SpaceX’s Starbase city is getting its own court

Starbase wants its own municipal court

SpaceX's company town of Starbase, Texas, is moving to establish its own municipal court. The city administrator submitted a proposed ordinance to create the court during a commission meeting on Wednesday.

The plan calls for a part-time judge, prosecutor, and court clerk. Starbase's mayor will serve as judge until a candidate is appointed to a two-year term, with the administrator hoping to have someone ready by next month's meeting.

Building a city from scratch

This is the latest step for the less-than-year-old city to build its own municipal services. Starbase, which sits adjacent to SpaceX's South Texas rocket factory and claims about 580 residents, already has a volunteer fire department and handles its own building permits and inspections.

The city is also creating its own police department after a plan to contract with county sheriff's deputies fell apart. Establishing the police force is expected to take around six months.

Police application reveals new details

During Wednesday's meeting, the commission reviewed the required application to the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement to start the police force. The application provided new data on calls for service in the growing city.

According to the filing, there were 420 calls to law enforcement, 180 calls for fire service, and 140 EMS calls across 2025. The document also noted 353 crashes in the area last year, with over 7,000 vehicles traveling the main highway in and out of Starbase daily.

The city wrote that the Cameron County Sheriff's Office "has not been able to guarantee dedicated law enforcement coverage" and that Starbase's remote location requires rapid response times. "These limitations have raised significant concerns among residents and city leadership," the application states.

Citing SpaceX launches and high expectations

The application directly linked the need for a police force to the presence of SpaceX and the area's demographics. It noted that SpaceX launches, which are expected to increase dramatically, draw many tourists.

"The city’s unique blend of cutting-edge technology and coastal charm, coupled with high median household incomes and rising property values, drives expectations for municipal services, particularly public safety," the city wrote. It also stated the city has "a substantial governmental interest in ensuring the integrity of spaceflight operations occurring within its jurisdiction."

For now, the city is still paying the Cameron County Sheriff’s Department to use its jail facilities, according to meeting paperwork.

Key details from the police application

• 420 calls to law enforcement in Starbase during 2025.
• 7,000+ vehicles travel the main highway (Highway 4) daily.
• 353 crashes documented in the area last year.
• Police department establishment expected to take six months.
• City still using county jail facilities.