In the U.S.,can there be a private town?

In the United States,are are areas such as clubs, communities,and such that are privately owned and where only members and their invited guests can inhabit.Is it legal for there to be a privately owned town that is off-limits to everyone but official residents and people who are invited?

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cherokeepatti · 61-69, F

I think if it was an unincorporated village maybe it could. I don’t know the laws in every state. If it was all private property and no government funds used for infrastructure it could happen. Thinking of a small island for example.

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cherokeepatti · 61-69, F

@DavidT8899 if the government didn’t pay for the infrastructure they would have no right to make it a public island would they?

DavidT8899 · 22-25, M

@cherokeepatti So the reverse of that is if the government DID pay for it they couldn't.But suppose it was a town that was right next to other public areas.If the town agreed to pay for its own infrastructure within the town limits,could they be private?

cherokeepatti · 61-69, F

@DavidT8899 I have no idea of what the laws are, may vary by state. But anytime the government gets involved you have to go along with their rules.

whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M

Didnt Alec Baldwin and his then wife own a whole town at one time??😷

LeopoldBloom · M

Yes. Leisure World.

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DavidT8899 · 22-25, M

@LeopoldBloom Thank you.To be honest,it's just something I've been curious about.

LeopoldBloom · M

@DavidT8899 There are "closed cities" in Russia which are exactly what you're thinking of - incorporated government units with restricted access. There may be other examples in Argentina, Pakistan, and South Africa.

DavidT8899 · 22-25, M

@LeopoldBloom But I'm pretty sure most Americans wouldn't find them inviting places to live!

DrWatson · 70-79, M

I believe there is one in the suburbs on Minneapolis. But I am not sure of its status as a "town". Obviously, it is for wealthy people. Walter Mondale lived there.

Dolimyte · 41-45, M

Walt Disney World is set up like that.

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Dolimyte · 41-45, M

@DavidT8899 People do live there. There is a literal private city there for the staff of Walt Disney World and Epcot. It's called Bay Lake.

DavidT8899 · 22-25, M

@Dolimyte That's all fine and well,but that's not what I mean.Im talking about a town,by itself-not attached to a resort or public attraction.

Dolimyte · 41-45, M

@DavidT8899 ok, idk then.

Peaceandnamaste · 26-30, F

Military towns on a base.

DrWatson · 70-79, M

@Peaceandnamaste But those are government-owned, are they not? As opposed to privately-owned?

DavidT8899 · 22-25, M

@DrWatson Exactly!

ViciDraco · 41-45, M

I think each state has laws about what qualifies as a town. Theoretically, you could run a private business that purchases a huge swath of land and build a town on it where only authorized individuals are allowed entry. If you otherwise meet state requirements to be considered a town, i don't see why you couldn't set up your own local governance.

These places would still have to respect jurisdiction of county, state and federal law enforcement. So you couldn't have a private town and then break state and federal law within it.

At which point, it kind of becomes a what's the point type scenario. Unless municipal ordinance is really bugging you.

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