The city of Austin’s land development code is tricky, but in 2013, an Austin developer found a loophole that could benefit those living in the city and some popular neighborhoods.

Austin builder David Whitworth was reading the city’s land development code when he realized that areas of the city could actually benefit from what is called the “small lot amnesty” tool. Small lot amnesty is how neighborhoods can create a plan and outline future developments that allow for the construction and renovation of homes on lots as small as 2,500 square feet and at least 25 feet wide, a sort of loophole around Austin’s minimum lot size requirement of 5,750 square feet.

Austin movers hope that the 20 of 30 neighborhoods that already have small lot amnesty in their plans are a great option for families and young professionals moving to Austin, Texas.

According to an article in the Austin American-Statesman, To Whitworth, the tool is a way to triple the amount of housing on a given plot of land and to build smaller, relatively more affordable units in some of the city’s highly desirable central neighborhoods. His homes have sold in the $400,000s while the area average is $672,817, according to a document Whitworth provided with Multiple Listing Service data.

As amazing as the plan sounds, there are numerous residents who are skeptical and see small lot amnesty as a way for builders to make a ton of profit by adding immense density to areas where it may be unwanted. Small lot amnesty may be a loophole in the city code that could be a way to make living in Austin more affordable for young families, which has local Austin moving companies excited for the future.