FAQs

Building & Permits

All new construction and remodel construction require a building permit in the City of Star. Sheds and outbuildings 200 square feet or larger require also require a permit.
Anything over 200 sq ft not attached requires a building permit and must meet subdivision setbacks.** If attached, regardless of size, a permit is required.** Applications submitted must include: Sketch of plans or project list of materials and site plan.
Yes.

The building code states a Building Permit is required to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert or demolish any structure. A Building Permit is not required when repainting a structure. Windows do not need permits provided the size of the window openings will not change; enlarging the size or changing location will require a permit. Re-siding the entire structure requires a building permit. Doors require a building permit only if the size of the opening is being altered or expanding.
Decks Below 30” above grade do not require a permit. Decks 30” above finish grade require a permit and must meet codes for handrails. Application should include plans, site plan, list of materials and proposed bid of project.
Yes.

A Building Permit is required for re-roofing of all projects.
No.

For anything under 6 feet. However, a fence must meet the setback requirements of the subject property’s zoning designation and any other regulations as stated in the City of Star Unified Development Code. Retaining walls over four (4) ft do require a permit.
No permit is required, regardless of size.
Yes.

A manufactured home requires a Building Permit. The Building Official will require the same site information required from an applicant seeking a building permit for a single-family dwelling.
No.

An “Ag Building” as defined in the International Building Code does not require a Building Permit, but must meet the setback requirements of the subject property’s zoning designation and the City of Star Unified Code.
Always contact your HOA first.

Commonly Asked Questions

Anyone wishing to set up a food truck, solicit door to door, or obtain a catering permit, contact the clerks office at staridaho@staridaho.org.
Star Sewer & Water is its own separate taxing entity and separate from the city. Please contact them directly at (208) 286-7388.
Visit our Irrigation Canals Contact Information page.

Planning & Zoning

The City Zoning Map is located on the webpage or under “Maps” on the Planning & Zoning Department. A staff member would be happy to help determine the zoning designation of your parcel. Please have the address or parcel number when calling.
Each parcel within the City has setback requirements associated according to the zoning designation. The required setbacks for front, rear and side property lines are located in the Unified Development Code. Setbacks are measured from the property line. The best way to determine your property lines is to locate the actual property pins.
The Unified Development Code contains a list of defined uses in each district within the City of Star. Each zoning designation has Permitted, Uses Allowed with a Conditional Use Permit and Non-allowed uses. Each district has its own matrix and is located in the code.
All uses that are not defined are considered automatically to be Conditional Uses and must go through the Public Hearing process.
Development within certain flood zones require a Flood Plain Development Permit and must meet the requirements of the City’s Flood Hazard Ordinance.
An original parcel of land may be divided one time, administratively, into not more than two (2) lots, parcels, or sites for the purpose of transfer of ownership or development. This process does not require a public hearing, unless the City requires the applicant to plat the land division.
Temporary living quarters are permitted in the City, in some cases, to house a member of the immediate family. The need for temporary living quarters for a family member must be justified for reasons of health, employment, or upkeep on the property. The structure may be permitted for two years and may not remain for more than six years. Other criteria may be required.
If the business is allowed in a residential district, a home occupation application must be filled out and submitted to the City. In most cases home occupations are allowed, but shall meet certain criteria. Please see Section 8-5 3-27 Home Occupation for requirements.
Please make an appointment with the planning department to have your property evaluated for flood zone location.
The City Code contains the information necessary to build a fence. No sight obscuring fencing shall be over three feet (3') tall within the vision triangle on corner lots. No fence shall be erected over three feet (3') in height in a front yard. No fence, on the perimeter boundary or within any required setback area shall exceed a height of six feet (6') above adjacent grade.

Search Tips and Tricks

Yes. The website indexes web pages as well as PDFs, Microsoft Office documents, and text documents.
No. By default, the search results will show matches for any word within the phrase. In this example, you would receive results for all web pages and documents that contained either the word alarm or the word permit or both.

In order to search on an exact phrase, enclose your search phrase in quotations. The search results for "alarm permit" will show matches for that exact phrase.
Yes. You can exclude words by using the minus sign (-). In order to find the results of all pages that have alarm in the result but not permit, you would search for alarm -permit.

