Star Farms at Lakewood Ranch: Village Profile, Homes, Fees and Amenities

Where is Star Farms?

Star Farms is in the Manatee County part of Lakewood Ranch, Florida (Manatee and Sarasota counties), south of State Road 64 off Bourneside Boulevard. Homes use Lakewood Ranch addresses in ZIP code 34211. Because the village is north of University Parkway, the county line, homes are assessed by the Manatee County Property Appraiser and served by the School District of Manatee County.

To reach it from Interstate 75, Perry Homes’ directions take Exit 220 east on State Road 64 for about 8 to 9 miles, through the traffic circles, then right onto Bourneside Boulevard. That puts Star Farms in the newer eastern part of Lakewood Ranch, farther from the interstate than the older villages near I-75.

For drive times to Sarasota, Tampa, the beaches and the airports, see our guide to Lakewood Ranch’s location and commutes. Add a few extra minutes from Star Farms compared with villages closer to I-75.

How big is Star Farms and how did it start?

Star Farms was announced in December 2020 as a 700-acre, 1,500-home gated village and has since grown to about 1,300 acres and 2,800 planned homes. The developer was Forestar Group, a residential lot developer majority-owned by D.R. Horton. Forestar broke ground on March 23, 2021, and at the time planned to introduce builders that summer and start building model homes in early fall 2021.

The original pitch was a “resort ranch hometown” for several generations at once: parents, children, retirees and singles. That is why the village mixes townhomes, attached villas and single-family homes from entry-level to luxury, rather than one product type.

The expansion includes Saddlestone at Star Farms, a neighborhood on the parcel to the east. RVi, the firm that did the master planning and landscape architecture, says Forestar acquired that parcel after Star Farms sold well, and that Saddlestone adds shared amenities and extends the trail network.

Star Farms at a glance	Figure
County	Manatee
Size	About 1,300 acres (700 acres in the original 2021 plan)
Planned homes	2,800 (1,500 in the original plan)
Groundbreaking	March 23, 2021
Home sizes	About 1,463 to 5,000 sq ft (developer); Perry Homes lists up to 5,800
Gated	Yes
Ages	All ages

Who builds in Star Farms and what do homes cost?

Four builders sell in Star Farms in 2026, with builder prices from the $300,000s for townhomes to more than $3 million for the largest single-family homes. The developer lists D.R. Horton, Homes by WestBay, John Cannon Homes and Perry Homes.

Home type	Builder “from” prices (developer, Oct 2026)	Notes
Townhomes	From the $300,000s	Lowest entry price in the village
Attached villas	High $300,000s	Paired villas
Single-family	$400,000s to $3 million+	Wide range by builder and lot width
Perry Homes, 90-foot lots	From $1.3 million	3,100 to 5,800 square feet (Perry Homes, 2026)

These are builder starting prices for new construction, as published in October 2026. Options, lot premiums and upgrades often add a meaningful amount, and prices change month to month. Resale homes are another option as earlier phases are finished. Our Lakewood Ranch housing market report tracks current numbers, and our guide to new construction vs resale compares the two ways to buy.

What are the HOA and stewardship district fees in Star Farms?

The developer publishes HOA dues of $250 to $360 a month, and a separate Lakewood Ranch Stewardship District assessment appears on the yearly property tax bill.

The developer notes that maintenance is included; ask the builder or the HOA exactly what that covers (lawn care, irrigation, exterior painting or none of these) for the home you want, because it varies by neighborhood and home type.

Star Farms is financed through the Lakewood Ranch Stewardship District, which has two Star Farms bond series, from 2021 and 2024. The fiscal 2026 schedule lists yearly per-home amounts (debt plus maintenance, before discounts) like these:

Lot type	2021 bond	2024 bond
Family townhome	$551	$758
Family single-family, 40-foot lot	$905	$1,211
Family single-family, 60-foot lot	$1,023	$1,363
Multi-generational single-family, 60-foot lot	$1,609	$2,017
Multi-generational single-family, 90-foot lot	$1,946	$2,543

The schedule also lists a Northeast Sector bond area (Phase 2B) that includes Star Farms parcels, at $1,145 a year. Whether a given home pays it depends on the parcel. The only reliable number is the one on the latest tax bill for that address. Our guide to CDD fees in Lakewood Ranch explains how to read the bill.

