The Data Center Divide
A policy snapshot ahead of the 2026 midterms. Mapping data center incentives, restrictions, and bans through legislation, regulations, and executive actions across all 50 states and 1,462 local jurisdictions.
City of Glendale
Anti-Data Center Policies
Glendale allows data centers in some commercial and industrial districts only with a conditional use permit, while barring them in others. Permit review and a required parking study may add costs and delays.
current law · City of GlendaleRegulates data centers through zoning controls and conditional-use review.Arizona Glendale Unified Development Code, Chapter 35 (data-center provisions)
What this means
Data centers could be built in some commercial and industrial districts, but they would need a conditional use permit and would be barred in other districts (zoning use table). The permit review and required parking study could add costs and delays (parking requirement).
People behind it
- Mayor Jerry P. WeiersWebsite
Identified as mayor in the ordinance’s adoption and approval by the Mayor and Council. Mayor Jerry P. Weiers
- City of Glendale Council
Passed and adopted the ordinance replacing the 1993 Zoning Ordinance with the Unified Development Code. PASSED%2C%20ADOPTED%20AND%20APPROVED
- Julie K. Bower
As City Clerk, was instructed to forward a certified copy of the ordinance to the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office. forward a certified copy
Restrictions & requirementsHide restrictions & requirements3
Data centers are prohibited in C-1 and PR districts. They are conditional uses in C-2, C-3, B-P, M-1, and M-2 districts, and uses not listed in other districts are prohibited. (Data Center use table; unlisted uses are prohibited)
In districts where data centers are conditional uses, applicants must obtain approval after a Planning Commission hearing. The Commission may deny the application, impose conditions addressing impacts—including operating hours and methods—or set a time limit for the permit. (conditional uses require a public hearing; conditions may regulate hours of operation)
Data centers require a Parking Justification Study instead of a fixed parking ratio. The study may require professional traffic and parking analysis, and the applicant pays its cost if the City requires one. (Data Center parking requirement; study prepared at the applicant’s cost)
Benefits & exceptionsHide benefits & exceptions3
The code recognizes data centers as a land use and allows them with a conditional use permit in the C-2, C-3, B-P, M-1, and M-2 districts. They are prohibited in C-1 and PR districts. Data Center
Applicants may submit a parking justification study so the city can assess parking needs for the specific project instead of applying a fixed parking ratio. The study must support its estimates and is subject to city review; a reduction is not guaranteed. Data Center
A data center lawfully operating under prior zoning rules may qualify as a legal nonconforming use if later zoning makes it nonconforming, allowing it to continue and change ownership. It may not expand or increase in intensity, and if it ceases operation for six months, it may be re-established only if it conforms to current rules. lawfully conducted under County zoning regulations
Sources
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