Sports & Recreation

No, our coaching staff is volunteer.
No
Coaches pick their practice days and times not parents, if you would like to make your schedule consider coaching.
All ages and sports need a uniform, you will see the uniforms during registration if you have the same uniform then you do not need to purchase another. Our goal is to keep your costs down so we try to use the if the manufacture can supply them, they uniforms are not gender specific so all your athletes could use the same uniform. If your uniform does not match the pictured uniform in the registration you will need to purchase one.
Teams are computer generated and players are placed on teams by age and gender.
You can view the details to any program that is open click view details next to the registration button.
Log into your account you create your password the first time you enter, if you forget your password use forgot password to reset it. if you see +tps in your log in you must log in exactly the way your welcome letter states.
If you pay City of Star taxes on your yearly tax assessment you are a resident, everyone else is a non-resident.
If you pay City of Star taxes on your yearly tax assessment you are a resident, everyone else is a non-resident.
In your schedule you will see next to your team’s name either a blue house or a green arrow, the blue house means you’re the home team so wear your blue shirt and the green arrow means you are the away team so wear the black shirt. Everyone is told to bring both to the games, just in case.
Please check your SPAM folder and move us to trusted email or you’re in box.
Closed programs do not show up on the website, and if you can't click the button, it is because registration has ended. Also, some recreation classes are full and have a waitlist.
You can go to our online store http://staridahorec.com/online-store you can purchase uniforms, extra shirts or shorts but the online store is closed after registrations after that you will have to email Ron at rweston@staridaho.com we have extra uniforms but you will have to come and pick them up.
Yes - on a per individual bases and will need to be evaluated by a coach prior to playing up.
The system uses +tps1 to indicate that there is more than 1 person attached to this player and it tells the system to make sure everyone with this email address is classified as a family. You might have to use +tps in your log in, but you should be able to use your email address and you family will be attached.
If you volunteer to coach you will coach your child + 1 player (this player can be either your asst. coach or a child friend). There is a code available in the program details to receive your registration FREE if you wish to coach, please use that code.
View the details of a registration for game and practice details, it is up to the coaches when they practice. In our programming we limit our meeting times to no more than 3 times per week, 2 practices and a game for older kids and usually 1 practice and a game for younger kids. We try to do all sports on weeknights.
About one week prior to the season beginning, you will receive a WELCOME email, which will have your log in and team information. When you log in you will be taken to your team page, your practice and game schedule is located there, and you can view your entire seasons schedule by clicking on the left side where it says schedule.
Everything is done online; you will receive an email from us about 1 week prior to the start of the season. Our email will allow you to view your child's team and schedule, you may or may not hear from the coach, but we do encourage our coaches to email you prior to the first practice.
We try to limit emails, so we only send them out when necessary, depending on how the email is sent you could receive the same email for every child in our system, we apologize if you get too many, but we are trying to limit them. Another reason people get emails is reminders our system is designed to email you a reminder 2 hours prior to every practice and game, you can turn this feature off in your team page, there is a button to Subscribe to Schedule Reminders Click NO, the default is set at yes and you will have to do this for every team you are with.
Blue is for home games and black is for away games, the system will tell you if you are home or away.

State of the City

No, homeowners’ associations (HOAs) are not mandatory in Idaho. However, individual subdivisions may have their own HOA requirements, so it’s important to check with each community.
The shade/picnic structures at Freedom Park will primarily be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. However, if you would like to reserve one, you can do so by paying for a reservation, just like the shade structures at Blake Park and the skate park. When you reserve a structure, you will receive a placard to display, ensuring that no one else uses the structure during your reserved time. This system allows both flexibility and the option for guaranteed use when needed. The dock, "Dockzilla" is open to everyone and cannot be reserved for private events.
While the City of Star does not directly manage school construction, we are aware of plans for future schools within our community. The West Ada School District owns land near Star Middle School, which includes plans for a new elementary and high school. Construction of schools depends on a few factors, including funding, which often requires passing a bond. At this time, no specific date has been set for construction of the high school, the new elementary school is expected to be completed by 2026. We encourage residents to stay engaged with school district updates as these plans develop.
Bus service through Valley Regional Transit (VRT) has been considered. However, due to the high cost and limited ridership, it is not a feasible option for our community at this time. For residents needing transportation, try Beyond Access on Demand at 208-345-7433, with a one-week advance call for scheduling. Additionally, the Veterans Administration provides rides for veterans to medical appointments.
From Star Police Chief Hessing:
1. Star PD is in the process of hiring volunteers to help police local parks. This is a new program that has been in the works for approximately 3 months. We have only had two people put in for the volunteer program. Both people are in the very extensive background process.
2. Star PD has a drone program and a deputy who is a drone pilot. Star PD purchased an updated drone in September of 2024. This is used for specific purposes such as locating suspects who are fleeing from the police. There are certain laws that prohibit the use of droves for surveillance.
3. The City of Star has placed several cameras throughout the city parks. All Star PD deputies have access to these cameras and can view them from their cell phones at any time.
4. License Plate Reader (LPR) cameras. LPR cameras have been used in Canyon County for quite some time. Ada County has had some pushback about using LPR cameras. They must be installed on a pole that has electricity. Ada County Sheriff’s Office and Kuna Police Department are getting LPR cameras installed. These cameras are a huge benefit when trying to locate a felony suspect vehicle. Star PD does not currently have any, but talks are being held to see if this is something the city wants. These cameras are not “traffic” cameras to cite people for going over speed limits or red lights. They are designed to capture a license plate, make, and color of a car to help apprehend felony criminals.
That's a great suggestion, and it's something we can easily accommodate. You can expect to see metal bat organizers installed in the dugouts soon!
The idea of adding lights at Hunter’s Creek baseball fields is something we're actively exploring. However, the costs associated with such a project are significant. We're looking into potential funding opportunities, including grants, to help cover those costs. At the same time, we must consider the concerns of the surrounding community, as there may be impacts such as light pollution or noise. We want to ensure that any improvements we make are balanced with the needs and preferences of our residents, including the input of City Council members and the broader community. This is an ongoing discussion, and we will continue to evaluate the best course of action.
Crosswalks on public roads are under the jurisdiction of ACHD. Residents can request this on their website at: https://www.achdidaho.org/projects/propose-a-project/traffic-calming

