Summary of Star City Code Title 8 (Unified Development Code · 2022 update) as it applies in Star.
Code evolves continuously. Verify at the official source before any development decision.
Applicable code
Code references active as of publication. Verify current standards at the official source before any development decision.
R-4 (Low Density Residential) — minimum lot size 6,000 sq ft, maximum density 7.26 units/acre, minimum lot width 60 ft, front setback 20 ft, side setback 5 ft, rear setback 20 ft.
Investor implication: R-4 is the dominant zone in North Star master-planned subdivisions. Standard single-family product on 6,000–8,000 sq ft lots. Lot-split potential is limited by the 60 ft width requirement.
Verify at City of Star Municipal Code →R-6 (Medium Density Residential) — minimum lot size 5,000 sq ft, maximum density 8.71 units/acre, minimum lot width 50 ft, front setback 20 ft, side setback 5 ft, rear setback 20 ft.
Investor implication: R-6 allows tighter lot configurations than R-4. Appears in select North Star subdivisions and near downtown Highway 44 frontage. The 50 ft width requirement opens minor lot-split scenarios on oversized parcels.
Verify at City of Star Municipal Code →R-8 (Medium-High Density Residential) — minimum lot size 4,000 sq ft, maximum density 10.89 units/acre, minimum lot width 40 ft, front setback 15 ft, side setback 5 ft, rear setback 15 ft.
Investor implication: R-8 is rare in Star but appears in select infill-targeted parcels near downtown. The 40 ft width and 4,000 sq ft minimum open duplex and small-lot subdivision scenarios.
Verify at City of Star Municipal Code →R-12 (High Density Residential) — minimum lot size 3,000 sq ft, maximum density 14.52 units/acre, minimum lot width 30 ft, front setback 15 ft, side setback 5 ft, rear setback 15 ft. Allows townhomes and small multifamily.
Investor implication: R-12 is the highest-density residential zone in Star. Extremely limited geography — appears only in select downtown mixed-use redevelopment areas. Townhome and small multifamily product is viable here.
Verify at City of Star Municipal Code →Unincorporated parcels within Star's Area of Impact are governed by Ada County Code Chapter 6 (Star Area of City Impact) and zoned R-RP (Rural Residential Preservation) until annexation. R-RP minimum lot size is typically 1 acre; density and setback standards differ from Star city zoning.
Investor implication: Pre-annexation land in the Area of Impact operates under Ada County R-RP rules, not Star Title 8. Confirm jurisdiction before permitting. Annexation triggers a rezone to Star R-4 or R-6 depending on the annexation agreement.
Verify at Ada County Code →Star Ordinance 428-2025 (effective December 2025) allows up to 1 ADU per lot, maximum 800 sq ft or 50% of primary dwelling square footage (whichever is less), 5 ft rear and side setbacks. Owner-occupancy requirement removed.
Investor implication: Star's ADU ordinance is more restrictive than Boise's (800 sq ft vs. 900 sq ft, 50% cap vs. 70% cap). The removal of owner-occupancy opens ADU-on-rental-property scenarios. Confirm setback compliance on constrained lots.
Verify at City of Star Municipal Code →Idaho SB 1352 (effective July 1, 2026) requires cities over 10,000 population to allow residential development at minimum 12 units/acre on tracts ≥4 acres, lots as small as 1,400 sq ft, and exempts qualifying starter-home subdivisions from local setback and lot-width requirements.
Investor implication: SB 1352 overrides Star's R-4 and R-6 minimum lot sizes on qualifying tracts ≥4 acres. Starter-home subdivisions can achieve 12+ units/acre regardless of underlying zoning. Confirm tract size and starter-home price thresholds before relying on this statute.
Verify at Idaho Legislature SB 1352 →Renew analysis