Type D · 695 sqft 2-bedroom · Star, ID
The Kestrel ADU in Star
A Kestrel 2-bedroom ADU in Star starts at $245k turnkey and estimates to $1,675–$1,925/mo in rent — about 6.4–9.1% gross yield on a $253k–$315k Standard build. Here's how the 695 sq ft Type D plan fits Star lots, what it costs, and how fast it permits.
- Footprint
- 695 sqft
- From (Essential)
- $245k
- Est. Star rent
- $1,675–$1,925
- Gross yield
- 6.4–9.1%
Why the Kestrel fits Star lots
The Kestrel is one of our top picks for Star. The Kestrel (695 sq ft 2-bed, $245k) is the in-law-suite plan. Two bedrooms, full bath, full kitchen, real living room — enough space that visiting parents or adult kids don't feel like they're living in a guest room. Star's larger lots make the bigger footprint easy to site.
Star lots skew big — 1/2-acre and full-acre lots are common in older sections of town, with newer subdivisions building closer to 80-100' wide. The acreage profile means Star is where homeowners most often build a custom ADU larger than the pre-approved cap (still subject to City of Star code, which caps similarly to Boise). Lots adjacent to Star Road and the Highway 44 corridor are the most utility-ready.
Detached vs. garage in Star: Detached almost always wins in Star. Lots are large enough that any pre-approved plan fits without setback gymnastics. Garage conversions are less common because newer Star construction lacks the detached garages that make conversions natural, and the homeowners on older Star lots typically want a separate accessory dwelling rather than to give up garage space. The Kestrel is a frequent Star pick because the rural-fringe rental market supports larger units well.
What does a Kestrel cost to build in Star?
The Kestrel starts at $245k turnkey at Essential finish. Most Star owners build at Standard finish — $253k–$315k. Star's half-acre-to-two-acre lots along Beacon Light and Highway 44 give the most siting flexibility in the metro. Rent runs mid-pack; the win is space, not rent ceiling.
| Finish Tier | Per sqft | 695 sqft in Star |
|---|---|---|
| Essential | $340/sqft | $213k – $265k |
| Standard | $405/sqft | $253k – $315k |
| Premium | $480/sqft | $300k – $374k |
Methodology: per-sqft rates match our cost calculator (Essential $340, Standard $405, Premium $480) with a 0.9–1.12 range factor for lot conditions. Build cost is roughly uniform across the Treasure Valley; what changes city-to-city is land, fees, the size cap, and the rent ceiling. See the full Star cost breakdown →
What rent and return does a Kestrel earn in Star?
A 2-bedroom ADU like the Kestrel estimates to $1,675–$1,925/month in Star. Against a Standard-finish build of $253k–$315k, that's roughly 6.4–9.1% gross yield — about $21,600 a year in gross rent at the midpoint, before expenses and financing.
Monthly rent (est.)
$1,675–$1,925
2-bedroom · Star
Annual gross (mid)
$21,600
12 × midpoint rent
Gross yield
6.4–9.1%
rent ÷ Standard build
Rent is scaled from Star's sourced 1-bedroom median (Apartment List / Zillow Star ID, 2026) by unit size — a disclosed estimate, not a measured comp for this exact plan. Gross yield ignores vacancy, expenses, and debt service. This is information, not financial advice; validate with a local property manager before you build.
Permits and timeline for a Kestrel in Star
Star is Ada County's fastest-growing small city. Large lots make plan placement easy, but confirm well/septic vs. city service for your specific parcel.
Star's UDC permits accessory dwellings on most residential lots, with rules pulled largely from Ada County's accessory-dwelling base code. Larger lots get more flexibility; in-town lots and design-review subdivisions get tighter scrutiny. Septic and well placement drive the site plan more than zoning does on most acreages.
The Kestrel is part of the City of Boise's pre-approved plan set, so it comes as a complete, already-engineered set of construction documents. That gives you a running start on review in Star (Ada County) — each city applies its own process, but a finished plan set clears review faster than a custom design.
The other 5 pre-approved plans in Star
Each pre-approved plan carries its own cost, rent, and lot fit in Star. Compare the full set for this city.
Type A · 280 sqft
Goldfinch in Star
The smallest pre-approved Boise ADU plan — a 280 sq ft studio that fits the tightest lots and the cleanest budgets.
$115k · est. $1,100–$1,275/mo →
Type B · 396 sqft
Waxwing in Star
A 396 sq ft studio with more breathing room — full living, kitchen, and bath in a thoughtfully laid-out single space.
$135k · est. $1,100–$1,275/mo →
Type C · 491 sqft
Kingfisher in Star
Boise's pre-approved 491 sq ft one-bedroom — separate bedroom, full kitchen, full living room, ready to permit.
$170k · est. $1,300–$1,500/mo →
Type G-1 · 396 sqft
Sandpiper in Star
A 396 sq ft studio paired with a single-car garage — pre-approved, dual-purpose, builds your storage and your rental in one footprint.
$145k · est. $1,100–$1,275/mo →
Type G-2 · 376 sqft
Osprey in Star
Sister plan to the Sandpiper — 376 sq ft studio with garage, a different layout, same pre-approved status.
$140k · est. $1,100–$1,275/mo →
The Kestrel in nearby Treasure Valley cities
Same plan, different local rent, cost, and zoning. See how the Kestrel pencils out a short drive away.
Kestrel in Star — frequently asked
How much does a Kestrel ADU cost in Star?
The Kestrel (695 sq ft, Type D) starts around $245k turnkey at Essential finish in Star. Most Star owners build at Standard finish — roughly $253k to $315k. Per-square-foot build cost is close to the Boise baseline; star's half-acre-to-two-acre lots along Beacon Light and Highway 44 give the most siting flexibility in the metro. Rent runs mid-pack; the win is space, not rent ceiling.
What can you rent a Kestrel for in Star?
A 2-bedroom ADU like the Kestrel in Star estimates to about $1,675–$1,925 per month, scaled from Star's sourced 1-bedroom rent (Apartment List / Zillow Star ID, 2026). On a Standard-finish build that's roughly 6.4–9.1% gross yield. These are estimates, not a rent guarantee — confirm with a local property manager.
How long does it take to permit a Kestrel in Star?
Star is Ada County's fastest-growing small city. Large lots make plan placement easy, but confirm well/septic vs. city service for your specific parcel. The Kestrel is a complete City of Boise pre-approved plan set, so you start with finished, already-engineered construction documents — that shortens review in every Treasure Valley city versus a custom design, even though each city applies its own process.
Does the Kestrel fit Star's ADU size limit?
Almost always. At 695 sq ft the Kestrel is a compact footprint — Boise caps ADUs at 900 sq ft, and most Treasure Valley cities set their own limit (often a share of the primary home's floor area). The Kestrel sits well under the typical cap, so in Star size is rarely the constraint — lot dimensions, setbacks, and access usually decide placement. We confirm Star's exact size rule for your parcel during the free lot check.
Star, Idaho · Type D
Build the Kestrel in Star
Free 24-hour lot check covering plan fit, your Star zoning, cost, and the rent it could carry. Or call (208) 297-2036.