Flag stations at existing crosswalks can be requested from the city. Please send an email to info@staridaho.org with your request.
Speed bumps and other traffic-calming measures are under the jurisdiction of ACHD. Residents can request this on their website at: https://www.achdidaho.org/projects/propose-a-project/traffic-calming
Impact fees paid to ACHD support road improvements across Ada County. While these funds are not restricted solely to Star, they contribute to regional infrastructure that ultimately benefits our community. The City of Star continues to advocate for funding and projects that prioritize our area, ensuring that Star’s growing needs are met and that we receive our fair share of resources for transportation improvements.
To cover the ongoing costs of police and fire services in Star, it’s essential to address the challenges posed by current budgetary constraints. House Bill 389 caps city budget increases at 8%, which is problematic for rapidly growing cities like Star, with annual growth exceeding 20%. While increased tax revenue from growth helps fund some services, it is insufficient to meet the rising demand for public safety infrastructure and personnel.

The City of Star has implemented temporary solutions, such as a safety mitigation fee on developers, to help bridge the gap. However, these measures are not long-term solutions. Star is actively advocating for the creation of Public Safety Improvement Districts, a funding mechanism tied directly to growth. These districts would allow cities like Star to secure sustainable funding for police and fire services without overburdening existing taxpayers.

The City of Star remains committed to ensuring that public safety standards are maintained and continues to work toward legislative changes that address the needs of growing communities like ours.
The future of the amenities would be based on the HOA’s set-up and legal structure.
From Star Police Chief Hessing:

No
The Idaho Transportation Department (ITD), Ada County Highway District (ACHD), the City of Eagle, and Ada County are all working jointly on this project, with ITD taking the lead. The City of Star has been actively advocating and pushing for this much-needed improvement. Currently, ITD is in the process of acquiring the right of way, and the goal is to have the traffic signal installed by the end of 2025.
The recent price increase was essential to fund the upgrades and expansion of the wastewater treatment plant, and currently, there are no plans to lower these rates. The cost of sewer and water services in Star remains competitive when compared to other agencies across Idaho. It's important to note that Star Sewer and Water is a separate agency and taxing district from the City of Star, with its own board of directors like Star Fire and Star Cemetery. A portion of your property taxes goes to support the operations of Star Sewer and Water. Rate decisions and adjustments are made by this agency, not the city.
The city doesn’t actively choose which businesses come to Star. Instead, it’s up to businesses to approach us when they’re interested in locating here. If a business proposal aligns with our comprehensive plan and city code, it may proceed with construction. If it falls outside the comprehensive plan and city code, then a public hearing is held where community input is considered, and the city council votes on the proposal.

Trader Joe's tends to open locations in cities with larger populations, typically ranging from around 50,000 to over 200,000 residents. A population of 20,000, like Star, might be considered too small to attract Trader Joe's. However, we encourage you to reach out to them directly and request a store on their website at: https://www.traderjoes.com/home/contact-us/request-a-store
The City of Star is responsible for streetlights only within the central business district on State Street. In other areas, streetlights are installed by developers and then maintained by the HOA. The city has specific lighting standards that all new projects must follow to ensure appropriate lighting for residents. For more information, you can refer to our city code on streetlight specifications. The city also has dark sky guidelines that projects must adhere to.
Several agencies are involved in ensuring that the requirements outlined in the development agreements are met during the process. The City Council approves the agreements, and from there, the following agencies provide oversight:
- ACHD (Ada County Highway District) or ITD (Idaho Transportation Department) review and oversee road construction.
- Star Sewer & Water manages sewer and water-related aspects of the project.
- On the city side, the Planning & Building Departments and City Engineers conduct inspections throughout the building process to ensure compliance with city, state, and national building codes, as well as adherence to the specific conditions outlined in the development agreement.
This collaborative approach ensures that all aspects of the development meet the necessary standards and requirements.
From Star Police Chief Hessing:
1. Place the radar trailer on Munger Road for a few weeks to bring people’s attention to the speed of the road.
2. Perform more directed patrols on Munger to enforce speed limits and make traffic stops.
3. Work with ACHD to get a speed limit sign that shows the speeds of vehicles. (This will help with people being reminded how fast they are going, and it also gets people to slow down because people walking nearby or driving can also see their speed and they lose anonymity of their speed). Please have all people who are noticing the issue of speeding on this road reach out to ACHD and request the electronic speed limit sign. The more voices heard, the better chance we get one sooner.
The water quality at Freedom Park's ponds is monitored through weekly E. Coli testing during the warmer months, as required by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). These tests are conducted at various locations in both the West and East ponds. While there is no active filtration system, the ponds consistently meet the DEQ's water quality standards for public safety.

