An area lacks a municipal corporation that provides local governance, and administrative services directly to its residents. Instead, these regions fall under the jurisdiction of a higher-level entity, such as a county or a state. For instance, a cluster of homes and businesses in a rural area might rely on the county government for road maintenance, law enforcement, and zoning regulations, rather than having a dedicated town council or mayor.
This arrangement can offer certain advantages. Residents may experience lower property taxes due to the absence of an additional layer of municipal government. Furthermore, individuals might appreciate the flexibility in zoning and land-use regulations, allowing for more diverse development possibilities. Historically, the formation of these regions often arose from sparsely populated areas where establishing a separate municipal government was deemed unnecessary or economically unfeasible.