Elon Musk’s SpaceX operations in southern Texas have officially transitioned into the newly incorporated city of Starbase. Local residents cast their votes in favor of this development during an election held on Saturday, with a substantial majority supporting the measure. Out of 283 eligible voters, primarily SpaceX employees, 212 voted in favor of the incorporation, while only six opposed it. Following the results, Musk took to his social media platform X to celebrate, stating, “Starbase, Texas is now a real city!”
The newly designated city spans approximately 1.6 square miles (3.9 square kilometers) and was largely uninhabited prior to SpaceX’s acquisition of land in the area starting in 2012. As a municipality, Starbase will be governed by a mayor and two commissioners who will oversee local planning, taxation, and other community affairs. Despite this progress, some nearby residents have voiced concerns about the environmental impact of SpaceX’s operations in the region.
Starbase’s governance and local opposition
In recent years, the presence of SpaceX has led to the development of company housing and facilities, with Musk himself residing in the vicinity. Notable landmarks include Memes Street and a large bust of Musk, which has recently faced vandalism. Current estimates suggest that around 500 individuals live in the nearby area.
The idea of incorporating Starbase as a city has been in discussion for years, but it was not until a petition was filed in December 2024 that a vote could take place. Bobby Peden, a vice president at SpaceX, will serve as the city’s inaugural mayor, having run unopposed. Two other residents affiliated with SpaceX will join him as commissioners.
Regulatory implications and environmental concerns
Starbase is classified as a Type C city, which is defined as a municipality with fewer than 5,000 residents. This classification allows local officials to impose a property tax of up to 1.5%, as outlined by the Texas Municipal League. A pending bill in the Texas state legislature may grant Starbase officials the authority to restrict access to Boca Chica Beach and Boca Chica State Park during rocket launches, shifting management from Cameron County, which currently oversees closure protocols.
This potential shift in authority has sparked contention, particularly as SpaceX seeks to ramp up its launch frequency from five to as many as 25 annually. Cameron County Judge Eddie Trevino Jr. has expressed opposition to the state bill that would enable Starbase to control highway closures.
In recent years, Musk has relocated many of his businesses and headquarters from California to Texas, citing a preference for the state’s regulatory environment over the politically liberal policies of California. Notably, his companies X and Boring now have their headquarters near Bastrop, a small city located approximately five and a half hours north of Starbase. This new development contrasts with Starbase’s rapid growth, as the area around Austin has seen limited new housing for employees, who generally reside in Bastrop or surrounding communities.
Environmental advocates have raised alarms about the impact of SpaceX’s activities on local wildlife, as well as increased light pollution and litter from rocket launches. In 2024, the company faced fines totaling nearly $150,000 from the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality for improper waste disposal. SpaceX has characterized these penalties as stemming from “disagreements over paperwork” and asserts that it adheres to all environmental regulations. The company did not respond to requests for comment.