An unincorporated city or area is a settlement or region that is not governed by a local municipal corporation. Here are some key characteristics of unincorporated areas:

• Lack of Local Government: Unincorporated areas do not have their own elected officials or government services. They rely on the county or town government for services such as law enforcement, road maintenance, and waste management.

• Not Officially Recognized: Unincorporated areas are not officially recognized as municipalities or incorporated towns or cities.

• Rural or Suburban: Unincorporated areas are often found in rural or suburban areas, away from major cities.

• Lower Taxes: Unincorporated areas usually have much smaller taxes compared to cities because they do not have their own local government to support.

• Fewer Regulations: Unincorporated areas usually have fewer regulations on land use, zoning, and building codes, which can provide more freedom for property owners to build and use their land as they wish.

• Fewer Services: Unincorporated areas often don’t have emergency services like police, fire, or ambulance support present for the community, and when they do exist, they may be costly or take longer to get to you.

To determine if you live in an unincorporated area, you can check your mailing address or look up your property on a map. If your address includes a city or town name, you likely live in an incorporated area. If your address only includes a county name, you likely live in an unincorporated area. Additionally, you can contact your county government office and ask if your property is located in an unincorporated area.