Rs and any association rental rules before choosing a manager. Homes in Donnelly proper, like Tamarack Mountain Retreat, follow city rules and their own HOA, if any.
Before your first guest: a mountain-home checklist
- Install the required smoke alarms, CO detectors, extinguishers and escape ladders.
- Post the guest safety handout with an emergency contact.
- Tell guests about winter driving and where to park when it snows.
- Read your HOA or resort covenants for rental rules.
- Tell your insurer the home is a short-term rental.
- Decide which weekends you want to keep for yourself this season.
Not legal advice. Laws change. Confirm current requirements with the sources linked above, the City of Donnelly, Valley County or an Idaho attorney. Last verified November 2, 2026.
Donnelly & Tamarack vacation rental FAQ
Can I still use my Donnelly or Tamarack home on certain weekends?
Yes. Tell us which weekends you want and we block them on every channel so guests can't book them. The rest of the calendar stays open to rent. Ski holidays and summer weekends book up early, so it helps to tell us your dates as soon as you know them.
Do you take care of snow shoveling?
Yes. Our local team in the Donnelly area handles snow shoveling for the homes we manage, along with cleaning turnovers and anything else that needs someone at the house.
Do you have people in Donnelly, or is everything run from Boise?
Both. A local team handles cleaning, snow and on-site work. From Boise we handle pricing, listings, guest messaging, maintenance scheduling and owner statements.
Do I need a permit to run a vacation rental in Donnelly?
Donnelly's city code and Valley County's rules were written to require a short-term rental license or permit. Since July 1, 2026, Idaho Code 67-6539 says no city or county may require a license, fee, permit or registration to operate a short-term rental. Safety items, occupancy limits under the building code and general noise and parking rules still apply. Confirm with the city or county before you list.
What taxes apply to a Donnelly vacation rental?
Stays of 30 days or less are subject to Idaho's 6% sales tax and 2% travel and convention tax. Donnelly is also one of Idaho's resort cities with a local option tax, so check what applies to lodging. Airbnb and VRBO collect state taxes on bookings made through them; direct bookings are your responsibility.
Do I have to use Tamarack Resort's rental program?
Tamarack Resort runs its own rental program, but nothing in Idaho's rental law requires owners to use any particular manager. If your home is inside the resort, read its covenants and any association rental rules before choosing one.
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