U.S. Localities Diverge on New Data Center Zoning Restrictions

Local governments across the United States are implementing contrasting strategies to manage the growth of data centers. In Maine, Limerick Township supervisors unanimously adopted amendments on July 7, 2026, to tighten zoning ordinances. The new rules reduce maximum building heights from 129 feet to 80 feet and increase residential setbacks from 400 feet to 1,000 feet. Additionally, the township now mandates annual noise studies, closed-loop cooling systems, and the creation of decommissioning funds covering 110 percent of demolition costs.

Conversely, the Fort Worth Zoning Commission in Texas voted 7-4 on Wednesday to reject proposed restrictions that would have limited data centers to industrial zones and banned cryptocurrency mining as a primary use. The rejected measures sought to establish 250-foot residential setbacks and ban standby generators near homes. Despite this vote, the Fort Worth City Council will hold a work session on August 4 and is expected to vote on the policy changes on August 11.

These local debates reflect broader regional concerns. In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott has identified data center regulation as a priority for the 2027 legislative session to prevent industry costs from reaching consumers. This follows reports from the Electric Reliability Council of Texas that data centers comprise approximately 87% of 410 gigawatts in large load requests.