Prohibit or Restrict Data Center Development

Towns, cities, and counties can issue ordinances that ban the construction of new data centers, prohibit the expansion of existing data centers, moratorium or restrict data center growth.

Note: Limiting or restricting data centers dovetails closely with zoning requirements, since many of the possible actions to directly limit or restrict where and how data centers can be built include limiting siting, setback rules, and distance requirements.

Strong example

Monterey Park, CA, passed an ordinance that banned all data center development in the city in the zoning code and amended the City General Plan to prohibit data centers citywide.

example

Nashville, TN, passed comprehensive data center regulations that establish multiple categories of data centers by megawatt capacity, prohibit data centers larger than 100MW, and subjects data centers proposals of 5MW to 100MW to increasingly strict requirements including a conditional use or special exception zoning application process, public hearings, and limiting developments to industrial zones.

Strong example

Data centers were banned in the Beltline Overlay District in Atlanta, Georgia.

Strong Example

Groton, Connecticut, instituted a ban on data centers larger than 12,500 square feet.