North American Cities Implement Data Center Bans and Restrictions
Municipalities across the U.S. and Canada are implementing moratoriums or using zoning laws to block data center development amid infrastructure and land-use concerns.
Local governments across North America are taking divergent approaches to regulate data center development, with several cities extending bans while others rely on existing zoning laws.
In Maine, the Bangor City Council unanimously extended its construction ban for six months to draft regulations following a proposal from Kratos AI. The Saco City Council extended its moratorium by 60 days to assess infrastructure and noise impacts, awaiting a December report from the Maine Data Center Advisory Task Force. These local actions follow Governor Janet Mills' April veto of a statewide ban, prompting multiple Maine municipalities to implement their own restrictions.
In the Midwest, Calumet County officials declined to pass a moratorium, stating that existing zoning ordinances already prohibit data centers as a permissible use. County Administrator Todd Romenesko described the stance as a proactive measure to protect open land, though he noted that cities and villages within the county may maintain separate zoning.
Other urban centers are grappling with specific proposals. In Evanston, Illinois, Mayor Daniel Biss called for a moratorium after Lark Management applied to build a processing center. City Manager Luke Stowe noted that a de facto moratorium is effectively in place because the project requires a city code amendment. Conversely, the Peterborough City Council in Canada rejected a proposed one-year interim control bylaw on AI data centers, opting instead to notify council of future proposals for special review.
