SpaceX's new company town considers adopting NIMBY zoning code

Residents of unincorporated villages near SpaceX's launch facility in Southern Texas have voted to incorporate as the new city of Starbase, Texas .

The city's draft zoning code would allow single-family homes, duplexes, and townhomes anywhere in its mixed-use district by right.

This is a major improvement on the standard zoning code's strict separation of residential and commercial uses.

Starbase's draft code still includes many restrictions typical of modern zoning regimes.

It would require a 4,000 square foot minimum lot size for single-family homes and duplexes.

The code would also create maximum lot coverage rules, which would make residential development on smaller lots infeasible.

Building a triplex or a small apartment building would require obtaining a special-use permit.