What amenities does Star Farms have?

Star Farms spreads its amenities across four resort-style campuses linked by trails, with pools, a fitness center, a cafe, a bar, sports courts and pet parks. The developer lists:

• Pools and spas on the campuses
• A performance complex and fitness center
• A cafe, clubhouses and a palm bar
• Tennis, pickleball and basketball courts
• Flex lawns for events
• Pet parks and a tot lot
• Trails and green space
• An on-site lifestyle director

RVi’s project notes add bocce, a playground with a planned splash pad, multiple dog parks, and a greenway that keeps mature live oaks along the trails and lake banks. Spreading the amenities across four campuses, instead of one large clubhouse, puts them in several parts of the village.

Residents can also use the wider community’s parks and trails; see our guide to parks, trails and nature preserves and our dog parks guide.

Which schools serve Star Farms?

Star Farms is in the School District of Manatee County, and builder listings in the village name schools such as B.D. Gullett Elementary, Dr. Mona Jain Middle and Lakewood Ranch High. Perry Homes lists those three schools for its 90-foot-lot neighborhood in 2026.

Zoning can differ between neighborhoods in a large village, and it may change soon. Manatee’s new Rangeland High School, an 85-acre campus at Rangeland Parkway and Post Boulevard, opens in August 2027 with 9th and 10th graders, and new boundaries could move some Lakewood Ranch students. Confirm any address with the district’s school locator before you buy. Our Lakewood Ranch schools guide lists each school and its latest state grade.

What does a year in Star Farms cost?

Budget for the mortgage, Manatee County property tax, the stewardship district assessment, HOA dues and insurance.

Cost	What to expect	Where to check
HOA dues	$250 to $360 a month (published range)	HOA disclosure summary and budget
Stewardship district assessment	About $551 to $2,543 a year in fiscal 2026, by lot and bond	Latest tax bill for the parcel
Property tax	Based on assessed value and Manatee millage	Manatee County Property Appraiser
Insurance	Depends on roof, construction year and flood zone	Quotes before you sign

If you will live here full time, file for the Florida homestead exemption to lower the property tax bill. New construction usually helps on insurance, but check the flood zone anyway; our hurricanes, flooding and insurance guide explains what to ask. For a full monthly budget, see our cost of living breakdown.

Who is Star Farms best for?

Star Farms suits families and multigenerational households who want a gated village with lots of amenities, moderate HOA dues and a wide spread of home prices.

It works well if you:

• Have school-age children and want pools, courts and a playground close to home
• Want a townhome or villa as a first purchase in Lakewood Ranch, from the $300,000s
• Want a large luxury home on a wide lot without moving to a custom-home village
• Are buying near grandparents or adult children, since the village mixes home sizes

It is a weaker fit if you want a 55+ community (see our 55+ communities guide), golf built into the village (see Lakewood National or Calusa Country Club), or a short drive to I-75 and a walkable town center (see Waterside). Our village comparison puts Star Farms next to every other village.

What should I check before buying in Star Farms?

Check the builder, the lot’s assessments, the HOA budget and the school zone for the exact address.

1. Builder and lot. Four builders sell different products. Compare included features, lot premiums, warranty terms and build timelines side by side.
2. Stewardship district assessment. Look up the parcel on the Manatee County Property Appraiser and tax collector sites, and ask the builder which bond series covers the lot.
3. HOA documents. Get the HOA disclosure summary, current budget and rules, including what “maintenance included” covers and any limits on rentals, fences or pools.
4. Schools. Confirm zoning with the district, and ask whether Rangeland High’s opening could change it.
5. Flood zone and drainage. Check the address on FEMA’s flood map and ask the builder for the lot’s elevation.
6. Construction stage. If nearby phases are still being built, ask how long construction traffic will run on your street.

Our guide to renting before you buy is a low-risk way to try the village first. When you are ready, the real estate hub explains how to choose an agent who knows the newer villages and can represent you with a builder.