The water in the ponds comes from ground water and is constantly being replenished. Water levels will naturally fluctuate in response to changes in the Boise River levels.

Water quality test results are posted on the City of Star’s website and can be accessed at Water Quality Report for Freedom Park Ponds.
The impact fee for a single-family residential home in Ada County is $3,493. In Canyon County is $5,050. For a complete list of the various impact fees for Ada County please visit https://www.achdidaho.org/projects/development-resources/impact-fees. In Canyon County the fees may be viewed at https://hwydistrict4.org/about-us/what-we-do/impact-fees/.
The estimated population of Star is around 20,000 as of 2024 per COMPASS.
The annexation and zoning request for the Willowbrook development was approved; however, no further actions have been taken. The developers have not submitted a preliminary plat or any additional plans since the initial approvals.
The City of Star values landscaping as an important part of maintaining our natural beauty and enhancing the community's aesthetic. Our current city code already includes landscaping requirements, as well as an architectural overlay district, which helps guide the design of new developments. If residents would like to see changes or additions to these requirements, the best way to have their voices heard is to participate in public hearings. When updates to the city code are being considered, these hearings provide an opportunity to testify and suggest specific changes, such as increased landscaping or tree planting, to help soften the impact of commercialization.
There are two major projects on Star Road included in ACHD’s Integrated Five-Year Work Plan (IFYWP):
1. Star Rd, Main St / SH 44 (State St) – This project will enhance pedestrian facilities, including a pedestrian bridge, upgraded crossings, and improved street lighting. Construction is expected in 2026, with a total project cost of $1,837,000.
2. Star Rd, US 20/26 (Chinden Blvd) / SH 44 (State St) – This corridor improvement includes widening Star Rd to five lanes and adding bike and pedestrian facilities. The total project cost is $37,765,000, with design anticipated between 2025-2026.
Although the City of Star advocates for these improvements, ACHD oversees the design and funding. For the latest updates and timelines, you can visit ACHD’s website at this link. We encourage Star residents to advocate for these projects on ACHD’s website.
One county cannot annex another county per state statute, nor does Star have a proposal to align solely with one county. The city will continue to coordinate with both Ada and Canyon counties as it grows, ensuring services align with community needs.
The proposed open space will feature natural trails with unpaved paths, and horses will be allowed. However, it's unlikely that we will restrict pedestrians from using these trails, as we are focused on promoting a walkable city that encourages fitness and outdoor pathways for all. What will be prohibited, though, are motorized vehicles, including golf carts, UTVs, and motorcycles, to maintain the natural integrity of the space.
From Star Fire Chief Greg Timinsky

Unfortunately, due to legislative changes in 2020 (House Bill 389), taxing districts are no longer authorized to increase their annual budget authority at the same rate as the growth they are experiencing. The maximum increase to an authorized budget authority for cities, counties and special taxing districts is 8%. This creates a significant financial challenge for rapidly growing communities like Star, where growth rates are near 20% annually and local taxing district budget increases are capped at the 8%. Essentially, the new growth is now contributing to a portion of the amount of property taxes previously paid by the existing property owners.

Star Fire is a separate taxing district and relies solely on property taxes for funding their annual operating budget. New growth pays an Impact Fee when they pull building permits, these are a onetime payment, they are restricted funds and can only be used for facilities and equipment needed to serve the new growth. Prior to the legislative changes, the allowed increase in annual budget authority would have been enough to pay for the ongoing annual operations and staffing costs related to those new stations.

To help bridge this gap, our mayor created a temporary solution by charging developers a safety mitigation fee. This innovative approach generates additional funding and is intended to help cover staffing costs in the interim as the community grows and until the budget authority catches up. However, currently the only way to increase the annual budget authority from property taxes is for constituents to pass a levy increase. The Fire District continues to work with the legislature to find a solution for the future and they will continue to work with the public to provide information on the funding shortfall and explore long-term solutions to ensure adequate staffing and maintain emergency service levels, including response times.